Exeter to host Our Big Gig events

Exeter will be at the heart of the UK’s biggest free community music festival this July with four events taking place in the city as part of Our Big Gig.

With 170 community events scheduled across England and Scotland over 11-13 July, Our Big Gig will bring people from all backgrounds together to see local artists perform, meet their neighbours and even have a go at making music themselves. 

As an Inspired by 2012 Olympic legacy event, all Our Big Gig events are organised by local organisations, free to attend and will feature over 2,000 volunteers helping to host gigs. With over 7,000 musicians expected to play nationwide, in Exeter the following events are taking place:

Friday 11 July: 4pm-8pm – Exeter Quayside

Organised by the Bridge Collective, the Underground Minifest is part of Our Big Gig weekend happening across the UK and will set the stage for participants of Underground Sound, local projects and artists to connect with families, friends and friends yet to be met though Music! 

Saturday 12 July: 11am - 4pm – Belmont Hut & Park

An interactive music and arts fun day in Belmont Park that will help us raise money to work with local vulnerable people, including people with mental health issues and learning disabilities. The day will have lots of interactive arts and music activities in a day of fun, creativity, laughter and inspiration!

Saturday 12 July: 3pm–10pm – Priory Road Park

Using youth and contemporary master classes and singing taster sessions Polsloe Community Association aims to promote community cohesion between all aspects of our ward bringing together the settled community, those in the rented sector and the student population. This event is supported by Exeter City Council, Exeter Arts Council and Exeter HealthCare Arts.

In 2012 more than 200 community-led performances attracted 200,000 people on the closing day of the Paralympics, and last summer’s Our Big Gig saw over 200,000 people attend free concerts. 

Our Big Gig is organised by not for profit arts organisation Superact, with the Department for Communities and Local Government as the main sponsor. 

Across the country, venues range from skate parks, shopping centres, parks and village greens; to pubs, castles and ferries.  All venues will be open to people of all ages. 

Locations, line ups and details of all 170 events can be found here.

Katharine Lane, Director of Superact said: “Just as football is uniting thousands of people this summer at the World Cup, so too will music and we hope Our Big Gig will again offer a unique way for communities to come together.”

Janie Orr, Universal Music Group International, Corporate Social Responsibility head comments: "Our Big Gig is a fantastic platform for aspiring and talented musicians to showcase their music within local communities. With music making opportunities for all and a wide variety of musical genres being performed, Our Big Gig will support the musicians of tomorrow and entertain all who attend".

Darren Henley of Classic FM said: “For the second year running government, Superact and the music industry have worked together to arrange this huge series of free concerts to bring thousands of people together through music.  This year’s line ups will be the most exciting and diverse we have seen yet.”