Episode 2 Hit the Stage

Hi, I'm Katie B and this is Hit The Stage.

I'm going to be taking a group of budding musicians

and giving them the chance to perform on

the biggest stages we can find.

Budding DJs go from playing their mum and dad's parties

to rocking the decks at major festivals.

Singers from singing hymns in church to performing to sell out crowds.

And songwriters from sharing their songs with no-one

to playing to an audience of thousands.

Are you ready to Hit The Stage? We are!

MUSIC: "Lights On" by Katy B

I've been lucky enough to

make a life out of doing something that I love -

singing and performing.

You may even know some of my hit singles.

And now I'm in Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

Why am I here? Well, it's simple.

This year the city is the UK's first ever City Of Culture

which means there's loads of massive music events

happening all year round

and I'm going to help some local kids to hit the stage.

I won't be doing it alone,

I've got two local musicians to help me out when I'm not around.

Glenn, who loves hitting the stage himself

when he's rocking out with his band.

The spark of creativity that they have

really reignites the spark that you have,

so I'm looking forward to the eight months,

and seeing where this is going to go.

And Jenny who likes to take things a bit more slowly

when she's teaching students how to play the harp or sing.

It's really inspiring to think that these kids really have

so much potential, so I'm really,

really excited to see what they're going to come up with.

We've already met singer/songwriter Hannah

who is struggling to play her own songs in front of people.

And superstar DJ Shay

who has already gone from playing empty rooms

to hitting the stage in front of thousands.

Next - someone else with big music dreams is 16-year-old Micaela.

She sings traditional hymns every Sunday in her local church.

I'm quite strong, so it's important, I mean,

I know it's like a Sunday morning and you've got to get up early

and you would love to sleep on,

but I enjoy it, getting up and getting ready.

You have to look your best,

you can't go your jeans and your trackies

and be like, "I going to sing in the choir today."

You got to look the part, you got to look like a proper performer.

# We gather in this place

# Round the table of the Lord... #

As much as she enjoys her regular gig at the church,

this girl has big dreams.

I have dreams to be a singer, to stand on a stage in front of...

a crowd of thousands, I mean, that's what I go to bed every night

and dream about. I would love that.

Micaela has a fantastic voice,

and needs an opportunity that will really test her.

I think we've found it in one of the great events that is happening

in Derry this year.

Glenn is popping round with some big news.

So, how would you feel playing a gig at the Grand Vintage Ball

in The Venue in front of a couple of thousand people?

The Venue?

The main venue, packed full.

Oh, no, it's The Venue!

The Venue holds 2,000 people

and is the main stage for all City Of Culture events.

Before going to school, Micaela is heading to check it out.

The Grand Vintage Ball is a celebration of the type of music

your grandparents probably listened too

and everyone is encouraged to dress up in their best vintage clothes.

Micaela will be there singing solo in a line-up of stars

from the vintage scene.

What do you think?

Oh, goodness.

Are you having a laugh? It's massive.

What do you think of the view from here?

I honestly think if I think too much about the people out there,

I'll just like, die.

You'll be standing right here belting your song out.

I can't cope right now.

I'm excited. Are you excited?

It's everything I kind of wanted,

but at the same time I'm kind of sceptical and scared about it.

I'll calm myself down and not think about this now

cos I have to go to school

and I'll think about this after three o'clock.

I'll have a wee day dream about this in maths.

So Micaela's been given this fantastic opportunity,

but it's not as easy as just walking out on stage and just singing -

she's going to have to pick a song, rehearse it

and find something to wear in just three weeks,

so there's lots of hard work ahead.

-Are you excited?

-A bit.

But for Hannah, time is up.

The last time we saw her

she was struggling to make it out of the house in time

for her first ever gig.

Hannah! Listen, it's time to go. Are you ready?

She's a brilliant singer/songwriter

who up until now has never played her songs in public,

but all that's about to change.

She's finally made it to her gig where 300 paying customers

are taking their seats to listen to some of the best local artists.

It's an older crowd than she'd like,

but they will be the first people apart from me and her mum

to hear her original songs.

I've got butterflies...and I feel like I'm going to throw up.

There's nothing I love more than just playing music and making music.

So I need to not let the nerves get to me, just...

OBJECT DROPS

Just everything bad that can happen...

I feel is going to happen...

now.

She's 15, she's a singer/songwriter,

so could you please give a warm welcome to Hannah.

APPLAUSE

# Hi, I'm Hannah

# I can't sing that well

# If you told me a secret I'd never tell

# Unless it was to one of my best friends

# Let's get off the subject

# Hi, when I'm all grown up

# I want to rock the stage

# I want to get older but never age

# And I've slight obsession with

# A lazy eyed man named Russell Howard

# Oh, oh, oh

# I'm ma put on a show

# To show you me

# Let you hear my musical autobiography

# Oh... #

I am so pleased, Hannah did so well. It was an amazing performance.

The whole crowd just settled down straightaway when she sat down.

You could hear a pin drop,

everyone was so intrigued with what she had to say through her songs.

# Oh, whoa, oh, oh, whoa. #

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

Class - wasn't it?

Yes, I am actually buzzing now.

I actually like, I am like...

I am on, what do you call it? Cloud nine, I'm so happy.

I'm really pleased, Hannah, well done.

I'm so happy that's over...

Well, I'm not really, I want to do it all again.

I want to do it again.

I knew she'd say that

because performing on stage is such a great experience,

but as Hannah found out it can be a scary one.

Do you know, I used to be such a nervous person when I was younger,

and now I feel a lot more grown up,

I feel like I've matured and I've learnt that

I get more butterflies before I go on stage now

and I get more excited, so your nerves will go in time,

but you wouldn't be normal if you didn't get nervous,

so don't worry about nerves.

I guess you've just got to feel confident

that you know your words and you know your lyrics,

and melodies and stuff,

so that it can just be like second nature to you

and you can just go out there and just really perform it.

Before I go on stage I like to have a little dance,

just like a complete idiot.

I will just be doing all these silly moves to myself,

and everyone's looking at me like "What she doing? She's daft."

But that's me and that's what helps me.

When it is time to go on, I walk on and think, "I can do this,"

positive energy and that's the best thing to get you through your nerves.

So remember, don't worry if you get butterflies. It's normal.

Be prepared. Know you can do what you need to do.

Be positive.

Next up - another Derry kid who loves to sing,

it's 15-year-old Eibhin.

But up until a recent community event,

his family had never heard him properly perform.

We were sitting in the audience

and I was warned not to shout or scream

-or make an exhibition...

-Or all three.

LAUGHTER

And the music started.

I heard the first note and we couldn't speak.

The music's more sort of me main focus,

everything else is just sort of...tolerate.

His school have recognised this focus

and now any time there's a school show or event -

Eibhin is the man they ask to take the mic.

But for this performance...

he doesn't seem to have done his homework.

Writing out me words, because I forgot them.

Eibhin is due on stage in five minutes

and he's still learning his words!

This is not good.

I'll be fine anyway. As soon as I go on stage it will go.

Won't be as jittery or as jumpy or as pace-y.

# Oh, it takes every kind of people... #

When you don't do your homework, people always find out.

Eibhin hasn't prepared properly and it shows.

I've got plans for Eibhin,

but he'll need to improve if he wants to hit the stage

I've got in mind.

But first, I've got something to do.

So, here we are at Hannah's school. I'm about to surprise her.

She has no idea I'm coming to let her know about her next big gig.

I haven't been to school in a while, so here goes.

Hannah's last gig in front of 300 people was a success,

but I feel this girl needs to raise her game and play to a bigger

and younger crowd who will really get her style and lyrics.

I can't wait to tell her what her gig is.

It's definitely going to be the biggest gig of her life.

Hello! How are you?

Sorry to disturb your class, but I'm here to see Hannah.

How are you?

-How are you?

-I'm good, how are you doing?

-Pretty good.

-I'm here to tell you about your next gig.

-OK

Your next big gig. I heard when you played your last gig...

the people there were a little bit older,

so they didn't really appreciate the Harry Stiles jokes and stuff.

-They were a bit ancient, do you know what I mean?

-Yeah.

We've gone and got you another gig

and it's going to be at CBBC Live on the main stage in Leeds

and there's going to be over 4,000 people at this event.

It's a pretty big deal.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

All right, we'll see you later, Hannah, see you soon.

Nice to meet you, girls. See you later.

ALL: Bye!

What!

Like... It's actually so surreal.

Like, it doesn't feel real, it feels like a dream.

It sounds so cheesy, but it does actually feel like a dream.

# The moment I wake up

# Before I put on my make-up

# I say a little prayer for you... #

Micaela is a week into her three week schedule to get ready

to sing in front of 2,000 people at the Grand Vintage Ball.

The vintage song she's chosen is Say A Little Prayer

and Glenn is helping her reach the right notes.

# Please... #

-Ah, blah, blah, blah, I hate that bit.

-What happened?

Half a note too long

and it's, like, really difficult to come down from.

Maybe if you don't put that middle note in? You go...

-And then go...

-OK.

It's up to you. If you find it easier to have that...

I can't do wee triplet notes like that, it's kind of difficult.

# Say I'm in love with you

# Answer my prayer now, baby... #

-You know at the end of each line in the verse?

-Uh-huh.

-You do a natural kind of smile anyway.

-Uh-huh.

I'd just accentuate it a tiny bit,

because the more people see that you're having a good time

-the more likely they're going to accept that...

-OK.

-That was great.

-Thank you.

But I want to see you do it again with a slightly bigger audience...

Certainly.

-Yeah, so I'm going to get your mum and your sister...

-OK.

-..to sit in.

Ah, that's grand.

Hello, sorry to interrupt your TV,

-but could I borrow yous for a few seconds?

-Yeah. Come on in.

-We need an audience, so we do.

-You're my audience.

# Say a little prayer for you

# The moment I wake up... #

She took everything that I said on board,

and was a better performance then in front of her mum

and her sister, you could see she was moving more,

she was smiling more, and it was just straightaway she took it up.

# We never will part

# Oh, I how I love you

# Together, together, that's how it must be

# To live without you

# Would only mean heartbreak for me. #

She may have impressed her mum and sister,

but there's still a lot of practice to do

before she's ready to hit the stage for real.

That's excellent. I got a shock.

Hit The Stage isn't just about individual performances,

I want everyone to work together as a group

and I have a plan about what we can all do. I hope they like it.

Hey, guys, it's Katy.

Sorry I can't I be there with you right now,

I'm in the studio.

Now, I've been thinking long and hard about what we can do to include

everyone's talent.

And I've decided we can make our own unique version of

an iconic song by a local band.

The song is Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol

and I really want you to put your own unique twist on it.

So I am super, super excited, and I hope you are too.

This is a big challenge,

so it's going to take such a lot of hard work - so get to it.

Good luck and I'll see you soon.

The plan is for the group to record a cover version of Chasing Cars

and make a music video that you'll be able to watch on

the CBBC website.

But I'm not sure my choice of song has gone down a storm with everyone.

You all know what the tune is... What's the initial reactions?

It always is playing

when someone gets put out of the X Factor or something.

Everybody keeps saying that they hear it all the time,

so it's played out.

It's just a challenge. Come on, it's not...

Do you not think you can do anything with it?

Like, it has it has potential.

This is what I think... Snow Patrol.

It has potential.

The whole point of this is

we don't want it to sound like Snow Patrol,

we want it to sound like you.

Wise words, Jenny,

the group will now go away and work out

how to make their own version of the song.

You may have noticed that Micaela loves to dress up,

and that's all part of performing, so with just two days to go

before she hits the stage, she's on the hunt for a classic outfit.

There's so much choice, what is a girl to wear?

OK, do we like the bling,

or are we going for something a bit more subtle, a bit more classy?

-Ah...

-Or shall we just try on loads and see what...?

-Try on and see what...

-Yep.

-Yep, that's a definite possibility.

-Yeah.

-No, it's not pretty in pink.

-No.

-It's far from it.

-It's uncomfortable.

It's not you.

-No.

-It's so not you.

Hello.

Oh, that's pretty too.

-I really do like this.

-That's pretty.

Oh, my gosh it's gorgeous.

Isn't that so pretty on her?

I'm just getting that wee gut feeling now.

-Is that the one you feel...?

-Mm-hm.

Oh, that's it, that's the one there.

Is that the one?

Yes, big time, that is the one.

It is stunning on her.

I really love that.

In just two days' time Micaela will be hitting the stage.

But for Eibhin, it's time to find out what City Of Culture event

he'll be involved in.

I love his voice,

and I think the time is right for him to step up to the next level.

I've arranged for him to meet local music legend Phil Coulter.

Phil has performed all over the world with some of the biggest stars

and he might give Eibhin the opportunity to sing in

his major City of Culture concert

alongside another local music legend - Glee star Damian McGinty.

As you might have heard, Phil expects pretty high standards,

that's why he's getting Damian to do it.

So... And obviously yourself, obviously.

LAUGHTER

No pressure.

But because he has such high standards,

he has requested that he has a rehearsal with you.

-How do you feel about it?

-Ahhhh!

-Derry's answer to Simon Cowell.

-Yes.

Too right, Eibhin. Phil has been there and done it all,

he's written Eurovision Song Contest winners

and number one chart hits,

he knows what it takes to make a life out of music.

This might be hard for you, but I want you to,

just off the bat without any piano,

I want you to sing me something right now.

OK, any requests?

Whatever you're comfortable with, whatever you think you can sing

with fluidity and in tune, preferably.

Preferably.

# I set out on a narrow way

# Many years ago

# Hoping I would find true love along the broken road

# But I got lost the time or two

# Wipe my brow and kept pushing through

# I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you. #

OK. You probably pitched that a bit high.

It was OK.

No, it wasn't OK because you were a bit flat on the top,

-because you pitched it too high.

-Yeah, OK.

And that's something which you'll have to learn.

Not only about pitching the right key,

but when it's not right, it's not right.

Did I hear that on a previous airing that you forgot your words?

I forget, yeah.

You see, that, at the level we're talking about,

the level that you want to aspire to - that is unforgivable.

I'm going to give you a chance.

I'm going to give you a chance to be part of these concerts

that we're doing with the Ulster Orchestra in The Venue.

Now, I'll tell you what I want you to do...

and on the day, or the day before when we're doing rehearsals

and we're doing sound checks et cetera,

I'll decide how much preparation you've done,

how hard you've worked and I'll decide

if you're good enough to carry that shot through

and how much I'm going to give you to sing.

So the ball's in your court.

The song that I want you to be part of is a new song that I've written -

A Bright Brand New Day.

# Sing it out, sing it clear

# Sing it so the world can hear

# It's a bright brand new day. #

-How much of that tune do you remember?

-Oh, ho, ho.

That's your homework, kiddo.

Learn that inside out.

Phew, I think he's even scarier than Simon Cowell.

Eibhin had better do his homework on this one.

Oh, my God!

Oh, my God!

It's the night of Micaela's performance

and a budding star deserves some star treatment.

I've sent a limo to whisk her to The Venue in style.

We weren't expecting this.

We were going to get a taxi, but we got a limo instead.

Thousands of people are already dancing the night away

and Micaela's Hit The Stage pal Hannah has turned up

in her best vintage gear to support her.

This is Micaela's big moment, she has got the song,

she has got the look, but can she deliver to the expectant crowd?

So just remember everything, just smile,

-nice movements and make sure you enjoy yourself.

-OK.

-Feel good?

-Yeah, feel good.

CHEERING

# Say a little prayer for you

# The moment I wake up

# Before I put on my make-up

# I say a little prayer for you

# While combing my hair now

# And wondering what dress to wear now

# I say a little prayer for you

# For ever, for ever you'll stay in my heart

# And I will love you

# For ever and ever we never will part

# Oh, how I love you

# Together, together that's how it must be

# To live without you

# Would only mean heartbreak for me

# Nobody but me

# For ever and ever

# Will love you

# For ever and ever we never will part

# Oh, how I love you

# Together, together that is how it must be

# To live without you

# Would only mean heartbreak for me

# My darling, believe me

# For me, there is no-one but you

# So please love me too

# Said I'm in love with you

# So answer my prayer now, darling

# And answer my prayer now, darling

# Yeah... #

CHEERING

It's a stunning performance, she made it all look so easy.

Well done, Micaela.

Yes!

I'm pretty buzzing about the whole experience,

Micaela done so, so well.

All the hard work, all the practise just paid off,

and that's what the key thing that I was trying to get across

over these couple of weeks - it's just when you work really hard

at something, you will achieve something from it.

It didn't even seem like it was me.

It just felt like I just walked on and everyone just looked up at me

and I looked down at everybody

and I just felt like a completely different person.

Some of your adoring fans.

-Did you see me dancing?

-I did!

Thank you. Thank you for coming.

-Come here.

-Good girl.

Can I do it again? Go on, please?

Next time - I find out all about Irish music

from fiddle player Conal.

Hannah hits the stage at a major CBBC event.

Hi, everybody, having a good time?

And we find out if Eibhin has done enough to even make it onto stage.

I'm so sorry, I'm really terrified.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd