Episode 1 Music City

Hi, I'm Katy B and I love music.

And I'm taking a group of Londonderry kids

who all love music too and giving them an opportunity

to perform on the biggest stages I can find.

We take talented young musicians, more used to performing

in their bedrooms, and put them in front of an audience of thousands.

and plenty of passion -

this is Music City.

I'm in Derry, which this year is UK City of Culture.

This means its calendar is packed with world-class events.

The city is determined that Derry's young people

get a chance to be involved, and have created an initiative

called the Music Promise.

As part of that, we scoured Derry's schools

to find 13 keen young musicians to give them the chance

to up their game, work with some of the artists visiting this year...

I'm already liking your hand position, that's very good.

How are you? I'm Amelia.

..and perform on the biggest stages...

I love music myself, and as a recording artist,

I've been lucky enough to be able to make a life out of it.

# I keep on moving with the lights on

# So come on, play me just one more song... #

I can't wait to be involved.

I'd love to be here all year, but I've got gigs and commitments

all over the world, so Derry musicians

Glenn Rosborough and Jenny Grant are here to help me out.

Glenn plays in Wyldling,

one of Northern Ireland's most promising bands.

The spark of creativity they have really reignites the spark

that you have, so I'm really looking forward to the eight months,

and seeing where this is going to go.

And Jenny is a leading Derry harpist and music teacher.

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.

Time to get out there and meet them. First up is Hannah.

# I don't care!

# I love it!

# I don't care! #

When it comes to music, this 15-year-old really gives it some.

She's got a big personality, with a big talent to match.

I'm loving life!

# California girls We're unforgettable

# Daisy Dukes, bikinis on top... #

She lives for music. Up until now, she's been playing and performing

cover versions.

But recently, she's started writing her own material.

# I love it! #

But while Hannah looks to have all the confidence in the world,

there is one thing she just can't face...

I always think to play me own song, you know, it's a bit of a risk.

It's always a bit of a risk, like, are they going to like it?

Are they going to, you know, are they going to hate it?

I'm really excited to meet Hannah because, apparently,

she's a brilliant songwriter and I love lyrics.

I love story-telling, so I'm hoping that she sings them for me.

Hello! How are you doing? How's it going? Welcome to Derry!

Oh, thank you very much! I'm Hannah's mammy.

Hi, hello. And this is Hannah. Hello! You're really welcome.

I've heard so much about you! So it's just in here.

Oh, wow! Cool!

Who's this guy with the guitar?

That's my boyfriend. But it's, like, been scrunched up!

Every time we fight, I scrunch it up and throw it under my bed!

And then when we make up, I stick it back up again!

So I heard that you only started showing people your songs

not too long ago? Is that right?

Yep? Would I be able to hear one of your songs?

Um... Please?!

Go on, why don't you go up and show Katy some of your stuff?

Oh, yeah. Yeah? Yeah. Yeah!

OK, all right.

Up until now, the only people who've heard Hannah's songs

have been the pop stars on her walls.

But I think that if she can find the courage to start performing

her own work in public, it could be brilliant for her confidence.

So, it's so mad to have you, like, in my room.

Because, like, I've all your songs on my phone.

And, like, it's just mad that you're, like, sitting here.

Well, hopefully, I'll have some of your songs on my phone soon!

Oh, this is just really crazy, like! So what's this song called, then?

My Musical Autobiography. So...

# 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 a slight obsession

# With a lazy-eyed man called Russell Howard

# Oh-oh-oh-oh

# I'ma put on a show

# To show you me

# Let you hear my musical autobiography

# Oh-oh-oh... #

Her songwriting is great and I love her lyrics,

she's really funny, she's got a lot to say.

And you can really see her identity through her lyrics, you know.

That song couldn't be about anyone else, it was about Hannah.

And I'm glad that she picked that one to play me,

because it really kind of gave me a sense of who she is.

# Oh-oh-oh. #

SHE CHEERS

That's amazing! Thank you.

What an amazing song to just hear everything about you.

That's, like, brilliant. When did you write that song?

A couple of months ago, but I never really played it anywhere.

I was just kind of restricted... just playing in my room.

Yeah. I always just kind of played it, like, in here.

This girl could really go places

and we've got some exciting plans for her.

Someone else with big music dreams is 15-year-old Micaela.

She is a talented multi-instrumentalist.

She also loves her regular opportunity to sing every Sunday in church.

I'm quite strong in my faith, so it's wildly important.

I mean, I know it's like a Sunday morning

and you've got to get up really early.

And, like, the reality is you would love to sleep on!

But, like, I enjoy it, getting up and getting ready.

There's loads of people there, tons of people.

At the beginning, it can be really nerve-racking.

If you made a mistake, you'd be like,

"Oh, dear Lord, no! What have I done?!"

But now it's just, I really do take it in my stride.

And if I make a mistake, well, sure you can't go back and fix it.

I have dreams to be a singer,

I mean, that's what I go to bed every night and dream about.

I would love that.

Well, I can help with this dream. Micaela has a fantastic voice,

and needs an opportunity that will really test her.

Before going to school, Glenn is taking Micaela

to The Venue - the main stage for all this year's events.

Oh, look at this! Are you having a laugh?!

In just three weeks' time, it will host the Grand Vintage Ball,

one of the premier nights on the City of Culture calendar.

I've organised for Micaela to sing a solo spot,

in a line-up of stars from the Vintage Scene.

The event is sold out and 2,000 people are expected.

That is insane! Oh, my God!

I seriously can't get over how massive this place is.

Like, I was scared before, but now I am definitely petrified,

because I really don't want to mess up.

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.

Micaela and Hannah are just two of the 13 young people

I'm going to be working with throughout the year.

So I'm here at The Playhouse this morning to meet the kids

for the first time as a group,

and I can't wait to hear them play their instruments.

SINGING

# You shoot me down, but I won't fall

# I am titanium... #

Hi, guys, it's lovely to meet you!

We've got pianists, singers, DJs and drummers.

Glenn and Jenny have already got the ball rolling.

Not bad! Yeah.

Aw-w!

So this is like the DJ section - you're all together.

Just talking about different set-ups we're using

and stuff like that there, equipment.

Are you all into quite similar music, or is it quite different?

Oh, OK.

It's so exciting to see all these different skills and abilities.

# My time on the outside is over! #

APPLAUSE

But getting to know each other is a two-way street.

Lovely, that's lovely.

Will you sing now, Katy?

Ah! What do you want me to sing?

Keep on moving when the lights is on. Yeah?

You know what, earlier I heard the girls figure out some chords,

so will you go and ask them if they'll play for me?

I've sung his song probably about 3,000 times in my life,

so hopefully, I won't forget the words!

# Cos I will keep on going until they say so

# And even when they do it's so hard for me to go

# While them others at the cloak room

# And some others out the door

# I keep on moving with the lights on

# So come and play me just one more song

# I keep on moving with the lights on

# So you can't scare me with the lights on

# Hey, yeah, yea-a-ah

# I keep on moving with the lights o-o-on! #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

So I've met DJs, singer-songwriters, a harp player, a fiddle player.

The spectrum is so wide, which is brilliant,

because everyone's got their own identity.

So that's really great and everyone can kind of cheer each other on.

So I've just heard you all playing and some of you have just started

learning and some of you have been playing for years.

But I just want to let you know that none of that matters,

because these next couple of months are all about giving you

opportunities that are going to blow your mind,

inspire you and we're just going to have some fun through music.

I'm going to get them to work on a song together,

which they'll perform later in the year.

One member of this talented group is 15-year-old singer Eibhin.

He hasn't always been one ready to thrust himself into the limelight.

He's always sang away in the background,

he wouldn't have been a big, up-the-front-singing type person,

you know, he would sing about the house and if you asked him

to sing stuff again, he always got a wee bit embarrassed about it,

like he's doing now cos I'm talking!

THEY LAUGH

Look, there's Eibhin embarrassed! Who is? Eibhin by chance!

But the turning point was winning a school talent competition last year.

We were sitting in the audience and I was warned not to shout,

or scream or make an exhibition of him! He did all three!

THEY LAUGH

He did do all three!

And the music started, and he hit the first note,

and we couldn't speak.

And since then, he hasn't looked back.

The music's sort of my main focus.

Everything else I 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 my words, because I forgot them.

More nervous! Just a bit, though. Not so grand now!

It will be fine, anyway, as soon as I go on stage, it will go,

won't be as jittery or as jumpy or as pacey.

# Holding down his job... #

Sketchy preparation isn't the surest foundation for performance success.

# Oh, it takes every kind of people

# Life's about, yeah... #

I've got plans for Eibhin. But he'll need to focus

if he wants to make the most of the opportunity I've got in mind.

Someone else trying to get to grips with her words is Micaela.

# I say a little prayer for you!

# While combing my hair now... #

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

I Say A Little Prayer.

# You-ou-ou...

# Please... #

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

What happened?

I held the 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... # Ooooh... #

And then go... # Oh-oh-oh-oh! #

..instead? OK, yeah.

It's up to you. Anyway, if you find it easier to have that kind of...

I can't do wee triplet notes like that!

It's kind of difficult.

# Say I'm in love with you-ou-ou

# Answer my prayer now, baby! #

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

You do like a natural kind of smile anyway. Uh-huh.

I'd just extend it that tiny bit, because the more people see

that you're having a good time, the more likely they're going to accept...

OK. It was great. Thank you.

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

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

OK! ..to sit in. Ah, that's grand.

KNOCKS ON DOOR

Come in.

Hello. Sorry to interrupt your TV, but could I borrow you

for a few seconds? Yeah, come on in.

We need an audience, so we do. You're my audience!

Going to be entertained.

Right, OK.

By me!

We're in and I heard Micaela performing... Yeah.

And I want to see how she does it live in front of a few more people.

Right. So, are you ready? Yes.

Grand. I'm ready. Take it away, Michaela!

SHE GIGGLES

# Say a little prayer for you

# The moment I wake up... #

She took everything that I said on board, and with the 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, how I love you

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

# To live without you will only mean heart break for me! #

APPLAUSE

What do you think? That's excellent! You think?

Fair going, I got a shock!

Singing a '60s classic is just up Micaela's street.

She loves vintage style. What she needs next

is the perfect outfit for her big night.

Time to go dress shopping!

Hello, how are you? Your poster's up.

I know, it's really nice. Are you nervous yet? Yes.

Really? Very.

It will be grand! You'll be fine, you'll be fine.

# My life was cold... #

I'm just in heaven right now.

# You put the flame on it... #

This is definitely a Motown number.

# This heart of mine... #

Yeah, I think we'll do this one.

# You wrote your name on it...

# You wrote your name on it... #

What do you think? Stunning. Absolutely stunning.

# I could look away from it... #

No, it's not Pretty In Pink!

No. No, it's... No, it's far from it!

It's uncomfortable in pink.

I look like a Vegas Show Girl!

A Vegas Show Girl! This is just not happening.

It's not you.

Micaela, just as an afterthought,

Hello! Give me that! That's pretty. It's gorgeous, isn't it?

And it's got a little bit of bling.

Oooh, this is just the perfect wee combination!

Hold on till I get this on. Are you ready?

# Cos you make me feel

# You make me feel

# You make me feel like a natural woman... #

Is that the one you feel? Mm-hm.

Let's see. Cos we are... the hair is going up. Uh-huh.

Oh, that's it, that's the one there. Love my dress!

Big time, that is the one.

It is stunning on her.

Perfect.

Hi, how's it going?

I love Eibhin's voice.

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

I've sent Jenny around with the news of a great opportunity.

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

who will be playing a major City of Culture concert

with guests including Glee star Damien McGinity.

Ah, the proud daddy!

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

That's why he's getting Damien McGinity to do it.

So, along with yourself. 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?

Aggh!

Derry's answer to Simon Cowell

Yes, he's bigger than Simon Cowell.

Dear God.

Right, 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.

Um...OK, any requests?

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

you sing with fluidity and in tune, preferably.

Preferably! Yeah, OK.

# I set out on a narrow way

# Many years ago

# Hoping I would find true love

# Along the broken road

# But I got lost a time or two

# Wiped 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 all right. Huh? It was OK.

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

because you pitched it too high Yeah, OK.

Um, and that's something which you'll have to learn,

not only about like pitching the right key but when it's not right...

Mm-hm. ..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... Mm-hm.

..that is unforgivable. Yeah.

I'm going to give you a chance. Yeah.

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

that we're doing with the Ulster Orchestra, on the day, or the day

before, when we're doing rehearsals and we're doing sound checks, etc,

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.

I'm giving you the opportunity but it's not a free ride. Yeah.

OK, the song that I want you to be part of is the new song

that I've written, A Bright Brand New Day.

# There's a fresh breeze blowing through the city tonight

# As the sun sets over Sheriff's Mountain

# Could it be that we might be winning?

# There's a sense of a new beginning

# From Creggan to the Waterside

# There's a bright brand new day that's coming

# May all of our dreams take flight

# 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?

Hoo-hoo-hoo!

That's your homework, kiddo. OK. Learn that inside out. OK.

Eibhin would be typical of a 14-year-old

who has discovered that he's got a voice and that he can sing.

Nice man, wasn't he?

The ball's in his court.

After just three short weeks, Micaela's big day has dawned.

Tonight she performs in the Venue to a crowd of 2,000

at the Grand Vintage Ball

Micaela, are you nervous? For the night?

It's just really scary. There's going to be loads of people.

But you'll be there so I'll be grand. You'll be like a diva on the stage.

Micaela, over all the people, will I be able to see?

Of course you will!

'The only fear is I've never done anything

'on this kind of a platform before,'

and I honestly think, when I do realise, like, what's ahead of me,

I'll, like, I don't know what way I'm going to take it!

So it can either go really well or really badly,

so, hopefully it goes well and I don't freak out and just be like,

"No, I can't do this any more!"

Micaela devotes the rest of the day to doing everything

she can to make sure the big night will go well.

CAR HORN BEEPS

Oh, my God! Is that a limo?

Micaela looks the part and is going to travel to her show in style.

We weren't expecting this!

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

Now, that's it in there now, Mummy, that big tent. It's huge.

Before long, the Grand Vintage Ball dance floor starts to fill with

the 2,000 sell-out crowd expected for the night.

Soon the party is swinging with everyone in the vintage spirit...

..including Micaela's Music Promise friend Hannah,

who has come along to support her.

It's show time!

Good luck, good luck, good luck.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

# Say a little prayer for you

# The moment I wake up

# Before I put on my make-up

# While combing my hair now

# And wondering what dress to wear now

# I say a little prayer for you

# Forever, forever

# You'll stay in my heart and I will love you

# Forever 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

# Forever and ever You'll stay in my heart and I

# Will love you

# Forever 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, yeah

# My darling, believe me

# For me there is no-one else 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 AND APPLAUSE

Thank you very much.

Thank you. Thank you so much.

Yes!

It didn't even seem like it was me.

It just felt like it was 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.

THEY CHATTER

You were absolutely terrific.

Come here. Good girl.

It was brilliant, like, everything what you done, perfect,

all the movement, the whole mood.

Can I do it again?

Go on, please, for the craic!

Next time, I'm with Derry's next superstar DJ...

In the future I would like to do something really big like a festival.

..Hannah gets a big gig but will she see it through?

Everything bad that can happen I feel is going to happen.

And has Eibhin done enough to make it on stage?

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

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd