Episode 2 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.

Big names.

Big performances. 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...I'm already liking your hand position,

that's very good!

How are you? I'm Amelia.

..and perform on the biggest stages.

MUSIC: "Lights On" by Katy B

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.

SHE SINGS

Glenn plays in Wyldling,

one of northern Irelands most promising bands.

The spark of creativity that they have really reignites

the spark that you have so I'm really 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.

Last time I met 15-year-old singer/songwriter Hannah,

a big personality with a big talent to match.

She loves performing - but up until now

it's largely been cover versions of other people's songs.

MUSIC: "California Gurls"

# California girls, we're unforgettable... #

When she played me the song she had written herself, I was blown away.

# Oh I'm going to put on a show

# To show you me

# Let you hear my musical autobiography... #

Hannah is reluctant to play her songs in public but I think it would

be great for her if she could get them out there to a big audience.

As a starting point, I've organized for her to be a support act

for Derry music maestro Paul Casey.

If this goes well, there's no telling where she could play next.

The gig is just two weeks away.

And I've sent Glenn to break the news.

So, how do you feel about that?

Really excited but, like, nervous. I kind of feel like I'm going to melt!

So, roughly how many songs are we talking about here?

Phew. I'd say about three.

Three and they are all originals or...?

-All original.

-Oh!

I don't know why you're so afraid of playing your songs in front of people.

It's my own original stuff and if, you know, if somebody was to

turn round and be all, "Oh, that's not good," I'd be really,

I'd be really hurt.

In terms of what you'll learn

and in terms of the opportunity it's pretty good, up for it?

-Definitely.

-Good.

Last time I also met 15-year-old Eibhin

who's one of Derry's most promising singers.

# He wanted sunshine in his name... #

He has been given the opportunity to perform with music legend

Phil Coulter at a City of Culture Concert -

but only if he can prove to Phil he's good enough to make the grade.

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

I forgot, yeah.

Yeah, you see, that at the level we're talking about, the level that

you want to aspire to, that... is unforgivable.

Yeah.

In just three weeks, Phil will hear him sing again

- before deciding whether to let him take the stage.

# Tonight mmm...

# Will history provide us...

# That oh da da da... #

But Eibhin is struggling to get to grips with the song that Phil

has given him to learn - accompanied by his mum and Jenny -

I've organised for him to see top theatre director -

Caitriona McLaughlin - to see if she can help him with his performance.

OK. Stop. Stop.

I've worked with singers before and I've come up with this problem

because what happens is you get so focused on trying to make a

lovely sound, that you forget you're actually trying to tell a story.

-Yeah.

-And I don't think you, especially by the way you walk out

and begin, I don't think you've really realised yet that

you're actually telling us a story.

You've come out there as if you were going to be shot, whereas

you're coming out to tell us that there's a new future for all of us.

Your voice is great, your voice will be brilliant,

but you're...you're mixing up all the words as well.

Like Phil Coulter will... not let you...

-Rip me apart.

-He won't let you on stage.

-Do you want to do this?

-Yeah.

-Do you?

-Yeah.

I don't think you do. The way you're acting at the minute,

I don't even know if you want to be a singer. No, seriously.

I mean, it's like...it's like everything is so painful for you.

-Everything is painful for me!

-It shouldn't be.

Do you think she's right or is she completely wrong?

She is right, aye.

Can you find a phrase, three words that you like the sound of?

The chorus, the...

Say the chorus to me.

There's a bright, brand new day a-coming,

step out of the darkness and into the light.

Say that to me and mean it.

Ahh la-la.

If that's all we get out of today, you convince me

that something is going to change.

But I don't think anything's going to change.

It's the same, it's not a new day, it's the same day!

-Is tomorrow the same day?

-Yes!

-As today?

-Basically.

What makes it the same?

Well, you wake up, go to school, go to bed that...

-What have I got in my hands here?

-Words to a song.

A song that you're going to do what with...?

-Perform.

-Where?

In...in venue.

-With how many people watching you?

-Quite a bit!

-So is that the same as every day?

-No.

So, can you make that line about you singing this song?

Right... now sing it.

# 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. #

Beautiful.

After two short weeks of practice, it's the day of Hannah's

first ever gig, but even budding pop stars have to go to school.

So, it's my first ever gig and I'm really nervous -

haven't been able to concentrate at all today.

I'm really scared in case I forget my words. Or I forget -

if I like mess up the chords.

When a girl is up against it, what she needs is her best friend.

Catherine comes round to help with the preparations.

-Are you excited?

-A little bit.

Top of the priority list is what to wear.

-Hannah!

-What?

You have half an hour to get ready.

If you want Catherine to do your make-up she has half

an hour before she has to go - please just wash your face,

put yourself into some pyjamas till you get your clothes on

and do your make-up.

Hannah is normally never, ever, ever, ever nervous,

so it's kind of weird.

I've looked in the spare room, I've looked in the drawers,

I've looked in your wardrobe - now, have you any idea where it could be?

Oh, look!

You see, that skirt isn't suitable.

-It is suitable.

-No, it's too clingy.

-It's not too clingy.

-It is too clingy.

-It's not too clingy.

-It is too clingy.

-Are you going to listen to her?

-Listen to your mother.

BOTH: Ooooooo.

You are a pair of eejits. I'm going to kill the two of you.

Go away!

-Hannah!

-What!

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

No!

Someone just about to start their Music City journey is Shay.

When this 13-year-old kick boxing fanatic is not

perfecting his round-house kick, he's busy becoming

the City of Derry's next superstar DJ.

When you're playing dance music to other people and they're dancing,

it kind of makes you happy because you know you're providing the music.

And you're making them dance, and making them be happy.

Two years ago

he persuaded his mum to buy him all the latest DJ equipment

so he could start mixing tunes and playing gigs.

DANCE MUSIC

But mum Sinead didn't realise just how loud DJs like to play.

Shay! Can you turn that music down!

I'm trying to have a cup of tea in peace!

He's just raring to get out of the bedroom

and get an audience up on its feet dancing.

So far, he's played birthday parties, family events

and his local community centre but this DJ has big dreams.

In the future I would like to do, um, something really big

like a festival, or just play in a really big club.

Today he's gearing up for his biggest gig to date -

supporting local dance music legends Japanese Popstars

at one of Derry's best music venues, The Nerve Centre.

I'm impressed that Shay is already playing the best local venues

but I'm even more impressed that he got this gig by just

going to the venue and asking.

It's true what they say, if you don't ask, you don't get.

I was explaining to the man on the counter that I'm a DJ

and he said, "Would you like a gig?"

I said aye, and then the rest is history

And now Shay has got his big gig, it needs big planning.

There could be up to 500 people at the event.

Lap top. That's where all my songs are.

When you're DJing, you have to take a lot of things.

The few things that I like to do is, um, make sure

I have everything, you know, a list, check it - put it in me back pocket,

and when I'm leaving, check it off again, make sure I have everything.

With everything listed and checked, it's showtime.

DANCE MUSIC

Shay is playing a blinding set,

the beats are right, the lights are perfect and the graphics

are stunning but there's just one thing missing...

..a crowd to enjoy it.

An empty room, it's like...

just like looking into darkness, it puts you down a bit, kind of.

You do feel a bit less excited when there's not of lot of people there.

I'm so disappointed for Shay,

it's such a shame that no-one was there to see him perform.

But he should know that dealing with knockbacks like this is all

part of learning how to succeed in music.

I remember gigs where I would play

and the only other people watching were the other bands that

were playing on the same night! So, you have to think of it

sometimes as like good practice, because you can think,

actually, there's no pressure. But you're still in that environment

so by the time that the people do get there,

you're just, like, killing it.

I'm going to make sure that next time Shay performs

he'll have an audience to play to.

For Hannah, her first time in front of an audience has come,

the venue has sold out.

SHE PLAYS GUITAR

I'm really nervous.

I haven't gotten through the whole set list yet

without like making at least one mistake.

I don't know what she'll be like when there's a room full

and everybody's listening. I don't know.

I just...I'm worried about her, but, sure, I'm always

worried about her, spend my life worrying about her.

300 people are taking their seats.

Backstage, Hannah is waiting for her moment.

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...

CLATTER

Just everything...bad that can happen I feel is going to happen...

now.

SHE SIGHS

APPLAUSE

Hello.

# 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, even 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, I'm a 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 and there you could hear a pin drop,

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

# Oh, whoa. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Class, wasn't it?

I am on...what do you call it...cloud nine.

I'm really pleased, Hannah. Well done.

I'm so happy.

For your first gig, now, it's pretty damn good.

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.

# And I still suck my thumb

# I'm going to finish up around here

# Cos my fingers are getting numb. #

Music City isn't just about individual performances.

Everyone will have to work together as a group

and I have a definite 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 talents 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.'

But I'm not sure my choice of song

has gone down a storm with everyone.

It's always playing when someone gets put out of X Factor.

Everybody keeps saying that they hear it all the time,

so it's played out.

It's just a challenge like. Come on you, can yous not...?

Do you not think you can do anything with it?

Like, it has it has potential, like. Do you know what I mean?

-Well, this is...

-SHE LAUGHS

Snow Patrol, has potential.

The whole point of this is that we don't want it

to sound like Snow Patrol, we want it to sound like you.

# Would you lie with me and just forget the world? #

Eibhin has just two weeks to go

to make the song Phil Coulter gave him to learn his own,

but he is still struggling with it...

# Brand new day that's coming... #

Blah! Nah-ha.

..especially getting the words right.

I'm here to help.

How are you feeling?

-Yeah, terrified completely, really.

-Terrified?

-It's going to be awful.

-Oh, why are you saying that for?

I'm going to mess up my lines or something and... Oh, God!

No, you won't, you won't.

-Oh, my gosh, this looks amazing!

-There you are.

-Ladies first. There you are, sir.

-Cheers.

-Enjoy.

If I need to learn a song, I'll put the song on my phone

or on my MP3, and I'll just keep playing it over and over again.

Are you not sick of it by the end of it?

The feeling of going on stage un-prepared is like torture.

It's like the most horrible feeling, that you can give to yourself,

so I just think, I don't want that feeling.

I want to be able to go on stage, be confident,

have fun, enjoy it, you know really think about like performing it,

and think about the emotion rather

-than thinking about the technical words and the notes, you know?

-Yeah.

'Eating ice cream with Eibhin is the cushy job.'

I sent Glenn out on a wet and windy mission

to reveal news of a big opportunity.

I've been thinking about Shay's talents

and I think the time has come for him to know

what it feels like to play at a big event.

-I told you you'd need wellies.

-Yep.

But if Shay wants to make the big time,

he's going to have to climb a mountain...for real.

Shay, we're up a mountain, it's freezing, it's windy

and it's rainy and muddy. You're probably wondering why you're here.

-I am.

-Katy B's going to explain.

'Hey, Shay, it's Katy. I'm stuck in the recording studio,

'but I'm taking a little of the time out to tell you about your big gig.

'It might not look like much now,

'but in a few weeks, these muddy fields

'will be transformed into Northern Ireland's biggest music festival.

'All sorts of bands are going to be playing on massive stages

'and you are going to be up there with them

'playing some of the biggest tunes too.

'I've managed to get you a slot

'just before Radio 1 DJ Philly Taggart plays,

'so there's going to be a really big crowd.

'It's going to be absolutely amazing,

'but you need to make sure you start practising right now.'

So, what do you think?

-Um...speechless.

-Speechless?

Looking out here,

can you imagine that this is going to be a massive festival?

No, I can just see a field.

It means a lot that Katy B told me that I was going to be playing

at a festival, because it's something I've always dreamed about

and for the next four weeks, all I'll be doing is just making my set,

getting ready, getting prepared for everything,

and hopefully it goes well.

For Eibhin, preparation time

for working on Phil Coulter's song has run out.

He's going to audition for Phil to see if he's done enough

to earn his place in tonight's City of Culture concert.

Ah! How you doing, Eibhin?

Not so bad. How are you?

Not so bad, kiddo. Have you been busy? You doing exams and stuff?

No, I just finished. Yesterday, actually, I had my last one.

In between your exam work and your revision and all of that,

have you boned up on the song?

-Dear God, aye.

-Yeah? "Dear God, aye?"

-I haven't worked for anything as hard in my life.

-Yeah?

-Yeah, ins and outs and all the words.

-Good.

-Do you want to try it then?

-Sure.

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

# And there's a new moon rising over Derry tonight

# Like a sign Like a promise for tomorrow... #

I think you've done enough work now to convince me

that I should give you a shot.

When you get that Ulster Orchestra and the Cordella Choir

and everything else, it's going to be monstrous, all right?

OK, good boy.

-Well?

-I'm doing it.

-Well done.

-Oh, that's brilliant.

-You relieved?

And monstrous it promises to be.

He'll be on stage singing the biggest song of the night

with not only Phil Coulter, but also Glee star Damien McGinty.

It's all got very real all of a sudden.

-Eibhin?

-Yeah?

-You're going to do the second half of the second chorus...

-OK.

..by yourself. Damien's going to do the first half

-you're going to do the second half.

-OK.

Then stay where you are, and then the choir will be

doing like the third - you sing along.

Phil is trusting Eibhin with the two most important lines

of the most important song of the night.

-Sing it clear, sing it so the world can...?

-Hear.

-It's a...?

-Bright.

-Right, you got it?

-Yep.

-OK.

Cheers.

And during the sound check,

someone is having trouble with their lines. And guess what?

It's not Eibhin.

# Step out of the darkness and into sun... #

-Stand here in the light...

-Stand here in the light.

Next!

Want to try it again with the right words this time?

Stand here in the light, it's a bright band new day.

-Our voices will all unite...

-May our voices all unite?

No, not "may". Our voices will all unite.

Our voices will all unite... May would not make any sense.

-No, it wouldn't.

-Our voices will all unite.

-Listen, this is Derry, not LA. OK?

-Yes.

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

It's show time.

FANFARE

MC: Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome home, Phil Coulter.

APPLAUSE

Enjoy it, because as Phil says to me when I was 14, it goes by in a heartbeat.

You might not believe it now when you're sitting there very scared before you go on stage,

but trust me, when you're finished and you're walking off and the people are going crazy,

you'll wake up tomorrow morning, and you'll think to yourself,

dang, did that really happen?

Have a good time, man, you've worked for it.

-PHIL COULTER:

-'And singing this new song,

'first of all I'm going to let Codetta back...'

Eibhin's moment has come.

And I'm one of the old brigade at this stage,

but I think the future of Derry

is in the hands of the hands of the young kids

and so I'm going to invite first of all Damian McGinty...

APPLAUSE

..and a young 14-year-old kid.

A young 14-year-old kid called Eibhin.

I promised him that I'd give him a shot.

APPLAUSE

This is 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

# And there's a new dawn over Londonderry today

# Nevermore can our history divide us

# For the planets are all aligning

# And the future is brightly shining

# For Derry our time has come at last

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

# Step out of the darkness and stand here in the light

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

# Our voices will all unite

# Sing it out, sing it clear

# Sing it so the world can hear

# It's a bright brand new day

ALL: # Our voices will all unite

# Sing it out, sing it clear

# Sing it so the world can hear

# It's a bright brand new day. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

You were amazing.

That was amazing. So emotional, seriously.

I thought I was going to explode. It was brilliant.

You could hear in his first two words, he was a wee bit nervous

and then when the crowd started getting along,

he was like "Oh, God what's going on here?"

And then he blew everybody away. It's unbelievable.

-Was it good?

-Oh, you delivered, yeah. That's a good start.

You are the age that Damian was when I heard him first, you know,

that's the significance of that. And it's like, kind of, handing the

torch to a new generation because I'll be long gone

when you're up and doing...when you live up to your potential.

-Anyway, well done.

-Cheers for that.

-God bless. Thanks a lot. Take care.

'Next time, I get to get to grips with some traditional music...'

A lot like the stuff you're doing (!)

Yeah (!)

'..I deliver surprise news to Hannah...'

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

'..and Shay gets his festival chance, but will he pull it off?'

I've decided to change some of the tracks about. I'm going be taking a risk

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