Episode 5 Music City

Maybe between the wee gaps there, maybe a dubstep sound

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

who are 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 the 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 and 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.

CARIBBEAN DANCE FUSION

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... #

'I can't wait to get involved.'

I'd love to be here all year, but I can't, 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 you have

so I'm really looking forward to 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.

First up this time is 15-year-old Connor.

He loves music, and more to the point, loves it loud.

TRANCE MUSIC PLAYS

Connor! Turn it down a bit!

The way I like music is really loud, and it gets atmosphere

and people - the way music generally makes people feel.

Recently, he's discovered the Lambeg.

This drum, when played at full tilt,

has the same decibel level as a jet plane taking off,

so it's a match made in heaven.

You're sitting in a concert, say,

and someone's playing the fiddle or the cello or something like that

and everyone's sitting, just falling asleep and then

someone comes out with Lambeg! It's going to wake everyone up.

Connor is also a trail blazer.

When he sits his exams in May

he'll be one of the first pupils in Northern Ireland to ever use

the Lambeg as his instrument for GCSE music.

Brilliant. Is that all right?

Yeah, so that's flowing really nicely now.

OK, so what could you teach me?

Well, first of all, hold the sticks

and make sure the bent side goes in towards the drum.

OK. So like that.

All right, brilliant!

When I was first learning I started learning the sixes,

so it's just diddly dum de dum, so one, two, three, four, five, six.

And it's like each hand...

Yeah, so it's like, de de de de. All right, let's go.

Smack it! It's all right, it's a loud drum!

'Now I like a racket as much as anyone, but I can see why this

'is officially the loudest acoustic instrument in the world.'

Thanks.

Big beats are in the family.

His mum, Joanne, got Connor into dance music from an early age.

Well, I was brought up... when I was really young,

my mum was really young as well, so she was sort of like into that

sort of music at the same time, and she was sort of listening to trance.

I was into testo and all kinds of dance music and just generally

everything. I'm more Lady Gaga and that kind of music now, but!

Connor is now an aspiring DJ

and loves producing his own tracks in his bedroom.

Most people don't want just DJs who can just DJ.

They also want the producing side

because you'll not get anywhere in life if you're DJing all the time

and you can't make your own songs.

The producing side of things is where you start from scratch

and you're making your own music.

Big loud drums and a love of producing dance beats...

that sounds like a Music City collision

that is just going to have to happen.

Someone else who likes noise of a more melodic kind

is 14-year-old Darrell.

Well, I'd love to become a famous composer, go around the world.

I'm glad you're here to tell me. I was so impressed with his playing,

I arranged for him to meet Neil Cowley,

who is City Of Culture's musician in residence.

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

Neil has played on some of the biggest hits of this century,

including Adele's Rolling In The Deep.

# We could have had it all... #

And he thinks Darrell has what it takes to go all the way.

You've got everything within your grasp, technically, for you

to do exactly what you want for the rest of your life.

I'm telling you you really have.

But the only thing holding Darrell back was his schoolwork.

But he promised me he'd try harder, and now his school report is in.

Time to find out how he's getting on. Report's here.

What? What?

Look what came in today. Can you guess what this is?

School report? Aye? School report?

Would you like to read it?

Aye, well, I have to, I guess.

If you look at your maths - he's a very good comment there.

Because in January when I was talking to that teacher,

he says you have a mental block when it comes to maths.

And he's saying now he thinks you're going to get it.

But I kept at you about your maths.

Katy B, what did she tell you? She told you you need it

and you don't want to do what I done

where she had to go to night classes

and do it later, and she says you've got to do it now.

And your music's very good. First place in music, so that's very good.

Well, the report's very good and you've to keep up now the work.

That's a really positive report. If Darrell keeps this up it looks like

he'll pass his maths and there's even a reward for his efforts.

There's a fiver now. Oh, thank you!

If your grades improve, I will double that fiver.

Oh, we'll double it to a grand piano!

I think that might be pushing it, Darrell!

No grand piano, no.

I think it would be great if Connor could use his producing skills

to create a dance track using the unique sound of the Lambeg.

I've got him some studio time.

Well, we're just going starting off making a song and cos I'm a DJ

and I play Lambeg, sort of incorporate the both

in the one track, so today we're going to record

maybe the Lambeg part of it.

Serious tension in those things, isn't there?

Aye, it needs tightening.

It does need tightening more? Is it goat skin?

Aye, it's goat's skin, aye, just strung out and spread out.

It must be some size of a goat.

They must breed supergoats.

Connor records a variety of different beats

and then chooses the best to work with for his dance track.

So you kinda have two different flavours to work with, you know?

I'm really impressed the way it's all like compressed

on that there, cos usually when you hear Lambeg recordings and stuff,

they're all over the show, like, so that actually sounds clean.

Well, that's maybe the advantage of coming into the studio.

You've got more control over the sound.

If he does succeed in creating a Lambeg dance track,

it could well be a world first,

and I've a plan to help him make that happen.

Darrell too loves creating new music

but it's no easy matter, as he composes on a piano

that has been in the family 70 years and doesn't stay in tune.

But amazing mum Sharon has pushed the family budget to the limit

and come to the rescue.

I'm waiting on Darrell and Tyrese to come back from the beach.

They think I'm away shopping to buy clothes but I've went

and I've invested in a good piano for him.

It's not paid for straight-out or nothing, you know.

It's on a bit of credit, like, but I think he deserves now,

all the work he's been doing this year.

He doesn't know that he's getting it

so I'm just going to surprise him, and I've been thinking about it

this past while. When Darrell comes back now, he's actually,

I think he could faint, even, for the shock of seeing this new piano.

I can't believe she has managed to keep this a secret.

I love a good surprise...

That's them.

Well, how did the beach go?

Was it good? Did you enjoy the beach?

Oh, my!

This can't be real. No, no, no, this isn't real.

How'd you get that? Ah, no, this is impossible!

It's in tune and all!

What will I play?

Even brother Tyrese is liking the sound of this.

So shocked. It is a dream come true.

like, I'm amazed that me mum's given me this.

Really happy, I really appreciate it,

and, like, best thing in the world to happen.

Like, new pianos means new tunes, basically,

cos it's completely new, different touch.

You know it's going to be different, it's going to be better.

Just time for one last goodbye to his old faithful.

I will miss it in a way, but in a way I won't miss it.

Goodbye.

But a new piano isn't the only surprise in store for Darrell.

Jenny is calling round with some exciting news.

Hi, Darrell.

I've heard that your mum has bought you a brand-new piano.

I hope this means that you're going to be helping out with

the housework. I know you've been really enjoying

working with Neil Cowley, and you know what?

Neil was really enjoying working with you and he's very impressed.

Neil and his band have a massive performance coming up

and guess what? He wants you to join him and play your own composition.

Are you serious? Oh, yes!

I'm so excited for you, Darrell, best of luck.

I can't believe this is happening to me.

Like, to get on stage with him for a proper performance!

I'm really shocked. That's a massive surprise.

It's amazing how something so simple like getting a new instrument

can really fire your creativity,

and with a brand spanking new piano under the stairs, I can't wait to

hear what Darrell is going to come up with for his big performance.

Connor has got one half of his dance track - the Lambeg recordings.

Now he needs to produce it into something that's going to get

a crowd up on its feet and moving.

I've organised for him to go to Leeds to get some help

from dance legends Utah Saints.

I thought it would have took me a good 10, 20 years to get this far,

because that's what happens with most DJs.

They start in their 30s or something like that.

I'm grateful that I'm here and can't wait to get started and get going.

Utah Saints have been there and done it all.

They've had massive chart success and are now recognised

among the best producers in the business. If Connor is serious

about producing his own music,

there are no better people to be working with.

Right, so this is the studio.

This is Dom, who's our engineer for the day. Hi, Dom.

Hi there. And so what have you got? Have you got your memory stick?

Can you give it to Dom, we'll get it up, have a listen

and see what we've got to work with.

The main bit we're interested in is how the Lambeg sounds,

so we'll give that a listen

and work out if we can make it sound absolutely enormous.

LAMBEG TRACK PLAYS

I think something like that's going to be the best starting point.

It's really well played. You do a fantastic job there.

We need to get the huge drum coming across in the track

so I think we can do that with this sound. Sounds good.

They start laying down some new musical layers on top of the Lambeg beat.

The track is starting to take shape.

One of the key things about dance music is obviously

the dynamics and that, so probably the first thing to do now

is a little breakdown and introduce some kind of melodic riff to it.

DANCE TRACK PLAYS

That all sounds... pieced together nicely

and it's coming along greatly, so, not to sound rude or anything,

but is there any way to just take a look at the bassline

and see what's going on there?

OK. Yeah, let's do that.

BASS TRACK PLAYS

So this is quite a deep bassline. Yeah.

So what would your thoughts be on this,

if you were to add or take away?

Maybe between the wee gaps there, maybe a dubstep sound

sort of comes to mind, or something like that could work.

That's a good idea. Let's try something kind of dubsteppy.

Just give it a little bit of flavour.

BASS LINE WITH DUBSTEP WOBBLE

That sort of sound? That sounds better. You like that?

It's so exciting that the Utah Saints think Connor's ideas are good

but they have even more exciting news in store for him.

In a few weeks' time, we're actually out in Derry. Are you?

In your neck of the woods, and what we're going to be doing is a gig

and we'd like to know if you'd be up for this,

if you would care to support us.

And then maybe you could drop the track

and, you know, it would be... Aye, if yous will have me, like.

No, we'd love you, it would be awesome to do.

Thanks for that anyway, like.

Congratulations. Thanks for working so hard today. It's brilliant.

Nice one, Connor. Aye, no bother.

Playing with your dance heroes is one thing,

but playing your own tune that they've helped to produce

is something else.

With only a couple of weeks to go before he supports

Neil Cowley on tour, Darrell is busy

putting the finishing touches to his composition.

I want to really impress Neil,

show him that I'm really putting in the hard work for this big gig.

Composing a piece on your own can be a bit hard,

even with other people, a bit hard, but it's well worth it.

It's really enjoyable.

I've more or less done it now, actually,

so I'm going to go down to the piano and try it out.

I think getting a new piano has really helped

improve Darrell's skills, and in just a couple of weeks' time,

he'll be playing his own tune in front of a crowd for the very first time.

I'm really excited about doing it.

Not even nervous - I'm just really excited.

I can't wait to be sitting at that piano and just playing away

in front of a big massive audience, like. It's so exciting.

Along with their own musical journeys,

our Music City kids are also playing together

as a City of Culture supergroup.

And they're in the studio as well to record their unique cover version

of Snow Patrol's hit song Chasing Cars...

Ready when you are!

..before making a music video to go with it.

But if you aren't used to being in the studio, it can be tough.

I'm trying. I'm really trying.

Recording in the bag, it's time for the group to have some fun

filming their very own music video.

We are on our way to Belfast to record the music video

in front of the green screen and I think we're really excited,

aren't we, Brianna? Yep, I'm really excited.

Really looking forward to it.

Well, I'm fine with everything else as long as we don't have to dance.

Can you see me?

Everyone will mime their parts in front of the cameras

and then computer trickery enables any kind of background

to be dropped in behind the kids.

It's important to look your best, and even the boys need make-up.

You need to get your make-up on so you don't shine.

The cameras in the studio are really strong so as soon as they shine on

your face, any oil at all is going to be sparkling like a glitter ball.

That looks lovely.

Make-up done, it's time to get on with making a video!

I can't wait to see the finished product.

Connor is scheduled to debut his Lambeg dance track

with the Utah Saints at City of Cultures Culture Tech festival.

But before he can think about that, it's GCSE results day,

and time to see if his Lambeg skills are up to the mark.

Auntie Laura and Gran have come along too.

Passed everything, like.

Wa-hey, very good.

Very good. Congratulations.

Passed music.

Passed music as well, pretty good. I'm all pleased for you.

His Lambeg playing has passed the test -

can his dance tracks do the same?

Tonight it's Connor's big night and he is due to support

the Utah Saints with a half an hour DJ set.

I'm kind of nervous at the minute but I think I'll get through it

and I have all my family and friends there to support me.

Woo, party!

The big crowd-pleasing tunes keep coming from Utah Saints,

but how will Connor's Lambeg track stack up

when it gets its debut play?

I don't know, I'm kind of nervous.

No-one's ever heard it bar me and my family, like.

I hope it's a good reaction.

But right now I think you should make some noise for Utah Saints.

CHEERING

Thank you.

A few weeks ago, Connor sent us a unique noise

that we in Leeds hadn't heard before, of a big Lambeg drum.

CHEERING

And the Utah Saints, we love big noises,

and this is the first time ever it's been played out in a club.

It's Connor's track and it really, really rocks!

CHANTING: Connor, Connor!

CONNOR'S TRACK PLAYS

Connor did really, really well. He rose to the occasion

and just made the party happen, so full credit to him.

If someone would have come up to me nine months ago,

I wouldn't even have thought I'd even get near Utah Saints,

never mind make a track with them and perform it tonight, like.

It was just insane.

It's been class and I've loved every minute of it.

Best time I've had since I used to rave ten years ago.

Brilliant, really buzzing. I thought it was amazing.

I felt like crying, I was that proud.

You could tell it was a big success because all the tracks

we played either side of it were big, big records that are out

at the moment, and right in the middle of that,

Connor plays his track, and you know, and it totally went off.

TRACK ENDS

CHEERING

The track went down well and it was a good audience,

everyone was loving it.

Hopefully, Connor will now use this experience

and take it to the next level. If he ever needs to ask some advice

about record companies or whatever, then, you know, we're there.

And for Darrell, his big moment has arrived as well.

He's made it to Lancaster Jazz Festival

for his performance supporting Neil Cowley.

There it is. It's becoming real now, isn't it? It really is.

And it's time for his soundcheck

to make sure everything is ready for tonight's gig.

How you doing, Darrell? How you doing?

Hi, girls? How you doing, all right? Nice to see you. You too.

Tonight will be the first time a crowd will ever have heard

one of Darrell's own compositions, and it seems Neil is impressed.

Wow!

Darrell, I... you know what, your timing's really nice

and you're fluid and just... You know, you exude something.

It's really amazing, I'm really blown away, I really am.

That's great.

With the venue filling up for tonight's sold-out concert,

Darrell is raring to go.

I'm going to kill this audience.

They're going to go off their seats and I am going to kill the audience.

But one look at the crowd, and it's a different story.

Five minutes to the gig. I'm feeling nervous. Really nervous.

Me stomach's feeling sore and I...

I feel sick, I feel really like I'm going to make mistakes but...

Hello, mate, you all right? Nervous.

You nervous? Yeah.

Come on, give us a hug.

You're going to be fine.

Has it got to you, finally? Yeah. It was going to.

20 minutes before now I was all right. Now, five minutes before...

But this is... this is normal, natural, this is the way it should be.

This is? Yeah, you need a bit of nerves,

cos if you go out there all bolshie and confident

it won't be quite the same performance. You need a little bit of nerves.

Good. Going to nail it. All right. Five minutes... Miss Piggy!

(AS SCOOTER) Five minutes, Miss Piggy.

I was worried there for a second.

Working with Neil has really paid off for Darrell.

This is world-class and he looks right at home on the big stage.

CHEERING

How do you feel? Great! Do you feel good? Thanks!

Sounded fantastic. Thank you. That's class!

That was class! Happy flippin' days!

It's a big memory he's got now, it's a big tag in his brain saying,

"I did that, I achieved that, I could do that again."

I bet he's addicted. Best time of my life.

It's the end of our Music City journey.

It's been good getting involved with other musicians

and especially with the group. It was good meeting new friends.

You know, working with everybody, meeting new people,

I never thought I would get this opportunity.

I've really just enjoyed every moment of it.

It just shows you, right, I play... it's literally a bit of wood.

And it shows you how far it brought me.

# On our own... #

We're all part of each other's experience and we can look back

and laugh and have memories and I'm sure we'll keep in contact.

# Let's waste time

# Chasing cars

# Around our head. #

# I need your grace... #

Well, I never thought I would have achieved

what I've achieved from the show.

# To find my own... #

It's changed me as a person.

# If I lay here

# If I just lay here

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

Is this the end now? Was that it? Oh!

Oh, it was so short, it felt so short!

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

Can I do it again? I don't want to be free, I want to do it again.

I never knew it would be that good.

Ah, I'd do it again. I want to do it again.

Can I do that again?

# If I lay here

# If I just lay here

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