Merseybeat. Madchester. Detroit techno. The Loughborough Sound? When thinking about music scenes we often think of major cities. But what role does music play in smaller towns and less celebrated places? Join us for a free event where artists, musicians and academics explore these issues through video, discussion and archival material. 

Programme:

Loughborough Records Presents Presence: A Film
Part of Radar's THE Award Nominated Market Town project, Can Altay's Loughborough Records Presents Presence saw a recording studio constructed in an empty shop unit in Loughborough town centre and provided free of charge to local musicians. 

"Mansfield's Very Own Steve Malkmus": a film-come-YouTube compilation by Paul Rooney, comprising a tour of Kurt Cobain's Aberdeen WA bedroom, Nantwich amp-switches, Trenton NJ Fugazi ticket queues, Goths from (near) Abersoch, paens to Skelmersdale new town, John Peel and Richard D James on the boredom of Redruth, and more.

Sounds From a Small Town: A Conversation
A panel discussion exploring music in and from small towns and peripheral areas. This will be a broad ranging discussion touching on identity, infrastructure, possibilities and limitations. Panellists: Zoe Armour, whose PhD explores electronic music subcultures, who'll talk about Passion nightclub in Coalville; Rebecca Lee, (re)composition artist; and Robert Miller, musician and teacher, Loughborough.

Live Music
Stick around after the event for live music until 11pm from Robert Miller and members of the Loughborough Acoustic Club.

Materials from Loughborough University's archive charting rock music in Loughborough will be on display.

Image: Can Altay's Loughborough Records Presents Presence. Photo by Julian Hughes.