Newcastle MOBO Awards will 'open doorways' for area's musicians

Matt Pearson Sisi on stage for BBC Introducing. She is wearing a short white dress and has long dark hair. She has two backing singers, one on either side, wearing white halterneck crop tops and trousers with a man working music decks behind. Over their heads is an illuminated sign reading BBC Music Introducing in a variety of funky fonts. — Sisi has carried out for BBC Introducing, set as much as help new music and artists

A younger musician has mentioned fringe occasions happening forward of the MOBO Awards, that are to be held in Newcastle for the primary time, will “open doorways” for the area’s musicians.

The awards have been working since 1996 to have fun black music and tradition.

A five-day pageant main as much as the principle occasion has been deliberate to create alternatives, elevate aspirations and showcase the area’s expertise.

Sisi, a singer-songwriter from Middlesbrough, mentioned: “A number of eyes shall be on Newcastle that would not have been.”

The 20-year-old mentioned the awards had been “large”.

“It is seen the likes of Jay-Z, Stormzy, Raye – it is large,” she mentioned.

“It will open loads of doorways for lots of artists that would not essentially have the chance.

“It will open loads of ears to the North East sound, which is extraordinarily various.”

Sisi says the awards make success really feel extra attainable

Singer Sisi is wearing a navy blue jumper with pink collar and design and has long dark braided hair. She is smiling, standing front of a brick internal wall which is blurred out. — Sisi says the awards make success really feel extra attainable

MOBO Fringe can have workshops for aspiring creatives and younger folks, significantly these from the area’s black communities.

Newcastle Metropolis Council’s principal occasions and tradition advisor Jim Mawdsley mentioned it was about “exhibiting the alternatives” to younger folks and having specialists telling them “how you can entry the music trade, how you can overcome limitations”.

“I feel it is extraordinarily important to indicate you could have music careers with out having to go to London,” he mentioned.

“Having that involvement and being linked to one thing as prestigious as that is important.”

Mr Mawdsley mentioned the MOBO Awards had been world-renowned.

“The report trade that focuses on music of black origin, their eyes shall be on Newcastle,” he mentioned.

Jim Mawdsley says there’s a wealthy expertise pool within the area

Jim Mawdsley, the principal advisor for events and culture for Newcastle City Council, smiling. He has short light brown hair and a bushy, lighter brown beard and moustache. He's wearing a dark blue polo shirt. The background is blurred. — Jim Mawdsley says there’s a wealthy expertise pool within the area

The programme co-ordinator at arts organisation Generator, Chyaro Hylton, mentioned having the awards come to the town “means we’re doing one thing proper”.

“It is not only a second, it is a possibility,” he mentioned.

“We’re attempting to cease artists leaving the area.

“Having the MOBO fringe occasions right here means artists’ voices are heard, they’re supported and so they’re beloved.”

Sisi mentioned they’d “shine a lightweight” on the area’s music and artists.

“Newcastle doesn’t get the identical alternatives as different cities sadly, simply due to the place we’re,” she mentioned.

“If it wasn’t right here, I would need to nonetheless put within the work however the reality it’s right here does make that dream somewhat bit extra attainable.”

The awards will happen in Newcastle on 18 February on the Utilita Enviornment.

Newcastle Metropolis Council and MOBO, together with companions Generator, Glasshouse, Northern Roots and Nrthrn Child, have introduced the MOBO Fringe programme of occasions to run 13-17 February.

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