Boost for Musicians in Midlands thanks to team behind Honey Box

The team behind Honey Box Live are celebrating a huge funding boost as they’ve secured just shy of £30k to invest in Amplifying Grassroots Talent across the Midlands. The project, which is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, will benefit aspiring musicians and technicians in Wolverhampton.

One of the three founders and Co-producers behind the initiative Pete Herbert said: “This is fantastic recognition for the impact the Honey Box initiative has made, and we are thrilled with the Arts Council England funding, which will allow us to expand this showcasing of local talent beyond the confines of the studio, and help spark it off in other locations. Growing, nurturing and encouraging emerging talent is so rewarding and we can’t wait to get started on Series 9 of Honey Box, which will incorporate a development day and a gig at the Wolverhampton Arts Centre.” 

Since the Honey Box launched in 2016, it’s been delivered by a team of industry professionals, voluntarily sharing their expertise to bolster the local music scene. Its focus is hosting new and emerging local musicians at King Street Studios in Newcastle under Lyme, who perform live from the studio in front of an intimate audience. The gigs are concurrently recorded, live-streamed and subsequently hosted on their YouTube channel, to reach a bigger online community.  

Last year, thanks to investment from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Honey Box hit the road to connect emerging artists with audiences further afield and get the hang of touring. It’s acknowledged that small, accessible live music venues are the gateway to musicians developing their skills, creativity and learning, and Honey Box hit gold with the 3 selected for Series 8: The Sugarmill in Stoke-on-Trent, 2Funky Music Complex in Leicester, and Hull Truck Theatre in Hull. 

The team soon realised that it’s not just playing skills that are honed, but performance confidence is built in these venues too. The gigs also provided the opportunity to train up the next generation of live music producers and technicians, as they were exposed to the challenges and technology involved behind the scenes of a touring live broadcast. 

From the success of this concept, the team forged ahead with a bold new proposition, to spark this initiative in other, similar cities and amplify opportunities for local musicians and technicians across the Midlands. Their successful funding bid will kick start a series of performances spanning the home studios at King Street in Newcastle under Lyme, Blue Note Nightclub in Derby, 2Funky Music Complex in Leicester, and Wolverhampton Arts Centre.  

To complement the broadcast and performances, a Development Day will also be hosted at each location. This will be a mix of practical workshops in live audio and stage production alongside social media and music marketing. A guest speaker will join a discussion panel to provide the perspective of promoters, funders and music professionals. The gigs and development days will support participants in building experience, gaining insight and making vital industry connections. 

For details of the Honey Box Live: Amplifying Grassroots Talent project, upcoming gigs, development days and how to get involved as either an unsigned artist, or trainee technician, get in touch via the online portal at www.phinthecommunity/honey-box