Young musicians play classic hits
Some of the young musicians and their musician educators at Theatre Royal Waterford for the announcement of ‘The MidNight Collective’, a creative collaboration that brings together an ensemble of Music Generation Waterford musicians aged 15-19 and The New Brass Kings to perform some of the biggest hits from the 60s and 70s at a late night gig on 10th May. Photo: Patrick Browne.
Theatre Royal’s Midnight Collective is coming to Waterford this May, and will feature some of the city and county’s finest up-and-coming young musicians and a dynamic ensemble of seasoned professionals to pay tribute to iconic hits from the sixties and seventies.
Young participating musicians and their musician educators recently launched the event. The gig has been in the works since January, and is due to showcase on May 10.
The late night gig is a creative collaboration between Theatre Royal and Music Generation Waterford, ‘The MidNight Collective’ has involved thirty-five young musicians, aged fifteen to nineteen years, embarking on a four-month series of rehearsals and workshops with musician educators to deliver fresh interpretations of beloved rock, soul and blues classics.
The Late-Night Events Programme is designed to provide new night-time cultural experiences for new audiences and Theatre Royal Waterford was the only cultural venue in the south east region to be awarded funding under the programme.
A spokesperson for the event said, “From soulful renditions to high-energy jams, each track by ‘The MidNight Collective’ will captivate audiences and ignite nostalgia for a golden era of music. Whether you're a die-hard fan of 60s and 70s hits or simply looking for a night of unforgettable entertainment, ‘The Midnight Collective’ promises a night of timeless music like no other.”
The night will also feature an appearance from The New Brass Kings, Dublin’s six-piece New Orleans-style brass band. Their catalogue of original brass reworks, with familiar favourites mixed with their energetic live shows have earned them a reputation.
The New Brass Kings are described as "a blend of different personalities and experiences, which gives the band a distinctive edge and a playful nature that sets them apart from their peers. The sound is wild, witty, and loud. Being one of the most versatile groups around, whether it’s acoustic busking, marching or large-scale stage performances, their set is full of bangers, beauties, encores, moves, grooves, solos, and sing-alongs."
The hard work and rehearsals of the group will culminate in a late-night showcase gig at Theatre Royal on 10th May, and tickets for The Midnight Collective at Theatre Royal Waterford are available now at www.theatreroyal.ie and 051 874402.
