‘Grassroots projects are vital to music in the UK’

Filled with artists such as Charli XCX and The Last Dinner Party, the Mercury Prize 2024 was packed with stiff competition this September. 

But beating the odds, the accolade was awarded to English Teacher - who are the first winners from outside of London in a decade.

The band were quick to thank Music:Leeds in their acceptance speech, a Youth Music funded partner who supported them to record and distribute their music before they were signed.

"There's real support for musicians in Leeds at the moment," lead vocalist Lily Fontaine said at the time. "Venues are willing to take on new artists and I think that's integral to the health of the scene."

"Without the support of the people in that scene, we wouldn't be here," added guitarist Lewis Whiting.

Asked about the Mercury Prize's nine-year streak of rewarding Londoners, Lewis continued, "It's kind of ridiculous.

"There's so much going on outside London. Plenty of places in the north have thriving scenes and produce amazing bands. It's crazy it's been going on for so long."

"Musicians from outside London don't really have the same opportunities," agreed Lily. "But if you look back over music from this country, Yorkshire in particular has thrown out some of our most prolific songwriters."

However, English Teacher aren’t the only band championing grassroots projects at the prestigious prize.

In 2023, Ezra Collective won the award, and told the audience, “Ezra Collective represents something really special because we met in a youth club … this moment that we’re celebrating right here is testimony to good, special people putting time and effort into young people to play music.”

‘English Teacher are an inspiration’

Across the country, musicians and parents of young musicians agreed with the bands’ comments. 

Callum Smart, acclaimed soloist and professor at the Royal Northern College of Music, told MusicTeachers, “Grassroots projects are absolutely vital to music in the UK. They give aspiring musicians from any background and location access and opportunity to further their career, leading to a chance of success, as English Teacher has shown! Grassroots projects are in touch with the tools and resources their community needs, and this empowers people to create and showcase their talent.

“I think English Teacher are a great example for children. As a group who pivoted from their first dream pop outfit Frank, they have taught children and other musicians the power of being resilient, and not giving up if your first idea doesn’t work out. Growing, developing and being true to yourself are values English Teacher emanates, and this is so inspiring.”

Mark Deeks - a teacher and performer in the music industry with over 25 years of experience - agreed.

“I think the UK could often learn a lot from other countries in terms of how they support youth music projects. Certainly in the Nordic countries, there is often a greater willingness to place a higher value on their young people - both by being encouraged to play in the first place, but also by receiving financial support to do so through the educational structure, or via subsidised rehearsal facilities or with touring support. 

“Any time that children can see someone who is ‘just like them’ being successful, it can’t help but inspire them. At that point, it becomes less about where the funding came from, but instead the priceless hope that it could happen for them too.”

Hazel Davis is mother to two daughters who participate in grassroots projects.

“My children are 13 and 12 - the oldest is in the Halle Youth Choir, the youngest is in NCO and Huddersfield Choral Youth Choir, and we're all part of a local grassroots music organisation,” she explains. “Grassroots projects are so vital to music in the UK. How many artists do we know who have come up through community projects or who were exposed to music outside of school? Music in schools is all but decimated in some areas, though teachers are trying their best. 

“As the mother of a daughter in a rock band, I think it's great to see similar groups winning prizes. There can be a bit of a perception that it's not ‘real’ rock if you have to rely on adults to ‘help’ you, but seeing people who have come up through similar ranks helps to show young people that it's all grist to the mill.”

‘The arts scene in the north is so vibrant!’

With bands like English Teacher bringing the northern music scene to the forefront of public consciousness, many agree that it’s important for aspiring musicians to see a diverse range of winners.

“I think it is great for a northern band to win the prize,” admits Callum. “It is important to recognise the huge amount of talent we have all across the UK, and celebrate and promote that. Opportunity should never be limited to a single location. From a personal standpoint, I teach up north and regularly perform in northern venues, so I have experienced first-hand how vibrant the arts scene is.”

Hazel concurs. 

“We live in the north, I'm in a band in the north and with two children who are likely to want to go into music professionally, it's great to see successful bands outside of London,” she says. “I don't want my kids to feel they have to go to the capital to ‘make it’ and we already know lots of successful musicians living in the north who are playing with well-respected bands and artists and this is really important. 

“As someone who lives in Huddersfield, it's always good to see the north represented in anything!”

Mark says that it’s not only areas of the country which need greater representation in the music business.

“It’s not just a north versus south thing, it’s also state versus private education - with none of the six finalists in the recent BBC Young Musician of the Year coming from state schools,” he explains. “It’s undeniable that there is a postcode lottery in our youth music system.”

‘Music needs to be made more accessible’ 

While the existence of grassroots projects is undeniably vital to music around the country, they’re under attack due to a lack of funding. 

“I'm involved in several grassroots music projects and it's really hard,” says Hazel. “Councils and organisations need to be prepared to put the money and time into them and see the benefits. We know the economic benefits of fostering culture but it's so often middle-class or already-enthusiastic parents - like me! - who encourage their children into music and the arts. So we're seeing no diversity. 

“More really needs to be done to make music accessible and reachable. My children wouldn't be doing all the music they do in a vacuum, it needed us to put loads of effort into nurturing it and looking for the opportunities. Many parents aren't that lucky or able.”

Callum suggested that the best way to do this is to show support for various organisations. 

“If you’d like to support grassroots projects, you can donate to charities such as Music Venue Trust or PRS foundation, which help keep music alive in your communities,” he urged. “Additionally, attending events and sharing your experiences on social media is a brilliant way of promoting and amplifying your community projects reach.”

Mark agreed. 

“A greater recognition of the ripple effect into other areas of society and the lives of young people that music can have would go a long way,” he mused. “When I wanted to further my music education thirty years ago, when I was aged 16, there was a perception that my parents should make me study a ‘real subject’. 

“Thankfully, they backed me and I’ve had a career in music ever since… but sadly, I don’t think we’ve moved on much when it comes to the all too frequent view of music as a secondary subject.” 

‘Never stop encouraging your children’ 

Despite the hardships grassroots projects are facing, the impact they have on communities is so valuable to the creative industries.

“The value of learning music as a child is immense,” says Callum. “It teaches us collaboration, patience, discipline and how to express our emotions in a positive way. Whether or not your child goes on to pursue a career in music does not change the value it can have or the integral role it can play in their early development.” 

Hazel went as far to describe playing in a group as “life changing”. 

“I play in a mixed strings group with both my daughters and have done since they were four and five, and there's nothing quite like it,” she says. “I also play in a wind band with the youngest, and a ukulele group with the older one and it's an incredible bonding experience. 

“Moreover, being part of these ensembles means they learn how to work as a team and how to be part of something bigger. They have developed their presentation skills, self-esteem and discipline. It's so important!”

Mark agreed.

“This isn’t just about music,” he finished. “It’s about the well-established wellbeing and mental health benefits that come with it. It’s about communication skills, teamwork, leadership, vulnerability and so much more. Never stop encouraging your children.”