LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE

Communities across the country celebrate the biggest ever Make Music Day UK

More than 70 events will take place across Scotland on 21st June to mark the global annual celebration of music!

Communities across the country celebrate the biggest ever Make Music Day UK

Article Source: Make Music Day UK
Last Updated: 20 June 2022 10:36

A diverse range of free events will take place across the UK this Make Music Day to celebrate the world’s biggest grassroots DIY music festival and mark the global celebration which takes place annually on 21 June. Double the amount of events will take place in Scotland this year compared to 2021, with the vast majority of all UK events being live.

Make Music Day is the UK’s largest single-day music festival, encouraging musicians, producers, promoters and music lovers to collaborate and organise free in-person and online performances in their communities. Solo performers, groups and music creators of all types are invited to take part, regardless of age, ability or musical genre.

This year will see the largest representation from Scotland to date, making up a third of all Make Music Day UK events, and professional music organisations such as RSNO, EIF, Dunedin Consort and Nevis Ensemble will take part in various events. Scottish musicians Nicola Benedetti and Iona Fyfe will also be ambassadors for the festival.

Singer Iona Fyfe said: “Make Music Day has always achieved the goal of bringing people together to create music – with an emphasis on community music-making. Now more than ever, musicians from all backgrounds and experiences are eager to create music with others and collaborate, whether that be online or in person.

“The festival has been so instrumental in merging both online collaboration and in-person events seamlessly and I’m excited to have taken part in the Global Folk Challenge, which will see several musicians share songs from their respective cultures, customs, languages and traditions.”


In Scotland, events already planned include Make Music Day Glasgow at Byres Road and the lanes. The day of live music will consist of free performances in venues including Embargo, Tennents Bar, Ubiquitous Chip and the Record Factory.

A string of events will also take place at Edinburgh Central Library from noon until 6 pm, including performances from the Edinburgh Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra, Fernando and Michalina, Rolling Hills Chorus, Tenement Jazz Band and Drookit.

In one of the largest events of the day Pulse of the Place will be bringing together 100 young street drummers to perform at the foot of The Mound in Edinburgh.

Events can take place anywhere, as highlighted by the event Singy Dipping, where Edinburgh’s famous outdoor swimmers “Wild Ones” will walk into the sea at Portobello and perform some joyful songs, encouraging audience members to watch and listen on the beach or take a dip themselves.

Classical guitarist Jacopo Lazzaretti will also perform a private concert at Aurrida House, Orkney for people who are neurodivergent or experience learning difficulties. Meanwhile, Musicians in Exile, a group of refugee and asylum-seeking musicians in Glasgow who celebrate diverse cultures in song and music, will perform at Govan and Linthouse Parish Church. They will take to the stage to showcase Home, a performance full of stories and songs about people and places the performers left behind, celebrating their cultures through the freedom of song.

All events are free and can be found on the Make Music Day UK website, where anyone can search for an event happening in their local area or online.

In addition to organising their own events for Make Music Day, musicians are invited to take part in one of the many national and international projects designed to encourage global collaboration. Scottish performers will feature in the global Make Music Day broadcast, accompanying performances from Australia, India, Cyprus, Nigeria, Germany and the US.

Paul Gudgin, Co-Director of Make Music Day UK, said: “This is going to be an outstanding year for Make Music Day in Scotland. With the support of Creative Scotland we are presenting a large and incredibly broad programme of live events involving performers of all ages throughout the country.

“Make Music Day will be a timely celebration of the strength of music in Scotland and a symbol of the way music is bouncing back from the pandemic.”


Since beginning as Fête de la Musique in France in 1982, Make Music Day has grown into a global phenomenon that takes place annually in 125 countries, always on 21 June. The event first came to the UK in 2012, and 2017 marked the first UK-wide, coordinated celebration with support and funding from national organisations, resulting in 147 performances. In 2021, Make Music Day saw 30,000 performers present 3,000 events to a combined online and live audience of 330,000 people across the UK.

Alongside the support of partner organisations and their combined networks, development in Scotland is supported by Creative Scotland.

Sponsored Links

Latest Fife News

Aberg, Fleetwood and Hovland set to star in Genesis Scottish Open

Aberg, Fleetwood and Hovland set to star in Genesis Scottish Open

European Ryder Cup stars Ludvig Åberg, Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland are set to reunite at the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open.

READ MORE
Balgove Larder night markets return for its 10th year

Balgove Larder night markets return for its 10th year

Balgove Larder has announced the vendor lineup for its milestone 10th annual Night Markets and it includes some of the best local traders from Fife!

READ MORE
Amy Elles bringing cookery classes and product range to new Bowhouse site

Amy Elles bringing cookery classes and product range to new Bowhouse site

Chef Amy Elles and her husband Jack will announce their first programme of cookery workshops and a shop in the coming months, as they unveil a new space at Fife’s Bowhouse.

READ MORE
Make Time for a Cuppa to help support families with dementia

Make Time for a Cuppa to help support families with dementia

Dementia specialist nursing charity, Dementia UK, is running its 14th annual 'Time for a Cuppa Fundraiser' to raise vital funds for the leading cause of death in the UK.

READ MORE
Discover the magic of trees with Dobbies

Discover the magic of trees with Dobbies

Dobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting children aged four to 10 to a free workshop in May to learn more about trees and how to protect them.

READ MORE
Sign up for 2 free tickets to the Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show

Sign up for 2 free tickets to the Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show

It's just days until the opening of the Homebuilding & Renovating Show, which is back SEC, Glasgow on 11-12 May 2024.

READ MORE
More than 14,100 Kiltwalk heroes step up to achieve record breaking Glasgow event

More than 14,100 Kiltwalk heroes step up to achieve record breaking Glasgow event

Glasgow to Loch Lomond was a sea of tartan today as the world's biggest ever Kiltwalk took place, with fundraising already exceeding £2.5m.

READ MORE
Van Gogh experience announces Scottish premiere dates

Van Gogh experience announces Scottish premiere dates

A spectacular multimedia show celebrating Vincent van Gogh's life and stunning artworks is coming to Glasgow this summer!

READ MORE
A Big Map for the Big Yin! Interactive map launched to celebrate Billy Connolly

A Big Map for the Big Yin! Interactive map launched to celebrate Billy Connolly

National Theatre of Scotland launches a new interactive map for Scotland to demonstrate its love for the Big Yin, inviting people to share their own Billy Connolly memories.

READ MORE
Cast announced for Scottish tour of Hen Night Horror

Cast announced for Scottish tour of Hen Night Horror

Touring Scotland from June, the cast is announced for Hen Night Horror, an original musical comedy that promises to put the willies right up ye!

READ MORE
The Best Home Bar competition from Aldi Scotland returns for 2024

The Best Home Bar competition from Aldi Scotland returns for 2024

Aldi Scotland's popular 'Best Home Bar' competition has returned for another year, with a year's supply of beer up for grabs!

READ MORE
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns for a delicious double helping

Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns for a delicious double helping

Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns to the town this weekend for a two-day feastival with plenty for everyone to sample and enjoy.

READ MORE
Nationwide campaign encourages adults in Scotland to take the plunge

Nationwide campaign encourages adults in Scotland to take the plunge

With a staggering 14 million adults in the UK unable to swim, the team behind The Learn to Swim National Framework has launched a new campaign to encourage adults in Scotland to learn the life skill.

READ MORE
Top tips for visiting the Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show

Top tips for visiting the Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show

Now in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.

READ MORE
New Finds at Culloden Battlefield shed more light on intensity of battle

New Finds at Culloden Battlefield shed more light on intensity of battle

Latest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.

READ MORE
Scottish Game Fair returns for its 35th year

Scottish Game Fair returns for its 35th year

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.

READ MORE
Dobbies Garden Centres unveils Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience

Dobbies Garden Centres unveils Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience

Dobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its stores nationwide.

READ MORE
POSTPONED: Springfest at Loch Lomond Shores

POSTPONED: Springfest at Loch Lomond Shores

This year's Springfest, set to take place this weekend, has been postponed due to forecasted high winds.

READ MORE
Historic sites across Scotland get ready to reopen their doors

Historic sites across Scotland get ready to reopen their doors

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.

READ MORE
Diabetes Scotland will host a virtual event for young people 11 to 25 living with type 1 diabetes

Diabetes Scotland will host a virtual event for young people 11 to 25 living with type 1 diabetes

Join Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.

READ MORE
Local pupil wins Easter hard hat design competition

Local pupil wins Easter hard hat design competition

A local pupil from Pathhead Primary School in Kirkcaldy is the winner of Miller Homes’ first ever Easter hard hat design competition, the homebuilder’s take on the traditional Easter bonnet.

READ MORE
Iconic Noughties stars make cheeky comeback to launch limited edition IRN BRU flavours

Iconic Noughties stars make cheeky comeback to launch limited edition IRN BRU flavours

Noughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!

READ MORE
Free activities this Easter at Dobbies

Free activities this Easter at Dobbies

Dobbies is welcoming families along to 68 of its stores this Easter to enjoy an array of free activities, including its Little Seedlings Club workshop and Easter Holiday sessions.

READ MORE
Deadline looms for 30th Scottish Thistle Awards public nominations

Deadline looms for 30th Scottish Thistle Awards public nominations

The search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.

READ MORE
Springfest is back this April... with all things foodie as well as a host of entertainment and things to do!

Springfest is back this April... with all things foodie as well as a host of entertainment and things to do!

This year's FREE Springfest is playing host to two great Scottish chefs – Niall Murray and Rohan Wadke, who will inspire visitors with their FREE cooking demonstrations.

READ MORE
Fun family favourites leap into action on the big screen this Easter break at Vue

Fun family favourites leap into action on the big screen this Easter break at Vue

A host of brand-new family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the holidays.

READ MORE
A taste of what is to come at Paisley Food and Drink Festival

A taste of what is to come at Paisley Food and Drink Festival

Spring is in the air and with it comes the return of one of Scotland's largest outdoor food and drink festivals to Paisley!

READ MORE
National Theatre of Scotland announce full cast and creative team for Maggie & Me

National Theatre of Scotland announce full cast and creative team for Maggie & Me

Full cast and creatives announced for the tour of Maggie & Me, the first stage adaptation of Damian Barr's award-winning memoir touring UK in May and June!

READ MORE
Dobbies invites nominations for national community initiative

Dobbies invites nominations for national community initiative

Dobbies today launches Dobbies Community Gardens, to offer support for community and charity groups across the UK to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces.

READ MORE
Scottish stovies and strange sheep are announced as the winning entries for The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition

Scottish stovies and strange sheep are announced as the winning entries for The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition

A sinister story involving 'stovies' and a grisly tale about the strange sheep of Greshornish have been chosen as the winning and runner-up stories in The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Goodbye Mr Mackenzie
Celebrated Scottish band Goodbye Mr Mackenzie are going on tour to mark the 30th anniversary re-release of the album “Five” and play PJ Molloys on Saturday 5th October!
Justin Hayward
Legendary singer-songwriter Justin Hayward, The Voice of the Moody Blues, brings his ‘Blue World’ UK Tour to the Alhambra Theatre Dunfermline on Wednesday 9th October!
Illegally Blondie: Blondie Tribute Band
Don't miss Illegally Blondie, a Blondie Tribute Band, at St Andrews United Social Club on Saturday 11th May!
Eurovision Party
Get ready for the ultimate Eurovision bash of the year! Join us at Adam Smith Theatre for our first party of 2024, celebrating the Eurovision Song Contest in style.
Two Bards and a Songbird
Come along to Leslie Town Hall on Saturday 18th May and hear a unique mix of song inspired by William Shakespeare and Robert Burns performed by Jessa Liversidge!

Popular Listings

Adam Smith Theatre Alhambra Theatre Dunfermline Carnegie Hall Corn Exchange Cupar Kings Theatre Kirkcaldy Lochgelly Centre PJ Molloys Rothes Halls Teasses Estate The Byre Theatre St Andrews