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Category: News

Music Co-op on Film!

As part of the Mill Race cultural programme, funded by Historic England, documentary filmmaker Charles Fletcher and his team have made a short about the past and present of people living and working in this historic area of Lancaster.

As the Music Co-op is a long-established hub in this cultural zone of the city, they asked us to be involved in the film. On a very cold and rainy day in December, our project manager Anthony Dickens and Co-op member Derek Meins gave a (slightly awkward! Interview which has been included in the documentary. In their debut screen performance, they talk about the history of the building, the current renovation project and plans for the Co-op’s future. Think Laurel and Hardy… on a building site… in the rain… with hard hats on.

To catch their Oscar-teasing performances, you can attend the film premiere on Saturday 25th February at the cinema room in the Gregson Centre, Moor Lane, LA1 3PY. The 20-minute screenings will be on loop between 3-5pm and everyone is welcome. Tickets are free and can be booked using the QR code on the poster above. Refreshments will be available from the downstairs bar.

We’d like to thank Charles and his team for asking us to be involved. As ever, we’re also very grateful to our funding partners Lancaster City Council, the Community Ownership Fund, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Lancaster High Street Heritage Action Zone and Historic England. We’d also like to thank all our supporters who have donated, bought t-shirts and helped out at fundraiser events. (that does sound a bit like an Oscar’s speech, to be fair)

Hopefully see some of you at the screening. Keep it Co-operative!

A Celebration of the Lancaster Music Scene!

We’re very excited to announce a special event that we’ve organised with our friends at Lancaster University.

On Saturday 16th of March 2024, a Co-op curated line-up of local musicians will be taking to the stage at the Great Hall on the Bailrigg campus. Kicking the evening off, Barry Lucas, promoter of legendary university gigs and author of the book, ‘When Rock Went to College’, will be doing a Q+A with library curator, Andrew Barker. They’ll be reminiscing and telling the ‘behind-the-scenes’ stories of concerts by likes of The Who, Pink Floyd and U2.

Following their illuminating chat about gigs of the past, the Co-op have curated live performances by four of the most exciting acts making music in Lancaster today.

There will be street food and merchandise stalls, as well as a fully stocked bar. Tickets give you access to the whole event, including Q+A and live music. To make sure you don’t miss out, book yours in advance here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-night-at-the-great-hall-a-celebration-of-the-lancaster-music-scene-tickets-799925507727?aff=oddtdtcreator

Here’s the line-up for the live show:

Field Lines Cartographer

Ambient experimental synth soundscapes expertly crafted by Mark Burford aka Field Lines Cartographer. With an ever-growing catalogue of releases on labels such as the electronic tastemaker, Castles in Space, Mark’s live show is an immersive, dream-like experience. For an idea of what to expect, take Juno records’ word, ‘If you like the more out there work of Zeit-era Tangerine Dream and Michael Stearns then this is one trip you need in your life.’ (Juno, 2023).

https://fieldlinescartographer.bandcamp.com/

Hawkmen Dive

Skilfully arranged alternative rock/indie songs with poetic wordplay, Hawkmen Dive evoke the spirit of Chrissie Hynde and early P J Harvey. Performing songs from their recently released live E.P., the Lancaster based band are a must-see for fans of intelligent guitar music.

https://hawkmendive.bandcamp.com/album/live-ep-1

Maja Bugge and Dave Shooter

Maja Bugge is a Norwegian cellist and composer based in Lancaster. Since 1998 she has created a large body of work both as a solo artist and in collaboration with others. Her work has been commissioned by Manchester Jazz festival, Lancaster Arts, Full of Noises, the National Theatre Oslo and Jazz North. In this special show, Maja will be performing alongside improvised electronic musician and producer Dave Shooter. Dave releases his own music as Guerrilla Biscuits as well as curating Lancaster Jazz festival and the celebrated electronic club night, Hymns for Robots.

https://majabugge.bandcamp.com/

Good Boy Nikko

Slick production, nifty grooves and dreamy vocoder hooks, Good Boy Nikko create toe-tapping bedroom ‘vanilla pop’ perfection. Regulars on the Lancaster gig and festival scene, their warped chill out bangers have recently received airplay on BBC Introducing. Tune in, check out and relax… but above all, have yourself a little dance!

https://goodboynikko.bandcamp.com/

Come and join us at this special event to show your support for the Co-op and to celebrate the vibrant past, present and future of the Lancaster music scene!

  • Date: Saturday, 16th March
  • Time: 5.30pm – late
  • Location: Great Hall, Lancaster Univeristy, Bailrigg, LA1 4ZA
  • Ticket Price: £8 advance – £10 on the door

Book tickets:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-night-at-the-great-hall-a-celebration-of-the-lancaster-music-scene-tickets-799925507727?aff=oddtdtcreator

Up on the roof!

Happy New Year Co-op gang! We’re starting 2024 off with a bang. Our contractors, Duckett Building Services are back on site this week and are making great progress.

 

They’ve taken off old leaky roof and put up a scaffold for access to install the new (hopefully less leaky) roof! No more umbrellas catching the leaks! No more indoor pigeons!

It’s really exciting to see the work coming along so well. We’re very grateful to our funding partners Lancaster City Council, the Heritage Action Zone and the Community Ownership Fund. What’s most exciting though is the prospect of YOUR Co-op being open again soon! We can’t wait to welcome you back. Stay tuned for more exciting news.

£700,000 renovation work gets underway at iconic Lancaster music venue

A £700,000 project to transform the iconic Lancaster Musician’s Co-Operative into a “modern, inspiring and creative” community asset is now underway.

Work started at the Lodge Street rehearsal and recording venue at the end of November, with the first phase expected to last up to 30 weeks.

The project will see a comprehensive renovation of the existing two-storey 19th century warehouse and its adjoining cottage, with four brand new music rehearsal rooms, a state-of-the-art recording and control room, and a first-floor performance space.

It will also include restrooms, lounges, and waiting areas for musicians and visitors.

The project is being funded by Lancaster City Council, central government’s Community Ownership Fund, and Lancaster High Street Heritage Action Zone.

Additionally, Lancaster Musician’s Co-Operative (LMC) is collaborating with students from Lancaster University’s School of Architecture, who will be working with them to generate ideas for the creative re-use of the premises.

The designs are due to be unveiled later this year.

Carnforth based Duckett Building Services were chosen by the LMC team to carry out the first phase construction work, which involves re-roofing, some demolition, the removal of partitioned areas, and minor structural repairs.

Paul Healey, works manager for Duckett Building Services, said: “The aim is to transform these historic buildings into spaces that meet modern standards while preserving their architectural character and heritage value.

“Personally, and as a company, we are delighted to be involved in the restoration of such an iconic building.

“Although I have lived locally all my life, I was not aware of what it had to offer and the passion that all involved have towards the building is infectious.

“Anyone you speak to about the job always smiles about the memories they have and hopefully we can bring that back to them with the new, improved Music Co-Operative.”

After years of campaigning and fund-raising, LMC finally signed a new lease and funding agreement with Lancaster City Council, the building’s owner, in September.

A new LMC steering group, which includes recently appointed project manager Anthony Dickens, who will oversee the refurbishment, is now working with Lancaster City Council, Heritage Action Zone, and local consultants to ensure a bright future for the venue.

Anthony said: “The design will seamlessly blend the historical elements of the buildings with modern design and functionality to create an inspiring and creative environment for musicians and artists to collaborate and perform.

“The building already has a history of recording artists forming bands and creating long lasting friends from university and the surrounding area.

“Lancaster Music Co-Op is, and will once again be, integral to Lancaster’s cultural scene, which has a

huge impact on the local area and is a real source of value.”

Anthony said that once the refurbished LMC is fit for purpose, the team will seek to engage more partners and participants by employing a full-time worker whose remit will include community engagement.

He added: “Projects we already have in mind include volunteer mentorship for those starting out and from more established musicians, producers and sound engineers; studio tours to give an insight into the workings of the Music Co-op to dispel myths of exclusivity, and partnership meetings in the new communal space to promote cultural inclusivity and integration.”

Holly Blackwell, who has spearheaded the campaign to bring LMC back into use, said: “It’s amazing to see work finally start on repairing the building.

“We’ve worked for years to get to this stage so it’s a joyous feeling to now see it come to fruition.

“All of the old rehearsal rooms have now been demolished so it’s quite a surreal experience walking in there and seeing an empty shell of a factory building.

“We just can’t wait to see the work finished and the Music Co-op back up and running.”

Council Commitment Is Music to Co-op’s Ears

Local music lovers are celebrating this week thanks to the signing of a momentous lease and funding agreement with Lancaster City Council that will secure the future of the city’s much-loved Music Co-operative (LMC).

Members of the Co-op’s steering committee, after years of tireless campaigning and fund- raising, signed the essential document on Monday morning.

Holly Blackwell, from the LMC said: “This is a totally momentous occasion for Lancaster Music Co-op and for future generations of musicians in the city. 

We’ve been trying to get a long-term lease on the building for more than twenty years, so today we’re all absolutely joyous that finally we’ve secured the future of the Music Co-op for years to come.”

She added, “We’ve all worked so hard to bring this about and it just feels amazing to be able to finally start work on repairs to the building and getting it back up and running for all the bands and musicians across the Lancaster district and beyond, now and in the future.

We’ve still got lot of hard work ahead of us. But we’re up for it. Bring it on!”

Located on Lodge Street in the city since 1985, the Music Co-op has provided a safe, accessible and affordable space for musicians, from beginners to professionals, to rehearse and record. Sadly, over the years the heritage building deteriorated to the point where the cost of major structural repairs rendered the popular facility unusable and it was forced to temporarily close.  

Councillor Nick Wilkinson, cabinet member with responsibility for regeneration, skills and digital innovation, said: “For over 30 years Lancaster Music Co-op has been a vital resource for the city’s musicians. The signing of the lease agreement has been a long time coming and helps to ensure the future of the Co-op, placing the organisation on a secure footing so it can continue to play its important role in our cultural offer.”

Watch the video of the lease signing here:

New appointment hits the right note for Co-op

The team at the Lancaster Musicians’ Co-operative are pleased to announce that they have appointed a Project Manager to oversee the refurbishment of the much-missed city centre facility.

Anthony Dickens, a qualified architect and project manager with many years’ experience in the UK and overseas, including working with historic buildings, has taken the reigns of the project thanks to funding secured from the Government’s Community Ownership Fund

Jayne McFadyen, from the cooperative’s steering group says, “We were really encouraged by the impressive number of strong applications that we received for this post and after a thorough selection process we were delighted to offer the role to Anthony. His many years of experience working in this sector, coupled with a genuine enthusiasm for the local music scene made him the perfect candidate.”  

She added, “We can’t wait to get working on the next phase of the Music Coop’s redevelopment with Anthony at the helm”.

The Lancaster Music Co-op have occupied 1 Lodge Street in the city since 1985, but over the years the building has deteriorated to the point where it needs major structural repairs. As a result, the Co-op had to move out and the building is temporarily closed.

In 2018 Lancaster City Council, owners of the building, passed a resolution which committed itself to undertaking repair work and to securing the Co-op’s future through a long-term lease but movement has been slow. 

Anthony is keen to see rapid progress and is already busy making headway. He said,“I’m thrilled to be working on this important project. As a lover of live music and as a lifelong supporter of the local scene I, like many other Lancastrians, value the importance of the Music Co-op and what it provides for the wider community. I’m really excited to be joining the team that will bring this essential facility back to life”.

Please join us in welcoming Anthony to the team!

Post Launch Event Update March 2023

Hi everyone,

And welcome to the Co-op blog! Thanks to all of you who came along to our information event on March 16. So great to see so many faces down there and so much support from our community. Plus it was great to see so many young new bands performing. It’s really exciting to be working towards getting our service back open for the next generation of musicians. Huge thanks to 40/40A, Eoin Feeley, Varicose Veins, The Call Up and Hellen and Amy for running the open mic. Plus our ward councillors Caroline Jackson and Tim Hamilton Cox for joining our Q and A session.

Continue reading “Post Launch Event Update March 2023”

New Website and Launch Party

Welcome to the fresh, revamped and fully-revitalised Lancaster Music Co-Op website.

We’ve got loads to share – it’s been a while since we posted any updates, but there’s plenty to talk about…

First up, you’re invited to join us at the official launch party for this spanking new website on the evening of Thursday March 16. It will take place at The Pub, on China Street, Lancaster, starting at 7pm and everyone’s welcome.

Along with live music, there’ll be the chance to chat with the Co-Op team, musicians and local event organisers and of course get the low-down on what’s been going on behind the scenes to secure the future of your beloved Music Co-Op.

On the night, we will share our plans for the website and let you know how you can get involved in shaping it into what we know will become an essential community hub – a place to promote gigs, organise shows, create bands and celebrate everything that’s great about our creative city.

So, make a note of the date and please do come along and be part of the Co-Op conversation. We look forward to seeing you.

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