READIPOP is back, and better than ever.
This weekend marks the return to form for the charity’s live events, which has been quietly renovating after a number of years seeking a new permanent home, with a special event full of live music, tours, workshops, and much more.
Readipop’s Yard Party will bring live performances from the likes of The Pink Diamond Revue, Puma Theory, Finessa & Shy Zer0, Beatroots Bateria, Tankata Percussion, and Rob Woodward’s SuperAudioNation.
As well as live music, it will also welcome attendees for tours of its new permanent home (including the performance space and studios), family workshops, and streetfood.
It marks the first event back in Readipop’s new form, after unveiling its new digs last month.
Its new permanent base in Trafford Road has marked something of an upgrade for the charity following a period of work on improving its facilities and offerings for those it works with.
The new building features a brand new studio, complete with a mixing desk, an electric drum kit, amps, and a dedicated vocal booth.
It also has a performance space on the ground floor, and a new home for its XOX project– an impressive collection of synthesisers which can be used by the young people Readipop works with.
There is also more space for the charity’s admin office, so that volunteers and organisers have more space to carry out their work.
As well as its considerable community work, Readipop is also a major driver of local music in Reading, most prominently with its celebrated annual festival.
Not only does the festival bring music royalty like Roni Size, Goldie Lookin’ Chain, Ash, Professor Green, and The Primitives to Christchurch Meadows, but it also showcases emerging artists from right here in Reading.
At the launch of Readipop’s new studios, charity Chair Chris Bloomfield said the charity is about “Transforming and improving lives.
“We work with younger people who, for one reason or another, aren’t having the greatest of times, through referrals or one-to-one work
“But we also do a lot of intergenerational work, such as through open-access music groups, and outreach work at schools and community centres.”
He explained: “It’s amazing the impact the studio environment has on kids who are otherwise struggling in a formal or academic environment.
“We change lives; even for those without specific musical ability. We give the opportunity to find out about the music business, to play live, put records together– however, we want our young people to walk away with a sense of wonderment, and an environment for them to feel comfortable in.”
Harrison Screen, Music Leader and Supervisor at Readipop, said: “We facilitate whatever our referrals want to do; they don’t need any musical experience.
“I can see the progress after having been here for five years–we got a message from one of our young people who, when they started had been kicked out of college, and now they’re in full time work and making their own music.
“We become a safe space for when things aren’t great at home, or if they need something to do; people who aren’t confident come and get comfortable with the space and make friends.”
The Readipop Yard Party takes place at Readipop Studios, 15 Trafford Road, from 1pm on Saturday, August 22.
Tickets are free, but a donation to the charity is encouraged.
Full details and tickets are available via: whatsonreading.com/venues/readipop
More information about Readipop’s extensive community work is available via: readipop.co.uk
