NDF perform at the launch of Peace Mix. Photo: Matt Crossick/PA

Video: Peace Mix campaign launches to bring young people together through music

Sunday, June 17, 2012
11:43 AM

A new campaign has been launched in London that promotes peace through music.

Peace Mix was created after the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) and conflict resolution social enterprise the New Day Foundation (NDF) joined forces to give young people across the UK a voice.

At the forefront of the newly formed NDF are former Birmingham gang members who after 10 years of feuding are now focusing on building a more peaceful future and are encouraging others to do the same.

The launch of the campaign at the Westbourne Studios in Notting Hill featured performances from some of the young artists who have been supported by BIG and other publicly funded music studios that exist as positive creative spaces for young people across the UK.

Peace Mix ambassador and lead singer of Noisettes, Shingai, was also at the event to share her music industry expertise and offer some words of wisdom to the young people.

The event also kickstarted 11 Peace Mix Mic Relay events being held across the UK, showcasing each area’s top young lyricists, MCs, songwriters, poets, singers and musicians.

A panel of judges will select one local winner from each event to go forward to the semi-final at the Eden Project in Cornwall on August 16, where one overall winner will be chosen to perform at the finale event alongside special surprise guests at London's prestigious Roundhouse on August 28.

Linda Quinn, from BIG, said: "This is a groundbreaking partnership where BIG acts as more than just a funder, and is able to bring people and organisations together to create a campaign that reaches out to young people across the UK to promote peace and understanding and make a positive difference in their community.

"This is a great opportunity for not only musicians, lyricists, MCs, songwriters and poets to come forward to showcase their talent but for all young people to support their peers and to be part of our peace themed collaboration track, which will be launched later this year on the International Day of Peace."