RIG Arts gig celebrates Greenock Rock School success

Gig @ Rig marked the end of the first block of the Rig Arts Rock School project led by drummer Lesley McLaren. 

The Rock School project is funded by Creative Scotland and facilitated by Rig Arts. 

In the first 12-week block, Lesley was supported by musicians and songwriters Kieran Savage and Carla Easton, and by youth trainee Anna Jack who plays in the band Strange Dimensions.

Young people who get involved in the Rock School benefit from tuition on drums, bass, guitar and synthesiser, and learn more about songwriting, music promotion, using social media, booking gigs, photography and video.

At the showcase event, new bands Bread, The Cords, The Night Janitors and Distillation took to the stage for the first time. 

Well-known bands The Hedrons, Broken Chanter, Black Dove and Poster Paints also performed on the day. 

Bread drummer Louisa Marrone, 15, said she loved the experience of being on stage in the band for the first time. 

She added: "It went really well. 

"I was a wee bit nervous but I knew a lot of people there so that made me more relaxed. 

"It was great to see all of the other bands performing. 

"Rock School has been a great experience, I've really enjoyed it. 

"It's not only about playing the instruments, you learn about the industry. 

"I'm the only one in the band still at school, so it can get a bit overwhelming sometimes but everyone is so supportive."

Eva Tedeschi, 14, singer and guitarist with The Cords said it was amazing getting so much support from all the other bands. 

She added: "It was brilliant to see the bigger bands like the Hedrons and Black Dove and to have their support.

"I was a bit nervous before it but it was really fun. 

"It was very exciting to play our first gig and we can't wait to get onto the stage again. 

"We want to keep going forward as a band and keep coming up with more tunes.

"We're becoming much more confident. 

"We want to thank all of the tutors for all their help and support."

Course leader Lesley McLaren, who is also director of music at Rig Arts, says another three gigs are planned for this year. 

She said it's vital that young people involved in music are given the opportunity to perform.

Lesley added: "It was a great day where experiences and stories were shared. 

"Some young people were on stage for the first time ever so it was a day to remember for them. 

"It's so important for young people learning instruments to get together with people of a similar age, and vital that they're given an environment where they can feel comfortable enough to write songs and perform.

"The social skills and confidence they gain from the experience are life skills and they will take these attributes with them through the rest of their life. 

"Musicians are really good at communicating with all types of people and becoming confident onstage is the first step towards success."