HIT THE ROAD is a project run by the Scottish Music Centre and supported by 
Creative Scotland’s Youth Music Initiative and the Big Fund Young Start programme which gives young performers between the ages of 14 and 19 years old the opportunity to learn more about the live music industry, before they are given the opportunity to tour across Scotland.
Registration is now open @ www.hittheroad.org.uk/register
Charlotte Brimner who was on the last tour of the 2012/13 ‘Hit The Road’run. She visited Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Dingwall on a tour that also featured Chloe Latimer, Alice Bentley and Daniel Scott : http://www.facebook.com/musicbycharlotte
Photo by Brian Sweeney
One of the most important rites of passage that any musician can undertake is their first tour. The excitement of taking your music out into the world, meeting new people, seeing new places while living on the open road, has long been the romanticised vision of touring held by young bands, musicians and performers.
As wonderful an experience as it can be, the reality of live music touring is far from a holiday and it is vital to organise the business side of the project before the fun can begin. This is of course easier said than done as there is no one to tell artists what to expect when touring for the first time, that is until now!
‘Hit The Road’ links young people with professional promoters, managers and personnel who will teach them the essential skills needed to take their music out of the practice room and onto the road.
The young acts selected for the project will take part in a series of exclusive workshops, seminars and information sessions before they put their new skills to the test in the real world of rehearsing and touring across Scotland. ‘Hit The Road’ are organising five all expenses paid tours in 2013/14 with the aim of giving emerging artists the opportunity to gain much needed experience on the road.
Since Eilidh Hadden’s ‘Hit The Road’ appearance, Eilidh’s music has been featured on a range of TV shows such as Made in Chelsea, and she has recently picked up management in the US. And, like Model Aeroplanes, Eilidh has attracted major record label interest since taking part in ‘Hit The Road’ : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eilidh-Hadden/273700849338937
Photo by Brian Sweeney
‘Hit The Road’Project Manager Scott Kirkwood comments “I speak to so many young bands and performers who have been disappointed with their early tour experiences and have had to learn lessons the hard way at the coal face of new music. By introducing young acts to experienced professionals I hope that the knock on effect will be a rise in confident, professional and informed acts touring in Scotland.”
Video blogs from previous ‘Hit The Road’ tours can be viewed at www.hittheroad.org.uk
‘Hit The Road’ is run by the Scottish Music Centre and supported by the Youth Music Initiative (YMI). Creative Scotland administers the Scottish Government’s YMI programme, which creates access to high quality music making opportunities for young people, particularly for those that would not normally have the chance to participate. For further details about the YMI programme visit: www.creativescotland.org.uk/ funding/ymi
Model Aeroplanes took part in the second ‘Hit The Road’ tour of the 2012/13 run. Since the tour, they have gone on to do some great things, including playing the BBC Introducing stage at T in the Park and supporting the Editors at the HMV Picture House in Edinburgh : http://www.facebook.com/modelaeroplanes
Photo by Brian Sweeney
The Scottish Music Centre is a national hub and information point, representing all areas of the industry and delivering a wide range of services on a daily basis. Fundamental resources include the online provision of all Scotland’s music news, jobs, event listings and worldwide competitions alongside extensive publicity, research, digital preservation, design and print. Additionally, the Centre houses the largest collection of contemporary classical Scottish music both written and recorded, a vast proportion of which is available for hire or purchase.
The Scottish Music Centre is a key player in developing Scottish talent both locally and internationally through innovative training sessions, education and outreach programmes. Inspirational Concept Sessions have, and continue to introduce countless secondary school music students to well-known musicians and composers, Music Plus provides 14-19 year olds with the unique opportunity to be mentored one-to-one by the finest selection of industry professionals and the Hit the Road touring project aims to link the same age group with professional promoters, managers and personnel who will teach them the essential skills needed to take their music out of the practice room and onto the road!
‘Hit The Road’ venue and promoter partners include DF Concerts (Central Belt), Non-Zero’s (Dundee), The Lemon Tree (Aberdeen), The Oasis Centre (Dumfries), Instinctive Racoon (Glasgow), Beyond (Highlands and Islands).
http://www.facebook.com/hittheroadscotland
http://www.twitter.com/hittheroadtours
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