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There has never been a better time to become part of Exeter’s growing music scene. You can alter the musical landscape through a number of unique opportunities available on your doorstep: whether you want to play, watch, discover, influence, promote or write – Exeter has it all. Here are just some of the ways you can get involved:
Extunes and Campus Bands – Radiohead, Coldplay and The Computers have all come out of Exeter in recent years. Now it’s your turn to become a member of the city’s illustrious alumni by starting up a band. The best way is to sign up to Extunes and Camus Bands in order to source band members, use practise spaces and keep up to date with events. Later in the year, Timepiece hosts the annual Battle of the Bands contest in which bands wage war on each other for the unequivocal right to call themselves the university’s best band.
Xpression FM – If your interests or talents lie in the airwaves rather than on paper, then the university’s award-winning radio station, XpressionFM, could be right up your street. You can join the passionate music team, have a role in Exeposé’s own radio show Xmedia, and could even present your own show after receiving the necessary training on offer every term. It costs a mere £10 each to sign up to Xpression and Exeposé for the year – an absolute snip for the fun you will have.
Exeposé – Exeposé, the university’s most widely read newspaper, offers an inclusive and professional platform for budding journalists to showcase their talent. Be sure to sign up to the paper during Freshers Week to receive content calls, acquire press passes with interview opportunities, and mix with like-minded music lovers. We’re all right, I promise.
Events Management – There are a host of opportunities (some paid) to promote and organize events across campus and in town. Original Sin (Arena, Mosaic) is always after new recruits, while other nights like Beats & Bass and Thick as Thieves would love to have you on board their murky ships. Meanwhile, Feast Your Ears and KINK are exciting new indie nights looking for students who share a passion for live music and eclectic tastes. If this sounds like your gig then contact the clubs/events directly. A word of warning: be careful not to become that facebook friend who shamelessly spams ‘2-1 drinks deals at Arena this Thursday night only!’ on every status. Its not clever and sure ain’t cool.
Live music – Although not renowned for its live music scene, Exeter attracts an impressive array of big and small acts. The Cavern, The Cellar Door, Mama Stones and Exeter Phoenix are the first ports of call if you want to get up close to some live action in the city. That said, your best bet is to travel to nearby Bristol in order to catch the really big fish. Exeposé Music often gets its mitts on a pair of press passes for gigs in Exeter and Bristol, so drop us a line if you ever fancy seeing a band in return for a pithy, eloquent well-written review.
DJs – It’s going to be an exciting year for Exeter’s dance music scene. Nights like Beats & Bass, Thick as Thieves and Our House are proving to be more and more popular, so why not get involved and show the growing crowds what you have in your locker? Beats & Bass put on great DJ workshops for society members. But the best advice is to embrace the DIY ethic and contact the events directly. You could land yourself a resident spot at one of the clubs in no time.
Drama productions – Plays offer a whole host of musical opportunities, from belting out a chorus to getting involved with the sound production side of things. Sign up to the drama societies and keep your eyes peeled for the vast array of productions that take place across the university throughout the year.
Go, go, go!
Ben Clarke, Online Music Editor
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