CityLife

The Backdoor Music Project - Rochdale's community rock revolution

WhiskyCats gigging for Rochdale

ENTHUSIASM, hard work, community spirit – these are the essentials you need for the foundations of any decent local music scene.

But on top of this, it always helps to have an extra injection of finances; especially finances of the whopping, life-changing variety.

That’s certainly what happened in Rochdale, at the Backdoor Music Project, the very epicentre of the town’s young musicians’ scene.

As you may have seen on Channel 4’s The Secret Millionaire programme last year, the Rochdale youth music project was given a fairly substantial sum – £70, 000 – in order to save its fortunes and expand its operations.

True generosity

The Backdoor Music Project first began in 2000, the brainchild of Carol Moore and David Hoyle, two Rochdale residents who wanted to provide a space for young aspiring musicians to perform, socialise and practise their trade.

Through a mix of hard work and true generosity (the project has been run by unpaid volunteers since it began), the Backdoor Project has come to signify the very definition of a real ‘community project’.

It takes into account the social and economic problems of the Rochdale area, and providing a broad platform for music-obsessed teenagers to pursue their passions.

As seen on the Channel 4 programme, it’s the under-18s side of the project which has emerged most triumphant.

With everything from live band nights to music  workshops, the Backdoor Music Project is not just engaging with teenagers on a rock’n’roll level.

Creating opportunities

They are also showing teens how to be more hands-on in the music biz; from hosting nights, to live technology to things like gig promotions.

Put simply, it’s like a little Rock School – or perhaps make that ‘Roch School’.  

“The Backdoor Music Project isn’t just about teenagers and bands,” explains Noelene Phythian, one of the organisers of the project.

“It’s about creating opportunities on a wider level. It’s the Rochdale community and the generosity of people which makes the project work. But The Secret Millionaire has definitely given us a whole new momentum.”

 Now the Backdoor Music Project is expanding its rock empire further – by hosting its first ever over-18s band nights. Starting on Saturday, February 7, and running once a month, the over-18s nights aim to establish Rochdale as a musical utopia in its own right.

Amazing new bands

Despite some amazing new bands emerging from Rochdale in recent years (WhiskyCats and Bye Bye Johnny to name but two), live music venues have struggled to establish themselves in the town.

Backdoor Music Project aims to rectify that, having now secured a licence for the bar and booking some of Manchester’s best new bands to entertain an over-18s audience.

 Noelene explains. “There’s very few live music venues in Rochdale, and it’s a real shame, when there’s so many good rock bands who’ve emerged from Rochdale in recent years.

''We’re trying to showcase off all the amazing hidden talent in Rochdale. It’s not about money or ripping off the bands – we’re not a business, so everyone involved is doing it for the love of the project and for Rochdale itself. It’s all an extension of the community aspect.”

Rock’n’roll revolution

With community spirit like that, there’s plenty to suggest that a real Rochdale rock’n’roll revolution might be just around the corner.

 But for now, the excitement is all about their launch night this Saturday, featuring live performances from Sound Stripe, Fair Do’s and Toby. Over the coming weeks, expect appearances from CityLife faves like WhiskyCats, Bye Bye Johnny and Hidden Revolution.

The Backdoor Project Over-18s Night launches this Saturday (7 February). Broadwater Centre, Smith Street, Rochdale. For more info visit – www.backdoormusicproject.com