A Reflection on Make Music Day 2020 

Make Music Day is a global celebration of music that takes in over 125 countries on 21 June. The concept originates from France’s Fete de la Musique which began in 1982 and now involves two thirds of the population of France.

Make Music Day traditionally involves performers, venues, event organisers, volunteers and supporters, with performances in a full spectrum of musical styles, and in a variety of public spaces including libraries, hospitals, schools, town squares, train stations, parks, shopping centres, pubs, cafes and traditional gig venues. 

This year there were over 200 online events from musicians and event organisers all across the UK, with some videos attracting around 50,000 views.  

The official Make Music Day broadcast included 13 hours of performances, workshops and talks, drawing over 17,000 views. The whole programme can be viewed again on Facebook and YouTube.    

Highlights include:

• Musicity Neue Grafik (feat Brother Portrait): As part of the London Festival of Architecture and Make Music Day, Musicity takes audiences on a musical and architectural journey across South London.
• A 6-hour DJ set by Kwaku BBM, spanning over 120 years of British black music: The Great BBM Set is inspired by the top five playlists of British black music, which were submitted by BBM/BMC subscribers. One of the most eclectic was culled from Prof Paul Gilroy‘s 50-track, 7-decade spanning Wire Windrush playlist. 

You can watch and listen to recordings of the day on Make Music Day’s website. And, if you watched any events, please take two minutes to fill in Make Music Day’s audience survey and you'll be in with a chance of winning a £50 Amazon voucher.