Live Music Skills Workshop
Monday 17th August 2026
10:00am – 6:00pm
Palladium Club, Bideford
This workshop is designed to give young musicians the practical skills, knowledge and confidence needed to perform live. Whether you're preparing for your first gig or looking to develop as an artist, you'll learn both the creative and technical sides of live music in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Who Is It For?
This workshop is open to girls, trans and non-binary young people aged 14–18 who want to:
Build confidence performing live
Learn songwriting and artist development skills
Understand live music production and equipment
Feel comfortable setting up and troubleshooting their own gear
Learn how to work effectively with sound engineers and venue staff
Meet and connect with other young musicians in a supportive environment
By the end of the day, you'll have a stronger understanding of both performance and live production, along with practical skills that can help you feel more confident stepping onto any stage. Whether you're a singer, songwriter, instrumentalist or aspiring band member, you'll leave with the tools, knowledge and confidence to make live performance less intimidating and more enjoyable.
Join us for the complete experience, covering songwriting, artist development, stage confidence, live performance skills, music gear, live sound and working with sound engineers.
Morning Session: Songwriting & Performance Skills
Songwriting & artistic development
Developing your unique style and identity as an artist
Dealing with stage nerves and performance anxiety
Building confidence on stage
Performance and stage presence techniques
Connecting with your audience
Focus on songwriting, artistic development, stage presence and overcoming performance nerves.
Afternoon Session: Live Music Production & Technical Skills
Stage gear setup and preparation
Music equipment basics
Understanding microphones, amplifiers, pedals and PA systems
How to use your own gear effectively in a live setting
Solving common live music equipment problems
Introduction to live music production and sound
Understanding what sound engineers do
How to communicate your performance needs clearly and professionally with sound engineers
Sound Engineer Q&A – ask anything about gigs, equipment, soundchecks and live production
Learn the technical side of live music, including gear setup, troubleshooting, live sound production and how to communicate effectively with sound engineers.
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DIY spaces
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Creating safe
〰️ DIY spaces 〰️ Creating safe
Bideford Music Day 27th June 2026
We are incredibly excited to have a tent at Bideford Music Day and for our students to be performing as part of this fantastic community event.Encore Music Academy brings together three independent music businesses with a shared passion for developing musicians, building confidence, and creating opportunities through live music, collaboration, and creativity.
Bold Note Vocal Coaching – led by Lizzie Seery, specialising in contemporary vocal coaching, performance skills, vocal confidence, and artist development.
North Atlantic Drum Academy – delivering engaging drum tuition and helping students develop rhythm, technique, confidence, and performance experience.
Bideford Guitar Lessons – providing guitar and bass tuition for players of all ages and abilities, with a focus on practical musicianship and playing together.
At our Encore tent, visitors will be able to experience what we’re all about, bringing musicians together through live jamming, creativity, and a shared passion for making music. There will be opportunities for people to chat with tutors, meet students, and get involved in informal jam sessions featuring guitar, bass, drums, and vocals.
We’re especially proud that our students will also be performing on the main stage, showcasing their hard work, confidence, and musical development in front of the local community.
Bideford Music Day is a brilliant celebration of local talent, and we’re thrilled to be part of an event that champions music, creativity, and community spirit.
We can’t wait to see everyone there!
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DIY spaces
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Creating safe
〰️ DIY spaces 〰️ Creating safe
Riot Girls! International Women’s Day March 8th 2026
To celebrate International Women's Day, Bold Note Vocal Coaching and Get Me The President hosted Riot Girls a day dedicated to powerful female voices, raw energy, and the spirit of women in music.
The event brought together an incredible group of musicians, including first time performers to showcase their talent, and connect with other female artists. It created a space for local musicians to highlight what they do, collaborate, and celebrate the women in the local music scene. The day was all about confidence, giving musicians a platform, community, and amplifying female voices.
Riot Girls was a celebration of women supporting women, stepping onto the stage, and owning their sound.
A platform for women in music and art. Inclusive, imperfect, and unapologetically rebellious. Share the stage. Disrupt the norm. Feel empowered. Keep creating.”
EVERY TUESDAY JAM NIGHT
@ PALLADIUM CLUB, bideford
Every Tuesday, the stage becomes a vibrant, welcoming hub for musicians, singers, poets, and comedians. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or stepping on stage for the first time, Jam Night is a supportive space to try things out, build confidence, and perform live.
It’s the only open mic in North Devon where you can perform with a live band, giving you a rare chance to experience what it’s really like to play on stage with other musicians. All styles and abilities are welcome.
Jam Night is also a brilliant opportunity to meet and connect with local musicians, collaborate, and become part of the grassroots music scene. Come to perform, to watch, or just to soak up the atmosphere, everyone is welcome.