A free performance and mentoring programme for 14 to 24-year-olds has been launched by the organisers of Cockermouth Live!
The festival returns to pubs, cafes and venues across the town in July and Cockermouth Live! Takeover aims to support up to 10 young West Cumbrians to hone their skills with a view to performing at next year’s festival.
It is supported by music charity Soundwave and organisers are looking for singers, bands, people who play an instrument, engineers and sound technicians from West Cumbria.
The free programme, paid for by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, aims to help grow confidence in performing, teach about the tech and equipment needed to support a performance, polish up stage presence and gain skills in organising gigs.
The project will include a Takeover showcase gig at Jennings Brewery in January organised by and featuring the young people.
It will culminate in slots, as a performer, technician or both at Cockermouth Live! 2026.
As part of the scheme, the young people will be mentored by a team of professional musicians, songwriters, event organisers and technicians.
There is also the possibility of help with transport to help participants get to the training and mentoring.
Tom Speight, chair of Cockermouth Live! said “We want the festival to appeal to all ages – and we wanted to find a way to do it.
“We think this will really help a bunch of young people to improve the skills they already have and to build their confidence. Working with Soundwave is the perfect fit for this – they are brilliant at this kind of thing.”
Dave Roberts, of Soundwave, added: “Soundwave exists to support young musicians. This is a great chance for us to get to know a group of young people and help them develop as performers and technicians. Cockermouth Live! is such a great festival – and this is a real chance to help it spread its wings in a new direction.”
The closing dates for applications is October 1, 5pm and Cockermouth Live! 2026 takes place from July 2 to July 5.
For more information, go to www.cockermouthfestival.org/takeover/
