New Town Sounds 2021 is here!

Taking place on Saturday 11th September 2021, join us for a fun-filled day, packed to the rafters with a
plethora of performances, activities, workshops and interactive experiences inspired by summer holidays
past and present.

Taking place across multiple venues, get ready to discover fortune-telling mermaids, Punch and Judy
shows, local band performances, seaside games, DJs, musical singalongs and much more. Even better, it is
ALL free!

The event kicks off with a roaming performance from ‘Big Bold Brass’ who have performed with bands as
diverse as Amy Winehouse, Jools Holland and Jamie Cullum and who will be playing classic hits in an
irresistibly quirky fashion. Alongside this there will be joined by Sapphire Dance School, based in Basildon
as well as a plethora of local music artists, including Jordan Hemingway and Georgia Chandler.

T.I.M.E (Therapy in Musical Expression), an Essex based music service that enables people of all ages,
abilities and backgrounds to express and experiment within a musical environment, will also be taking over
a main stage in Town Square, showcasing excellent local talent with opportunities for visitors to jump up
and have a jam!

Basildon Market has taken on a Cockney theme, inspired by many of the original residents of the town, who post WW2 made the journey from the East End of London to Basildon. Whilst East Walk is being
transformed into a tropical paradise complete with steel band performances and a ‘Pimp your Pineapple’
workshop, giving us a taster of the summer holiday that many of us were not able to embark on this year.

The event has also joined forces with street art programme, Our Towns, who will be celebrating the local people and organisations that co-designed the murals that have recently been installed in the town. Located in Market Square, expect live art from local artists, DJ music and interactive workshops. Alongside this, visitors can book on to free street art tours to learn more about the murals and the stories and people behind them.

Lauren Martin, Co-founder of Things Made Public CIC says:

“We’ve been absolutely overwhelmed by the number of people and venues that have come together to be involved. Everyone has been incredibly positive. After the last year or so of lockdowns and restrictions its exciting to be providing a safe environment for people to have fun and participate in cultural activity”

Venues involved include: Basildon Market, St Martin’s Square, St Martin’s Church, Basildon Library, Towngate Theatre, Town Square, Market Square, The Beehive, The Edge, East Walk, Eastgate Shopping Centre, Craft Shed, The Happy Hub, Basildon Bus Station and Jodhpur’s Kitchen.