SHAFTESBURY : ANNOUNCES SOHO MUSIC MONTH, A FREE MUSIC AND CULTURE FESTIVAL IN JULY

Shaftesbury is proud to announce Soho Music Month, a free festival celebrating the music and cultural history of two London districts, Carnaby and Soho. The month-long occasion will run throughout July with a series of activations, live talks, exhibitions, and music history tours.

Shaftesbury is working alongside over 50 of their retailers and restaurateurs, both independent and global brands to encourage footfall to London's West End. Activations, promotions, collections, new cocktails and dishes will launch at a host of stores and restaurants including Rolling Stones' global flagship store RS No.9 Carnaby, Oliver Spencer, adidas and size?.

Karen Baines, Head of Group Marketing and Comms at Shaftesbury says:'Shaftesbury is delighted to bring Soho Music Month back this year. The campaign highlights the rich music heritage of Carnaby and Soho, and we are excited to work with our shops, bars, cafés and restaurants to showcase the amazing link these areas continue to have with all types of music. The exciting line up of activations will provide visitors with a great experience and further enhance the attraction of the West End'.

The campaign includes a one day vinyl market on Carnaby Street on the 18th July in partnership with Independent Label Market. As well as immersive exhibitions from Ronnie Wood, Music of Youth Culture and Creative Media Network.

Shaftesbury are also funding the creation of an anthem that will pay homage to Carnaby. The competition will grant one winner the opportunity to record a song to be released this winter. The judging panel includes Suggs, BBC Radio 1's Scott Mills and Vick Hope, award winning TV and Radio presenter, activist and published children's author, co-founder of Soho Music Month Vincent Olutayo, producer and founder of Mcasso Music Mike Connaris, and more. Closing deadline is 31st August 2021.

Shaftesbury has chosen to support the charity Youth Music. The national charity works alongside children, young people and smaller youth charities to help nurture aspiring talent. Matt Griffiths, Youth Music CEO says:'Soho Music Month is famous for bringing exciting sounds, culture and celebration to the city. Thanks to our exciting new partnership with Shaftesbury, we'll be able to spread the power of music beyond the event, to benefit young people nationwide. We're really looking forward to being involved in such an iconic music event.'

For full details, dates and to enter the competition visit https://www.carnaby.co.uk/musicmonth-2021/

@CarnabyLondon / @ThisIsSoho / Carnaby.co.uk / ThisIsSoho.co.uk

For further information and images please contact Meghan Ryan or Melissa Langlands at Sister London

[e-mail] / [e-mail] / 020 7287 9601

NOTES TO EDITORS

Carnaby

Carnaby is in the heart of London's West End, where over 100 retail brands of quality and distinction and over 60 independent restaurants, cafes and bars can be found across 14 streets, including the world famous Carnaby Street. Carnaby is a unique and iconic experiential shopping, dining and leisure destination.

Soho

Soho is the creative hub of London's West End with a vibrant mix of independent and concept fashion stores, restaurants and bars. Shaftesbury's Soho portfolio includes 39 shops and 31 restaurants, bars and cafes across several Soho streets including Berwick St, Broadwick St, Denman Street and Brewer Street.

About Shaftesbury

Shaftesbury owns and manages a 16 acre property portfolio in the liveliest parts of London's West End. The portfolio comprises of restaurants, cafés, pubs and shops, extending to apartments and offices in the highly popular, sought-after and prosperous locations of Carnaby, Seven Dials and Chinatown, together with substantial ownerships in East and West Covent Garden, Soho and Fitzrovia. All our properties are close to the main West End Underground stations, and within ten minutes' walk of the two West End transport hubs for the Elizabeth Line, at Tottenham Court Road and Bond Street.

@shaftesburyplc shaftesbury.co.uk

Independent Label Market

Since launching in London in 2011, ILM has brought together hundreds of independent record labels across the UK and in Paris, Berlin, Hamburg, Barcelona, Rome, Brooklyn, LA, Toronto and Tokyo to sell their fresh vinyl produce directly to the public at that traditional goods exchange - a market stall. They are celebrating their 10th Anniversary in style with a series of special events showcasing the diversity of independent music from the World's most eclectic and innovative record labels.

Independent labels at the market include Domino, Mute, Soul Jazz, Rhythm Section and Bella Union, who will sell a special selection of vinyl. @indielabelmkt

Youth Music

We believe every young person should have the chance to change their life through music. Yet our research shows many can't because of who they are, where they're from or what they're going through. Our insights, influence and investment in grassroots organisations and to young people themselves means that more 0-25-year-olds can make, learn and earn in music.

Youth Music is a national charity funded thanks to the National Lottery via Arts Council England, players of People's Postcode Lottery and support from partners, fundraisers and donors. Between 2019/20 projects funded by Youth Music reached 82,269 children and young people. Instagram- @youthmusic_charity

Museum of Youth Culture

The not-for-profit organisation working on preserving, educating and celebrating the history of youth culture in the UK and beyond will be popping up in Carnaby to bring a mixture of activations throughout the month. Launching a gallery and retail concept in the heart of Carnaby Street to celebrate the eclectic history of Music in Soho. The space will showcase a new collection of iconic music posters curated fresh from the archive, supported by an extended edit of Music related book and zines, and featuring a vintage black and white analog photo booth giving you the opportunity to snap that old-school Soho selfie.

@museumofyouthculture

Creative Media Network

Creative Media Network (CMN) aims to develop aspirant and confident young people who possess the skills, networks and resilience needed to help them build prosperous futures.

Working with talented young people from groups often underrepresented in the creative industries, our development programmes bring aspiring creative talent (aged 16-24) into direct contact with real industry professionals and some of the biggest youth-culture brands. Over 12 immersive weeks of accredited training and skills development, beneficiaries are challenged to lead and deliver against genuine creative briefs - supported by a network of creative industry mentors.

@cmnworks

@codeandculture_ / @platformldn / @illust.space / @kingdomdramaschool / @prsfoundation / @ppl_uk