American rock band, Foo Fighters, has teamed up with Europe’s largest rock school, Rocksteady, to announce Just PLAY, a free live music education experience.
Children across the UK will have the opportunity to learn to play a Foo Fighters riff or groove in 30 minutes, regardless of whether or not they’ve ever played an instrument.
In 2018, Foo Fighters’ frontman, Dave Grohl, released PLAY, a two-part mini-documentary which celebrated the rewards and challenges of playing and mastering a musical instrument. In a similar vein, the Rocksteady Just PLAY workshops will offer young people the chance to have a go at playing an instrument.
The event takes place on Saturday 16 February 2019 in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Northampton, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Guildford, Kingston and Romford. Children aged from 5 to 16 can turn up throughout the day and start learning to Just PLAY a Foo Fighters song.
As well as getting to be part of a real rock band, children who take part in the event will also be entered into a prize draw on the day to win merchandise including T-shirts, vinyl albums and signed drumsticks.
Rocksteady CEO, Scott Monks, said:
‘If you can help a young person feel like a rockstar for a day, you can inspire them into a lifelong love of making music and you can’t get much more inspirational than the Foos!’
‘One of the exciting things about this event is that it is for everyone, regardless of ability. If you’ve ever dreamed of playing in a band or trying a new instrument, make sure you come along and get involved – it’s going to be an unforgettable day for everyone.
‘We see firsthand every day the massive benefits music can have to children’s confidence, wellbeing and sense of identity. Some of the children who need music in their lives the most would not necessarily consider themselves musical and so it is imperative that they are given the opportunity as early as possible to pick up an instrument and just play.’
Dave Grohl said:
‘Watching my kids start to play music and learn to sing or play drums, it brings me back to the time when I was their age listening to albums, learning from listening.’
For more information about Just PLAY, please click here.
Header photo: A young drummer © Rocksteady Music School
