Hope for a generation

There are moments when you grasp hold of the opportunity, then there are moments when you sit back and watch what becomes of a moment. I'm caught in between; Kant called it synthesis.

It deserves to be said.

The amount of raw untapped talent and potential in Middlesbrough is mind blowing. I run an open mic on Thursday nights at the Twisted Lip and week in week out we get incredible acts. From folk story telling about growing up on the streets of Berwick hills to straight up unstoppable rhyme and flow from a local artist just been talent scouted down in the big smoke. It's not an exaggeration, we have it all here. Ballads sang in such voices that bring a crowded rowdy room to absolute silence with just one opening note. Electrifying blues guitar solo's that annually make pilgrimage to Chicago to play alongside blues greats. I'm not even mentioning names because the locals reading this know exactly who and who I'm talking about. If you don't know. You weren't there.

A music scene overflowing with gold, all of it just waiting for someone or something to notice it and go hey! You know what, this place is fucking awesome. A scene built on community and co-operation, not competition and egocentricity.

I am privileged to work in the community alongside many different people and the way things are in the world right now with information wars and global politics its a wonder any of us are still sane. If anything though, what I'm seeing is a growing strength and unity of creative talent and determination to build a better future using the technology and the tools at our disposal.

Hope for a generation... This video was made by one of the local lads I work with in the Myplace youth centre. A future director of the future!

https://youtu.be/7avFGwYfzQg