Music

We Are Lewisham and we say thank you for the music.

Music is the soundtrack to our lives and is an incredibly powerful outlet for creativity. Music can evoke memories and be used for relaxation, to improve our mood or energise and motivate. Music has the power to inspire change and the music scene has influenced everything from fashion to activism. Everyone has different musical tastes and influences and music forms part of many cultural traditions.

Listening to music brings people together and can counter loneliness and isolation. It can also be used to educate and provide a voice to those who feel unheard.

Here in Lewisham, we have a rich musical history and we want to celebrate all things musical through this month’s Creative Challenge. We’d love to see what you’ve made. Share your musical instruments on social media tagging @WeAreLewisham #CreativeChallenge #Lewisham2022

Make Musical Instruments at Home

Together with Lewisham Music, we invite you to get creative at home and make percussion instruments from recycled materials to make your very own junk orchestra!

Lewisham Music’s Schools Music Leader, Sarah Plummer, created some great videos and downloadable worksheets during lockdown which give top tips about making instruments at home and making music and writing songs using your homemade shakers, rubber band instruments and instruments to play with a beater.

Lewisham Mixtape

Did you know that we have our very own mixtape? Lewisham is proud of its rich musical influence – from punk to lover’s rock to grime. Taken from the playlist Catford Island Discs by local DJ Doo Lang, here are her top picks for songs that represent the Borough.

Open Writing Challenge: Your Words, Your Lyrics, Your Story

We Are Lewisham has partnered with Lewisham Music and International Slam Champion Y.A. Poet to launch an exciting new open writing challenge.

Using the prompt ‘Lewisham Life Lessons’ we want you to share your experience of growing up and living in Lewisham.

Y.A. Poet plus a guest panel of judges – acclaimed music producer Intalekt and a member of We Are Lewisham team – will be selecting their ‘Artists’ Pick’ to win a three-hour studio session with Intalekt himself! The prize will be awarded for the ‘most original response to the brief’.

Your words are meaningful and they have power and you deserve to be heard. We can’t wait to hear your creations!

You have 60 seconds to submit a film of your lyrics / your poetry / your rap /.

Tag @WeAreLewisham @lewishammusic and include #CreativeChallenge #WALCreativeChallenge to submit your entry via Instagram by 10 October 2022.

Please note, your entry must be your own words (not copying or plagiarising anyone else).