Luton music collective Vandalism Begins at Home is curating a stage at the Luton Youth Festival Christmas Fun Day in Leagrave this Saturday, with live sets from some of the best young bands in the area.
The group, who run a popular music and arts fanzine, as well as a record label and live gig promotions, have invited Luton bands The Class and Danger of Drowning to play the VB@H stage alongside Panic Attack and Kick Pistol who released their new single ‘Apparitions’ earlier this month.
The annual festival, run by Leagrave Youth Work Action Group, is usually held in the summer, but had to be cancelled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, on what would have been its 15th anniversary.
So, this year, it returns to St Luke’s Church on the High Street, for a free family friendly Christmas edition.
The VB@H stage is one of two packed with live music and dance, celebrating the talents of the town’s young people – and that’s why the collective got involved.
Co-conspirator and editor of the fanzine, Ben Barry, said: “We’ve spent four years writing about the music and arts talent that exists in Luton and beyond and we’re very passionate about the support and preservation of grassroots music, so when we got invited to curate a stage it seemed a perfect fit.
“There needs to be a route through from a youthful passion for creativity to being able to showcase that to people, so we believe that giving young people the opportunity to not only see that playing music is not only possible, but achievable, it can be the spark that the next generation need to try it for themselves.”
As well as live music, there will also be free workshops, hosted by the Vandalism Begins at Home family of musicians, so families can try their hand at picking up a guitar or thumping the drums.
The festival’s unique environment, in the grounds and buildings of St Luke’s Church, creates an eclectic atmosphere where all generations can come together and celebrate the talent of young people and celebrate the positive creative work of the town’s schools.
Carnival Arts will be providing steel pan and costume making workshops, and they’ll be a big screen movie showing of Snowman and the Snowdog with a selection of short films presented by Bute Street Film Festival.
The event runs from 11am to 5pm on Saturday (November 27) and there will be a Rodeo Rudolf, adult bouncy castle, toddler soft play zone and chance to roast some marshmallows on a winter camp fire.
All activities are free but donations welcome, with all proceeds going directly into providing activities for young people.
Christmas shindig
Vandalism Begins at Home have also just announced a Christmas party shindig collaboration with Bedford music promoters blender, for a festive night of live music at Bedford Esquires on Friday, December 17.
Luton band Dois Padres, who are on VBAH Records, will headline the show, backed by Northampton noise-rock trio Tragic, songstress Viddy and Bedford punk folk chaos merchants The Barrys.
Tickets are pay what you feel on the door for the event which starts at 7pm.
