The Make Music Day checklist

Make Music Day is performed by anyone, enjoyed by everyone. We want 21 June to be filled with as many different events as possible in all sorts of spaces and places. Last year there were over 500 performances across the UK from the Isle of Man to the Isle of Wight and this year promises to be even bigger.

Now the countdown has begun it’s all hands on deck – here’s a checklist to creating a corking event:

Add your event to the website

• Sign up and add your event, be sure to include a description so others know what it’s all about and include the full street address and postcode so that your event appears on our interactive map.
• If you’re putting on a number of performances at one venue, list each performer using ‘add line up’ so that everyone gets a share of the promotion and audiences know what time to expect each act.

Tell your friends

• Let friends, family and work colleagues know you’re running an event for Make Music Day. Use our free marketing resources to print posters and flyers and ask local shops, cafes and businesses to put one in the window or keep a few on the counter.
• Reach more people by posting about your event on social media using #MakeMusicDayUK.
• Get more coverage by adding your event to listings sites such as Eventbrite, to your local paper, or to your city TimeOut guide.

Invite local press

• Find the contact details for your local radio or newspaper online and invite them to come along. Will they do a shout-out live on air, publish a preview, or include you in their listings pages? There’s no harm in asking!
• Why not write a short paragraph or blog for your local paper or work newsletter all about Make Music Day and your event.

Free merchandise

• We’re giving away free bunting, balloons, bags and T-shirts while stocks last – order here or go the extra mile and purchase a banner to add to your venue decorations.

Production production production

• Take a look at our new toolkit that covers the actual production of your event, from building a team to checking sound.

Rural location?

• NYMAZ are offering free support for those most rural events – find out more.

Be tech savvy

• Consider live streaming your event – it’s easier than it sounds! Use our Livestream toolkit to get set up.

Capture the day

• Ask friends and family to document the action by taking photos and videos throughout the day. This is a great way to further promote your event, venue or band on social media using #MakeMusicDayUK
• Do you have a member of staff who’s always on Instagram and loves to take photos and videos? Consider delegating the role of photographer/ videographer to one person to get the best coverage of the day.
• Send us your best photos on Make Music Day, head to makemusicday.co.uk/upload.

Experiences are best shared

• We’re looking for volunteers across the UK to attend their local event, talk to fellow audiences and complete a handful of two-minute audience surveys. If you have friends already attending your event, ask them to sign up as a Make Music Day volunteer or share our volunteer call out with your networks on social media.

There’s more!

Find helpful toolkits and resources on the website and keep up-to-date with the latest news and announcements by following us on social media @MakeMusicDayUK. If you have any questions or need any help, just drop us an email: info@makemusicday.co.uk.

And most importantly – have fun taking part in the world’s largest grassroots music festival!