MEIS Study Abroad London 2016, Part 2

Part 2: London to Liverpool
Click here for part 1

The Beatles, Liverpool

Liverpool is home of the Beatles. For "part 2" of our trip we experienced this historical place and attended our next conference/festival, "Liverpool Sound City".

Penny Lane in Liverpool, England

The "Magical Mystery Bus Tour" took our group around to see sites that appear in Beatles songs such as "Penny Lane" and "Strawberry Fields Forever", and also to the birthplaces and childhood homes of John, Paul, George, and Ringo. The story of how John Lennon's mother, Julia, was killed in a car accident was made more poignant as our bus passed through the intersection of the tragedy and the song of the same name played on the loudspeakers.

At the Beatles History museum, Beatles legal expert Professor Stan Soocher shined as he contextualized much of the exhibit for students, from the period of time during which rock and roll was being "born" to the controversy surrounding the Beatles' break up in 1969.

Professor Soocher at the Beatles Story museum

Students felt the power of the location, and during a trip to the historical Cavern Club, one student wrote, "I have had one of those 'holy s---' moments in life, after being in Liverpool for only one hour. The amount of talent that has come through this town and amount of history is entirely captivating."

Students pose with statues of the Beatles on Albert Dock

MEIS Music Business alumna Genevieve Binder met with us for a chat about the music scene in England. She answered questions about studying in England as well. Her incredible resourcefulness was a great benefit to students.

MEIS Music Business alumna Genevieve Binder (far left) joins students for a chat over dinner in Liverpool

The Liverpool Sound City Conference brought us back to current times, featuring conferences and performances. Attendees were given insight into the Liverpool scene, and Liverpool Sound City COO Rebecca Ayres took some time to talk to our students about how the festival, now in its eighth year, was coordinated and about festival promotion, including how to break in to the events scene.  Ms. Ayres expressed her enthusiasm for this incredible opportunity CU Denver and CAM gives our students to travel abroad, gain exposure, and network.

LSC COO Rebecca Ayers (far right) chats with students

Of course, the performances were plentiful with 6 stages of constant music featuring the latest in music technology, from live sound reinforcement rigs running Dante networks to and from the stage, to performance technology of all kinds: from acoustic guitars to CDJs (a kind of "digital turntable" if you will) and Ableton software. 

DJ at the Warehouse stage

Singer / Songwriter Daniel Docherty at the conference stage 

A demonstration of Abelton in live performance with electronic controllers and acoustic instruments.

During our wrap up session, I talked to the students about their takeaways from the two weeks. Here are some of their comments and observations:

• Impressed with the number of SSLs in use in England (London) compared to Denver, and with the ability to transfer knowledge of the SSL 4000 to the SSL AWS series
• Festival stages had really fast turnarounds, partly thanks to newer technology which allows A/B swapping and backlines on carts that can be rolled on and off stage - EVERYTHING was on wheels.
• Learning from classmates about guitar pedals and seeing them in use (peer learning)
• Noticing a difference between the progression of artists who adapt music technology (such as customizing or "breaking" Ableton)
• Ableton doesn't mean EDM!
• Funding for creative activities (as described in conversation with Genevieve). Maybe in the US there are just so many bands and because ours (the US) is the biggest market, so other countries want to come here.

That concluded our time in England. I heard from everyone how powerful the experience was, and I look forward to seeing how everyone puts their knowledge to use in the months and years to come.

Farewell dinner at Essenza in Notting Hill