Past and Present: Local Music Making and the Politics of Popular Music

27 January 2017, 11:00 – 16:30, The Red House (Old Town Hall), Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8AE

Join us for a free one-day research and industry event marking the launch of a one-month exhibition celebrating the hidden history of popular music in Merthyr Tydfil, between 1955-1975. The event is organised by Centre for Media and Culture in Small Nations at the University of South Wales. The event is free and lunch is provided, but must be pre booked via Eventbrite.

11.00 – Welcome and Introduction: Paul Carr

11.15 – Panel 1: The Music Industry in Wales: Chaired by Paul Carr

• Luke Thomas (University of South Wales) – Culture Versus Economy: Popular Music Policy in Wales.
• Ewan Moor (Save Womanby Street) – From Anger to Action: Campaigning in Live Music.
• Joseph O’Connell (Cardiff University) & Sam Murray (Teesside University) – Are You With Me Now?: The Sŵn Performer’s Journey.
• Liz Hunt (Creative Republic of Cardiff) – Rebooting the Moon: Creative Republic of Cardiff.

12.20 – Q&A with the panel

12.45 – Lunch

13.30 – Panel 2: Alternative Local Musical Histories: Chaired by Luke Thomas

• Anne Cleaton (University of East Anglia) – How Musical is my Valley? an exploration into the role of place in the musical consumption and production of local popular musicians.
• Dave Allen (University of Portsmouth) – Pompey Pop: a case study of a local music archive.
• Jez Collins (Birmingham City University) – Local Popular Music Making: pump up the grime.
• Mike Brocken (Liverpool Hope University) – Phillips’ Sound Recording Services: the studio that tourism forgot.

15.30 – Short Break

16.00 – Paul Carr (University of South Wales) – Exhibition Launch: The Lost and Found Musical History of Merthyr Tydfil

16.30 – End/Visit Exhibition