LMNS is Scotland’s leading music charity, working in schools, hospitals, care homes and hospices across the nation. The organisation celebrates its 40th Anniversary in 2024/25.
Founded in Edinburgh in August 1984, Live Music Now Scotland has grown its work over the past 40 years to reach into the heart of local communities the length and breadth of the country. We put on over 700 performances every year, delivered by some of Scotland’s most outstanding emerging artists who are specially selected and trained to engage with hard-to-reach audiences who wouldn’t otherwise have access to high-quality live music.
In marking its 40th Anniversary, Live Music Now Scotland will:
● Host several celebratory events all across Scotland, including with guest artists from Live Music Now Munich.
● Support 138 emerging artists in building their careers in Scotland.
● Share the transforming benefits of live music with over 30,000 people across each one of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas.
● Host the biennial LMN International Conference in Scotland for the first time in November 2024, bringing together colleagues from Live Music Now branches and affiliates in Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the rest of the UK, as well as Armenia, Estonia, Lithuania and Switzerland.
● Commission new music inspired by the core aims of Live Music Now.
● Release an album of commissioned music in partnership with Delphian Records.
● Work with PRISMA Mexico in bringing the music of Latin America to Scottish audiences in a joint Scotland/Mexico residency partnership in July 2024.
● Gather together the current cohort of musicians along with alumni to raise a glass in cheer to what Live Music Now Scotland means to them and their careers.
Emerging stars of Scottish music set to perform at celebratory events.
From Orkney to the Scottish Borders, Live Music Now Scotland will take the celebrations into the homes and neighbourhoods of those we impact most and offer music from folk to jazz to classical performed by fantastically talented young professional musicians. Director Carol Main MBE FRC says:
“We wanted to celebrate in areas across Scotland, in settings which mean so much to us. These places are where the impact happens. Where those who often miss out on the magic of live performance can hear early career musicians transitioning, with our support, into fully-fledged professional performers. In each location, we’ll gather our audiences and our musicians to celebrate this special moment in Live Music Now Scotland’s life.”
The first celebratory event took place on Orkney in June, following LMNS performances in care homes, schools and day centres – as well as public concerts as part of the prestigious St Magnus International Festival. Later this summer the celebrations continue in the Scottish Borders, with a visit to Music at Paxton, as well as concerts in care homes, rural schools and day centres in the area. This is the culmination of a community engagement programme featuring a range of Live Music Now Scotland artists. Further events are also planned to take place on the Isle of Skye and in Kirkcaldy later in the year.
