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Phil Castang MBE @philcastang.bsky.social · 28d

Music for Youth staged concerts with over 1100 groups in 2024.

www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/a-concert-to...

A concert took place every 137 seconds across the UK in 2024, as live music spend in the market jumped 9.5% to $7.2bn, according to new report - Music Business Worldwide

Music fans shifted some spending from festivals to one-off concerts, industry group LIVE noted.

www.musicbusinessworldwide.com

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Phil Castang MBE @philcastang.bsky.social · Sep 7

This is a must read. 👇
A powerful story reinforcing the importance of equity of opportunity in the music industry.

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...

From pop producer to activist: Robin Millar on the barriers disabled people still face

He made his name with chart-topping hits – now the Scope chair wants to change how society sees disability

www.theguardian.com

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Phil Castang MBE @philcastang.bsky.social · Aug 18

www.musicradar.com/artists/the-...

“The piano just started speaking to me”: How Kate Bush stunned David Gilmour with a masterpiece of songwriting she made at just 13 years old

The early song was unmistakable evidence of Bush’s boundless talents

www.musicradar.com

Phil Castang MBE @philcastang.bsky.social · Jul 25

The End Continues #spinaltap looks hilarious
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/ju...

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues – first trailer released

The highly anticipated sequel to 1984’s seminal comedy sees the band reunite for a farewell show with appearances from Elton John, Questlove and Paul McCartney

www.theguardian.com

Phil Castang MBE @philcastang.bsky.social · Jul 22

Great to be at the #MUConference
Observing all the workings of the @wearethemu.bsky.social in action.

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Phil Castang MBE @philcastang.bsky.social · Jul 16

This 👇
#theartsandmindscampaign
Every child should have the right to study and enjoy the arts.

#ArtsAndMinds #TheArtsAndMindsCampaign

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Phil Castang MBE @philcastang.bsky.social · Jul 2

Protect Welsh music.
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Welsh folk music could die within a generation, report warns

Dafydd Iwan, one of Wales' best known folk singers, says the situation is "very worrying".

www.bbc.com

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Phil Castang MBE @philcastang.bsky.social · Jul 2

Debbonaire: ‘UK risks losing global reputation for arts excellence’ www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/debbona...

Debbonaire: ‘UK risks losing global reputation for arts excellence’ - Arts Professional

The UK’s culture sector is under threat, and the country is at risk of losing its global reputation for excellence, former Shadow Culture Secretary Thangam Debbonaire has told parliament. Addressing t...

www.artsprofessional.co.uk

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Phil Castang MBE @philcastang.bsky.social · Jun 28

Sting at Cardiff Castle what a brilliant gig.

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Phil Castang MBE @philcastang.bsky.social · Jun 23

Amazing impact report from @ukmusicmasters.bsky.social

musicmasters.org.uk/impact_and_r...

Five Years of Musicians of Change (PGCEi) - Impact Report - Music Masters

What we've learned from working closely with music educators for the past five years and how together we might empower socially minded musicians with advanced training.

musicmasters.org.uk

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Phil Castang MBE @philcastang.bsky.social · Jun 20

Sounds familiar.
dailypost.ng/2025/06/03/n...

Nigerian Govt asked to bring music education back to schools

The Nigerian Government has been urged to bring music education back to schools to encourage the discovery of young and raw talents. The call was made by

dailypost.ng

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Phil Castang MBE @philcastang.bsky.social · Jun 17

That’s a lot of restructuring and efficiency measures.
www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/spendin...

Spending Review: Major cultural organisations told to ‘review pay and cut workforce’ - Arts Professional

Efforts to cut DCMS spending by £52m will see the government department and all the public bodies it sponsors compelled to adopt efficiency measures including reviewing pay and reducing staff numbers,...

www.artsprofessional.co.uk

Phil Castang MBE @philcastang.bsky.social · Jun 6

This is brilliant. Talking Heads share a new video for Psycho Killer.
faroutmagazine.co.uk/talking-head...

Watch Saoirse Ronan in Talking Heads video for 'Psycho Killer

Talking Heads have unveiled a new video for their classic track 'Psycho Killer' which stars Irish actor Saoirse Ronan to celebrate their 50th anniversary.

faroutmagazine.co.uk

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Phil Castang MBE @philcastang.bsky.social · May 30

I just heard an American tourist say “You have to remember, their salads are not like our salads”. And there you have it. This simple sentence sums up the difference between Americans and the rest of the world. 🌎 Our salads are indeed very different.

Phil Castang MBE @philcastang.bsky.social · May 22

This would be a disaster.
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/m...

Only UK degree course in stringed instrument-making to close

Campaigners say knowledge taught at Newark School of Musical Instrument Crafts vital to preserve traditional skills, especially luthiery

www.theguardian.com

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Phil Castang MBE @philcastang.bsky.social · May 17

From seeing the Pixies yesterday in Brixton to The Great Day (community) Choir today. It’s all good. #bathmusicfest

Phil Castang MBE @philcastang.bsky.social · May 17

Pixies @o2academybrix were surf guitar amazing last night.

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Phil Castang MBE @philcastang.bsky.social · May 16

Absolutely correct 👇

apple.news/AV0OaiNMmQ4e...

Sir Lenny Henry calls on ‘allies’ to help tackle racial inequality as he declares diversity ‘under real threat’ — The Independent

Comedian stated that ‘woke’ is being ‘weaponised to denigrate anything hated by the right’

apple.news

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Phil Castang MBE @philcastang.bsky.social · May 16

This 👇
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...

Arts Council England chair says sector at ‘tipping point’ amid funding fears

Sir Nicholas Serota says continued public investment is vital to draw in private funding to maintain cultural centres

www.theguardian.com

Phil Castang MBE @philcastang.bsky.social · May 8

An absolutely terrible idea. Total Philistinism.
www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/goodbye...

Goodbye DCMS? Government ‘considering abolition’ of department - Arts Professional

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) could be “abolished” with its responsibilities split between three other government departments, it has been claimed. An article published by the Sun...

www.artsprofessional.co.uk

Phil Castang MBE @philcastang.bsky.social · May 2

Become Music for Youth’s new chair of trustees 👇

www.mfy.org.uk/about/vacanc...

Vacancies | Music for Youth

www.mfy.org.uk

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Phil Castang MBE @philcastang.bsky.social · Apr 19

The trickle down effect of haute couture is a great example of why we need boundary stretching art. The The Devil Wears Prada. What an amazing show. Hats of the the fabulous cast. A massive shout out the the incredible house band, down in the pit but loud and proud. Vanessa Williams = legend

Phil Castang MBE @philcastang.bsky.social · Apr 12

www.bbc.com/future/artic...

'The space is like an instrument': How Notre-Dame found its voice after fire muffled it

Performers and visitors to the famous gothic cathedral in the midst of the River Seine may find some subtle differences to the way sound bounces around its walls.

www.bbc.com

Phil Castang MBE @philcastang.bsky.social · Apr 10

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Avinash Chandra was the pioneer and now his daughter Alita Chandra continues. A shame not to see them mentioned in the article.

‘Finally we are being seen as contenders’: delight in India as demand for south Asian art booms

As wealth in India has grown, so has the number of arts patrons championing both India’s 20th century modern masters and the next generation

www.theguardian.com

Phil Castang MBE @philcastang.bsky.social · Apr 7

RIP Clem Burke. One of the greatest.