I always think there is a lot going on in Ipswich. To pick out one area, I’m really pleased to see the Brighten The Corners music festival go from strength to strength.

When I was in my late teens, I enjoyed the thriving music scene in Aberdeen.

There were several venues of different sizes, helped by having two universities and oil money, which created a buzz about the city.

When I first came to Ipswich, it didn’t have the same support for up and coming bands.  There were some early pioneers, like the Mulberry Tree and the Hanger at the Dove, but they seemed to fizzle out.

It is great to see that Ipswich can now organise a successful multi-venue festival, attracting thousands of people from all over the country. Even more impressive when you consider our geographic location.

The ‘Brighten The Corners (BTC) Festival’ was a multi-venue music festival that  brought the town to life with music and entertainment the weekend before last.

140 volunteers and 80 paid staff made sure the event was a successful one, with many people visiting the five different venues, St Stephen's Church, The Smokehouse, The Baths, Corn Exchange and The Cornhill.

Joe Bailey and Marcus Neal at Sounds East (a not for profit organisation) have been instrumental in making this happen.  

Starting eight years ago with The Smokehouse, a 70 person venue, they have added St Stephens Church, which takes 200 and the Baths, with up to 300 capacity.  

Add the Corn Exchange, an Ipswich Borough Council venue that can take 850 standing, there is now a route for Ipswich bands and artists to grow a home following.

 It also means there is a range of venues so that high quality bands and artists can be attracted to Ipswich.  

This will help create a vibrant nightlife in the Town Centre, which will both attract and keep people – not just young people - in the centre of town.  I am sure the pubs and restaurants will be delighted.

I think the best indication of the festival’s success is that the first wave of tickets for the festival in Ipswich next year have already sold out in under two hours.

Brighten The Corners also runs training projects for young people wishing to gain event production experience and has over 80 active volunteers.

The Tune Up project is a live music events course for 16-25 year olds, teaching skills and knowledge in production, programming, marketing and event management.  

With industry professionals offering their expertise and experience in different sectors, attendees will learn new skills in order to gain the experience and confidence to volunteer and look for employment opportunities within the industry.  

This should provide the technical expertise to ensure BTC and other music continues to grow in the town.

Last weekend there were also two Windrush Events on Saturday, plus The Saints street market on Sunday. All well attended.

I was privileged to be asked to speak at Sikh Nagar Kirtan parade, celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the first Gurdwara in Ipswich. 

The colourful parade started from the Guru Nanak Gurdwara on Bramford Road, on the edge of town, and travelled to Christchurch Park where the celebrations and speeches took place.

Next weekend there is a free Ipswich Choral Society concert at Christchurch Park war memorial to celebrate Thomas Wolsey on Saturday lunchtime and an Artisan and Producers Market on the Cornhill on Sunday. 

The biggest free one day music festival in the country – Ipswich Music Day 2024 – will be along on Sunday 7th July.

There is a lot happening in Ipswich.  Get out there and enjoy it.