Students 'Roll With It' at Rockfield

Students 'Roll With It' at Rockfield

Oasis
Profiodd Oasis y Stiwdio Rockfield ym 1995 Stefan De Batselier
Young people are about to look back – but certainly not in anger – as they embark on a new project to uncover some of Wales’s best kept musical secrets.

'Some Might Say' Oasis, Queen, Manic Street Preachers and Coldplay are among the UK’s most well-loved bands – and they’ve all recorded right here in Wales, at the legendary Rockfield Studio in Monmouth.

Now, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, internationally famous bands as well as locals will get the chance to put Rockfield in the limelight as youngsters delve into its 50 plus years of musical memories.

[quote=Joanne Davies, one of the exhibition’s co-ordinators]"We are already overwhelmed by some of the funny and intriguing titbits that we’re unearthing including local residents who remember selling shoes to big name rock stars, or playing pool with band members in the local pubs."[/quote]

Local sixth formers from nearby Monmouth Comprehensive will be volunteering at the project, which will form part of their Welsh Baccalaureate qualification. Collecting stories and memories to become part of a permanent exhibition hosted at Monmouth Museum, they’ll receive training to help undertake interviews as well as create and market the exhibition.

Even before musicians and bands have been contacted to share their stories, the Rockfield visitor book has plenty of its own tales to tell. Ian Brown, of Stone Roses fame, had this to say about the studio: “Put the heating on more often and I might one day come back.” While Liam Gallagher of Oasis was clearly taken with its charming Welsh location: “Thanks to Rockfield studios for the pleasant surroundings in this wonderful rural atmosphere.”

The From Stables to Studios: The Story of Rockfield, Monmouth and Music exhibition will launch in April. Sound like music to your ears? If you have an idea that we could help fund, please get in touch with our development team.

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