‘Counting down the days’: Local organisation bringing classical music to the masses announces summer concerts in Dalston

A summer party hosted by Through the Noise last year. Photograph: The1Harris Photography

A Hackney organisation that works to expand the reach of classical music is to host its first outdoor series of gigs this summer.

Through the Noise is putting on five festival-style events in the hidden beer garden at The Speakeasy in Dalston – all thanks to its crowdfunding efforts.

The series starts in July and will feature musicians from all over the world, including a member of the talented Kanneh-Mason family.

The idea behind the summer run is to bring classical concerts more into line with the rest of the UK music scene, which is dominated by outdoor festivals during the warmer months.

Jack Bazalgette, co-founder and artistic director at Through the Noise, said: “It’s a privilege to see artists of this calibre up close, especially when each concert is crowdfunded and hosted in a fantastic independent venue like The Speakeasy.

“We’re counting down the days ’til we can get outside and enjoy some great music in the summer sun.”

Hackney resident Bazalgette, a conductor and singer who has worked with several acclaimed orchestras, helped launch Through the Noise during the pandemic.

He had become dejected by the state of classical music, but after picking up on positive signs such as the genre’s increased popularity on streaming sites, he decided to build a project with a positive, inclusive, and outward-looking attitude.

Violinist Braimah Kanneh-Mason will perform on 6 August

Since then, the organisation has hosted more than 30 classical concerts across the UK in clubs, bars, warehouses, even car parks.

It is all made possible by the smart use of its crowdfunding platform, noisenights, which allows members of the public to become backers in return for tickets to their chosen event. Each concert is only confirmed once it is fully funded.

Violinist Braimah Kanneh-Mason, who has just finished a tour with Clean Bandit, is set to perform as part of the summer series.

He said: “Having been in the audience for many of the Through the Noise concerts in the past, I’m very excited to be performing myself with my good friend and amazing guitarist Plínio Fernandes.

“All the events are crowdfunded, the atmosphere is unique, and so I hope to see you all there!”

Shunya, a.k.a. Alan Keary, who will also feature at The Speakeasy, added: “I’m looking forward to jumping off a musical cliff and building a parachute as I fall with the help from two stellar musicians [Dudu Kouate and Seb Rochford] who I admire greatly.

“I’m also excited to be doing this experiment in a wonderful community venue.”

The five concerts take place on 13 and 23 July, 6 and 20 August, and 10 September.

For more information, or to help crowdfund, visit throughthenoise.co.uk.