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MOBO Awards will 'open doors' for area's musicians

Matt Pearson Sisi on stage for BBC Introducing. She is wearing a short white dress and has long dark hair. She has two backing singers, one on either side, wearing white halterneck crop tops and trousers with a man working music decks behind. Over their heads is an illuminated sign reading BBC Music Introducing in a variety of funky fonts.Matt Pearson
Sisi has performed for BBC Introducing, set up to support new music and artists

A young musician has said fringe events taking place ahead of the MOBO Awards, which are to be held in Newcastle for the first time, will "open doors" for the region's musicians.

The awards have been running since 1996 to celebrate black music and culture.

A five-day festival leading up to the main event has been planned to create opportunities, raise aspirations and showcase the region's talent.

Sisi, a singer-songwriter from Middlesbrough, said: "A lot of eyes will be on Newcastle that wouldn't have been."

The 20-year-old said the awards were "massive".

"It's seen the likes of Jay-Z, Stormzy, Raye - it's huge," she said.

"It's going to open a lot of doors for a lot of artists that wouldn't necessarily have the opportunity.

"It's going to open a lot of ears to the North East sound, which is extremely diverse."

Singer Sisi is wearing a navy blue jumper with pink collar and design and has long dark braided hair. She is smiling, standing front of a brick internal wall which is blurred out.
Sisi says the awards make success feel more attainable

MOBO Fringe will have workshops for aspiring creatives and young people, particularly those from the region's black communities.

Newcastle City Council's principal events and culture advisor Jim Mawdsley said it was about "showing the opportunities" to young people and having experts telling them "how to access the music industry, how to overcome barriers".

"I think it's extremely significant to show that you can have music careers without having to go to London," he said.

"Having that involvement and being connected to something as prestigious as this is significant."

Mr Mawdsley said the MOBO Awards were world-renowned.

"The record industry that focuses on music of black origin, their eyes will be on Newcastle," he said.

Jim Mawdsley, the principal advisor for events and culture for Newcastle City Council, smiling. He has short light brown hair and a bushy, lighter brown beard and moustache. He's wearing a dark blue polo shirt. The background is blurred.
Jim Mawdsley says there is a rich talent pool in the region

The programme co-ordinator at arts organisation Generator, Chyaro Hylton, said having the awards come to the city "means we're doing something right".

"It's not just a moment, it's an opportunity," he said.

"We're trying to stop artists leaving the region.

"Having the MOBO fringe events here means artists' voices are heard, they're supported and they're loved."

Sisi said they would "shine a light" on the region's music and artists.

"Newcastle does not get the same opportunities as other cities unfortunately, just because of where we are," she said.

"If it wasn't here, I'd have to still put in the work but the fact it is here does make that dream a little bit more attainable."

The awards will take place in Newcastle on 18 February at the Utilita Arena.

Newcastle City Council and MOBO, along with partners Generator, Glasshouse, Northern Roots and Nrthrn Baby, have announced the MOBO Fringe programme of events to run 13-17 February.

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