About this Event
🎵 BUILD A BAND - 5 DAY WORKSHOP 🎵 10 - 14 AUGUST 2026
From Bedroom Musician to Band Member in Just 5 Days
Ages 11-18 | 5-Day Workshop | Choose either Morning or Afternoon courses
Play on Your Own? Meet Your Future Bandmates.
Join our August program to meet other young musicians, form a band, learn a song, and perform it live at Busk It!—all in just five days!
Already in a band? Even better—sign up together and polish your performance before hitting the stage.
What Happens Over the 5 Days?
🤝 DAY 1: Meet Your Band (Monday)
FIRST: Get to know everyone through icebreakers and a casual jam session and then learn a song as a whole collective (Electric Orcestra)
We'll figure out who plays what and at what level, then split into bands, duos, or trios based on your skills and musical tastes.
THEN: Your band chooses a song YOU want to learn (within your genre—rock, pop, indie, whatever your groove is). Start working on it together and getting the basics down.
This is where the magic starts—strangers become bandmates.
🎸 DAY 2 & 3: Make It Sound Good (Tuesday & Wednesday)
PRACTICE, practice, practice. Get your song tight and performance-ready with guidance and support throughout the day.
Work on:
- Playing together as a unit
- Timing and dynamics
- Band communication
- Making it sound polished
If your band nails the song early? Great—choose another one and keep the momentum going!
🌟 DAY 4: The Final Push (Thursday)
FIRST: Final rehearsal to polish your performance.
THEN: Sound check, stage setup, and decide a running order, then it's time to perform to your peers!
🌟 DAY 5: Show Time (Friday)
FIRST: Final rehearsal of the Electric Orchestra Song.
THEN: Sound check, stage setup, then it's time to perform your song(s) to parents, friends, and family. Show them what you've accomplished in just three days.
From "nice to meet you" to "playing live together" in five fun sessions.
🌟 DAY 6: Busk It!
The grand finale? A live performance at Busk It! on August 16th at Coronation Park, Helston.
Is This For Me?
✓ Perfect If You:
- Can already play your instrument at a basic level
- Have your own instrument (and amp if needed) Talk to use if you need an instrument to take part, we will see if we can help.
- Practice at home but have never been in a band
- Want to meet other young musicians your age
- Are aged 11-18
- Are ready to commit to all 5 half days
✓ What Parents Should Know:
- Structured, supervised workshop with experienced guidance
- Teaches collaboration, commitment, and confidence
- Safe environment for teens to develop social and musical skills
- Affordable at just £50 ( Support from the South Kerrier Alliance CIC allows us to keep the workshop cost as low as possible - normal cost for the 5-day workshop is £150)
- Culminates in a real performance opportunity
- Short break factored in midway through the session, bring a snack and water bottle.
What You'll Need to Bring
🎸 Your own instrument
🔌 Your amp (if you play electric guitar/bass)
🎒 A snack and drinks bottle, we have a top-up station
💪 Enthusiasm and commitment for all 5 sessions
It’s best if you bring your own gear, which you will use at your own risk. For drummers we have one drum kit available per session!
The Details
When: Monday 10th - Friday 14th August PLUS the opportunity to perform at Busk It! in Coronation Park on Sunday August 16th.
Time: Either: 10am - 1pm or 1.30pm - 4.30pm daily (Please note, you cannot mix morning and afternoon sessions!)
Who: Ages 11-18 who can already play their instrument, or would like to sing
Cost: £50 for the course
Where: The Basement
FREE SPACES AVAILABLE we reserve 20% of our spaces for FSM (Free school meal) Basement Members, please book early to avoid disappointment (Register as a FSM member on our website: www.lovehelston.co.uk/the-basement )
Once You've Signed Up
We'll send you a quick Google Form to help us put the right musicians together:
- What instrument do you play?
- Can you bring your own instrument and amp?
- What genre of music is your groove?
- How old are you?
- Would you prefer morning or afternoon sessions, or are you happy to attend either
This helps us create balanced bands with compatible musical tastes.
Ready to Build Your Band?
Stop playing solo. Meet your people. Make some noise.
Limited spaces available—you must commit to all 5 days to secure your spot.
Questions? Want to know if you're ready? Get in touch!
FAQs:
Who is The Basement for?
The Basement isn't just another youth centre – it's the space you asked for, designed by you, built for you. The space is primarily for 11-18 year olds. Your basement. Your rules. Your future starts here.
I need dropping off in a car. Where?
The Basement is in Trengrouse Way pay and display car park.
Do I have to book?
We have a limited capacity and booking is essential for this event.
What is access like?
We have level, step-free access from the car park into the building as well as accessible toilets. If you have additional access needs please contact us on [email protected] or drop in.
Where is The Basement?
We are in the basement of Helston Gateway (the former Budgens supermarket building) next to The Parade and in Trengrouse Way car park.
Where can I find out more about The Basement?
On our website at www.lovehelston.co.uk or by contacting Jonathan at [email protected]
Will you be taking photos and video?
We often take photos so let everyone you're booking tickets for know this. These photos, films and recordings may be used at any time in print and online for evaluation, promotion or in connection with other projects. If you would prefer to not be in photos please let staff at The Basement know.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Basement, Helston Gateway, Helston, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00 to GBP 50.00
