UK Musician & Microsoft To Host Free Live Workshop Tomorrow Evening for UK Performers

29 June 2020 - Press release

Following the successful launch of the Microsoft Re:Surface Project, which saw UK singer/songwriter, Jade Bird and her band put on a live, interactive gig for thousands of fans worldwide, Microsoft Surface is now launching the Re:Surface Blueprint, a set of free workshops and how-to guides giving UK artists and musicians the tools and knowledge to bring back their cancelled performances online.  

 

The Re:Surface Blueprint is now live on www.youtube.com/MicrosoftUK in the form of a series of how-to videos and written guides. Each guide breaks down a separate element of the production process covering everything from, how to manage multiple audio and video sources simultaneously through to generating social media and press awareness ahead of an online show.   

 

The Blueprint guides and videos will be available to anyone for free and should be an invaluable source of inspiration and knowledge for performers and artists looking to bring a show back online – right from established acts through to emerging talent and bedroom DJs. 

 

The Blueprint launch will also be supported with a live workshop with Jade Bird, taking place on Tuesday 30^th June at 7.30pm BST via www.youtube.com/MicrosoftUK. During the workshop Jade and her band, along with members of the production team that helped ‘uncancel’ her show, will provide a behind-the-scenes look into the gig and take part in a live Q&A session.  

 

On her first Re:Surface gig and the upcoming Blueprint workshop, Jade Bird commented:   

 

“Never in a million years would I have thought that this summer I would be ‘touring’ with my band from my living room and yet, here we are. It was amazing to play with my band again, all be it virtually, and also the fact that we got to connect with fans from over 12 different countries in one night!  

 

As a songwriter and performing artist I think that for many of us our key skills are often in our creative trade and you slightly take for granted all the things you need to make a full live gig happen. So, when you find yourself at home and it’s virtually impossible to recreate a live gig it’s very tough. That’s why I’m so excited about the Re:Surface Blueprint.  

 

We’re doing a workshop later this month which will basically let us take people behind the scenes of the gig and will show how anyone can recreate what we did and hopefully offer the same experience for fans.” 

 

Microsoft Surface Director UK & Ireland, Kate Wright said:  

 

“The response to the Re:Surface Project has been fantastic and we are humbled by the fact that this project has already helped to connect thousands of people globally to the music and entertainment that they love at this unusual time.   

 

Our ambition for the Re:Surface Project is to inspire all artists and performers, giving them the knowledge and confidence to connect and interact with their fans and host their own gigs online. The Re:Surface Blueprint is crucial to this ambition which is why we’re making it freely accessible to anyone. We cannot wait to see what the Re:Surface project unearths this Summer.”  

 

Following the fundamental shift in the way that the world is consuming entertainment right now and in light of its crucial role in people’s lives, Microsoft Surface created the Re:Surface Project, a concept designed to help artists and musicians gain the knowledge and tools to bring back their cancelled performances and continue to connect with their fans.  

 

The Re:Surface Project has been inspired and developed by Microsoft Surface - a family  of devices built to suit and power the individual needs and style of everyone, including the creative community. With Surface, creatives can do their best work, wherever they are: streaming live gigs from their bedroom, interacting with fans on the sofa or collaborating with teams on their album artwork, from the kitchen table.   

 

Go to www.youtube.com/microsoftuk on Tuesday 30th June at 7.30pm BST to engage with the live Re:Surface Blueprint workshop.