Sophie Kenyon: Early Career Promoter Fund
Concise Description: A series of grassroots live music events at Gisburn Forest Hub, Forest of Bowland, supporting independent artists and building sustainable local audiences.
Bio: Sophie is co-promoter with So It Goes which is an independent grassroots music promoter collective working across the Ribble Valley, focused on creating thoughtful, high-quality live music experiences in non-traditional spaces. Their work centres on supporting emerging and mid-level independent artists while building engaged, local audiences. Their programming spans alternative indie, folk and jazz, with a growing interest in more experimental work, creating space for new sounds and artists.
Through the PRS Early Career Promoter Fund, So It Goes will deliver a series of three live music events at Gisburn Forest Hub in the Forest of Bowland. Set in a distinctive rural location, this series will create opportunities for rural audiences to experience live music in a local, non-traditional music venue whilst also creating opportunities for under-served local artists to perform away from the usual town-and-city touring circuits.
The project will focus on professionally delivered, intimate gigs that prioritise strong live performance and meaningful audience connection. Alongside supporting artists with fair pay, the series aims to build a sustainable partnership with the venue and contribute to a more resilient grassroots music ecology in the region. By combining consistent programming with strategic audience development, this work represents an important next step in establishing a long-term, sustainable live music offer in the Ribble Valley.