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Big Beat

The Big Beat junk percussion ensemble explosive performances are dazzling and delighting audiences worldwide.

The unique combination of energy, creativity and simplicity, which makes Big Beat so special, is now available in the form of workshops as well as cabaret!

The innovative purveyors of junk-percussion music and their energetic funk-fuelled performances make them one of the most exciting festival acts of the millennium.

Visually fascinating and energetic, the performances never cease to amaze and are suitable for street festivals and stages of most sizes.  Whether outdoor or indoor, acoustic or booming out through a PA, a set (or few!!) by Big Beat can add the WOW!! factor to your event.

The dynamic potential of percussion as a means of bringing people together, is increasingly recognised by world wide trainers and educationalists. Given the pace and complexity of modern life, percussion represents a powerful metaphor for many of the core values at the centre of a healthy organisation, whether it be a multinational company or primary school.

Everyone can gain something from a Big Beat workshop; creative development, teamwork skills, stress relief and of course fun! Our young, enthusiastic workshop team are happy to consider all your aims and requirements, and help in the design of a truly unforgettable experience!

Corporate

Big Beat - the most innovative and original purveyors of junk-percussion music - have developed an exciting new range of workshops, which can add an unforgettable new dimension to your conference or training event.

Teams of highly experienced workshoppers work with groups ranging in size from 10 to 1000 people, developing their creative skills and bringing them together in a mass celebratory finale. Spirits are lifted and barriers broken down.

They provide a range of multi-coloured, recycled instruments including gas pipes, shopping trolleys, plastic barrels, buckets, lids and even the kitchen sink. In the past they have also incorporated the client's products as instruments (obviously not a great selling point if working for glassware manufacturers!)

The whole package is flexible and easy to manage:

The experience has many obvious benefits for the client:

Formats

Big Beat offers a range of performance and workshop solutions that are suitable for a wide variety of corporate events. They are highly flexible and can adapt to all types of events and venues. What they offer is by no means standard - but in order to give you a more concrete idea of what they can provide, this section aims to give you a detailed overview of their four most popular formats.

All timings are flexible and can be modified depending on the requirements of the specific event.

1. Breakout Room Bash

Suitable for training programmes, teambuilding days, conferences, etc.

Format:
  • Participants / delegates are together in a central location.
  • Big Beat take to stage gradually building up a junk percussion tune (moving through the audience if desired). [5 minutes max]
  • The band perform 2 or 3 tracks, increasing the level of interactive participation and generally energising the audience. [10-15 minutes]
  • Participants / delegates are then put into pre-arranged groups (ideal size 15 - 25) and assigned to a designated workshop leader (member of Big Beat). Groups then move to breakout rooms containing preset workshop instruments.
  • In the workshop participants will learn various rhythms and signals. All groups will be taught at least one common percussive track to be performed in unison in the finale. There is scope for each group to compose their own short individual piece (time permitting). [30 - 50 minutes]
  • Groups move back to central performance area. [5 minutes]
  • Big Beat lead participants in a celebratory, collaborative finale. [10-15 minutes]
Set-Up and Breakdown:
  • Set-Up Time - Main Performance Area [5-10 minutes]
  • Set-Up Time - Breakout Rooms [15-20 minutes]
  • Breakdown Time [20 minutes max]

2. En-masse En-semble

Suitable for training programmes, teambuilding days, conferences, etc.

 

Format:
  • Participants / delegates are together in a central location.
  • Big Beat open the sessions by gradually building up a junk percussion tune (moving through the audience if desired). [5 minutes max]
  • Participants / delegates are run through the warm-up in one large group. [10-15 minutes]
  • Junk instruments are distributed to participants. [5 minutes]
  • Participants are taught a range of rhythms and signals and at least one percussion tune. [15 - 25 minutes]
  • Big Beat lead participants in a celebratory, collaborative finale. [10-15 minutes]
Set-Up and Breakdown:
  • Set-Up Time - Main Performance Area [5-10 minutes]
  • Breakdown Time [20 minutes max]

3. Interactive Junk-Funk Performance

Suitable for training programmes, teambuilding days, conferences, corporate events and functions, etc.
Format:
  • Participants / delegates / audience members are together in a central location.
  • Big Beat can either be preset on stage or take to the stage gradually building up a junk percussion tune (moving through the audience if desired). [5 minutes max]
  • The band perform 3 or 4 tracks, increasing the level of interactive participation and generally energising the audience. [10-15 minutes]
  • Participants / delegates / are audience members are invited to join in with the band using the junk percussion instruments provided (these can be preset and 'hidden' beneath tables / chairs / etc). They are taught a specific percussion tune and relevant signals. [10-15 minutes]
  • Big Beat lead participants in a percussion track, with different areas of the audience / different instruments given solos (even singling out any 'over keen' individuals!!) [10-15 minutes]
  • optional - The band continue to play 2 or 3 more numbers, with the audience joining in with their instruments.
Set-Up and Breakdown:
  • Set-Up Time - Main Performance Area [5-10 minutes - more for soundcheck]
  • Breakdown Time [20 minutes max]

Big Beat Performance

Suitable for corporate events and functions, conferences, awards ceremonies, product launches, wake-up calls, festivals, live performances, etc.

Format:
  • Big Beat can either be preset at the performance location or take to the stage gradually building up a junk percussion tune (moving through the audience if desired). [5 minutes max]
  • The band perform for anything between 5 - 45 minutes. Energising the audience, providing funk-fuelled entertainment and generally making a resounding percussive impact on all those watching!
  • The band can perform a number of sets in a day!
Set-Up and Breakdown:
  • Set-Up Time - Main Performance Area [5-10 minutes acoustic - more for soundcheck]
  • Breakdown Time [5 minutes]

Enquire

Testimonials:

Hi All at Classique

I just wanted to say a big 'Thank You' for all your hard work on the Vodafone Consumer Sales event last week. The client was very pleased and felt that all the elements of the event came together very well.  Please pass my thanks onto all your crew that worked on the event and hope to work with you all again in the near future. Kind regards, Senior Events Producer, Central London Events Company - Sept 08 - Big Beat performed for the client

Just a short note to say a BIG thank you to Big Beat for the part they played in the Belfast City Council Waste Fair.

Big Beat is phenomenal - there is no other word to describe them. Our client was delighted and the group was a big hit at the Urban Youth Event at Custom House Square. Thank you so much again and we look forward to working with you again in the future.

Big Beat's energy and enthusiasm added so much to the atmosphere at our events.
Peter Nicholls, Vice President (Sales)
Avon Cosmetics Ltd. UK

We all enjoyed your workshops and performances and could have gone on all afternoon. The team gave your session one of the highest marks of the whole conference. A truly memorable and motivational experience.
Lisa Bright
National Sales Director - Smith Kline Beecham

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