Being a musician is not an easy career choice. It takes time, patience, skill and a bucketload of dedication to become successful. It’s why The Savoy in London has been working with Abbey Road Studios to give emerging artists a much-needed break. Luxurious Magazine’s Sabi Phagura went along to learn more.
The music industry is very competitive. We only need to tune into reality TV shows to witness just how many aspiring musicians are desperate to get a break. Recognising the need to support the next generation of creators, The Center Stage programme was launched by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts to give hopefuls a helping hand.
The music programme supports the talents of tomorrow, pairs emerging and established artists and provides studio time and suite time to foster musical collaboration and mentor the creative process.
This year’s programme offered emerging artists the opportunity to record at one of the world’s most iconic recording studios, Abbey Road Studios.
Artists were given 30 hours of recording time and the chance to perform at a private event at the Beaufort Bar in The Savoy with a three-night stay to feel like a star, just like the many legendary musicians who have stayed over the past 90 years.
Before I met this year’s winners at the event, I took a backstage tour of Abbey Road.
Stepping inside, I imagined myself tracing the footsteps of music legends like The Beatles and Pink Floyd, who made this space their musical home, spending hours belting out lyrics and fine-tuning their vocals.
The walls are lined with photos of instantly recognisable faces in the music industry dating back to 1929 when the then nine-bedroom house with a large garden in St John’s Wood, in North-West London, was purchased by the Gramophone Company. Two years later, the world’s first purpose-built recording studio had been created.
There are three main studios, along with the Gatehouse and Front Room studios, within this hallowed music landmark, each holding its own story.
Studio One is the largest by far, being the home to classical greats and the world’s most famous film scores – ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’, ‘Star Wars’, ‘The Lord of The Rings’ trilogy, ‘Harry Potter’, ‘The Shape of Water’, ‘Black Panther’, ‘Wonka’ and more.
Studio Two, perhaps the most famous of them all, is where the Beatles recorded a large percentage of their discography. More recently, Studio Two has been filled with modern artists such as Stormzy, Adele, Little Simz & The Smile, and the Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks, who was in to record his latest voiceovers for an upcoming project.
Studio Three is smaller, still, and intimate; this is a more modern space, having been refurbished a few years ago. The late Amy Winehouse was drawn to this space, as well as the legendary guitarist Nile Rodgers, Frank Ocean, Florence, Dave, Brockhampton and many more.
The Gatehouse to the side of the building is one for the newer space, created as a more accessible tracking studio, but still with access to the same award-winning engineers and legendary gear.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has a long history of supporting artists and musicians over the years, so the Centre Stage program collaboration is not out of sync. John Lennon penned Give Peace A Chance in one while Home Alone was filmed in another.
Just before leaving the majestic Abbey Road Studios, I briefly had the chance to meet this year’s winner, 23-year-old singer-songwriter Lea G.
After a successful 2022 with the release of her EP “Survival Mode’ and her sold-out Headline Show at The Courtyard Theatre in London, Lea has also racked up more than half a million plays on Spotify and seven features on BBC Introducing.
Lea’s first releases of this year include ‘Empath, Before I Fall, Walk the Line, and We’re all gonna die’, which have landed her multiple BBC Introducing Radio Plays. I let Lea get on with fine-tuning her performance for the Savoy later that evening.
Returning to The Savoy, I had the pleasure to speak with two more of this year’s artists ahead of their performance– Isaac Stewart and Davidd. Isaac, a singer-songwriter from Banbury, has been growing a dedicated fan base and millions of streams following a successful lockdown debut.
Since then, he has sold out every headline show he has performed and shared stages with artists including Tom Walker, London Grammar and David Gray.
Currently signed to Rexius Records, his music reflects his battles with mental health, characterised by a unique but immediately recognisable sound.
The pair were ecstatic to have been selected for the programme from hundreds of hopefuls. They shared their delight as they recalled the moment they were notified of their win after uploading a video performance on Instagram and commenting on why they should be chosen.
“I just couldn’t believe it,” said Isaac. “It’s like a dream come true. I’m so grateful.”
And the proof, as they say, is in the pudding. As I and other carefully chosen guests sat back and relaxed in the Beaufort Bar at The Savoy Hotel, the duo’s talents were nothing short of show-inspiring.
Walking that iconic zebra crossing outside Abbey Road Studios has no doubt been a major step in their career ladder to date. And who knows where it may lead.
Abbey Road Studios and The Savoy – Where and How?
For more information on Abbey Road Studios, visit www.abbeyroad.com. Details about The Savoy Hotel can be found at www.thesavoylondon.com.
Photography courtesy of @markhadjhamou.