Queue the music? – Listen Up! homelessness insights hub

Music is a uniting force, regardless of what is going on for someone, it’s a means for people to be who they really are. 

Wherever you go in life, it’s a grounding force to come back to, not just the music it’s self but the community and subcultures of different genres. It’s a way to connect with others. It’s been a daily constant, it’s relaxation through turbulent and difficult times. This report poetically explores the importance of music to well-being, individuality, self- expression, recovery and community.

Queue the music?

Hold your breath! Maestro.

One, two, three, four.

Greetings to our universe,

Especially our humble Mother Nature, The Earth and its Humanity.

For the creation of music and all its inspirations.

What does it feel like?

What does it mean to an individual to enjoy their own silence?

To absorb with our senses the multitudes

of sounds and vibrations, that travel through the air.

Listening whilst steady on our feet or whilst sitting down

Quietness or blast?

Research, Monsieur le Reporter,

Calm down?

The noise, found all around the blue planet, the four

seasons with all its denominations.

Smooth or soothing? Shout!

Let it all out! Disturbing?

The story of music, rooted, complicated.

Vocalised or written, alone or in groups.

Then celebrations! The whispers are

all there. Traditions Worldwide. In different

countries or counties?

Eastern or Western?

North or South?

Popular or subcultures?

Engraved in everybody, mind and Soul.

Emotional. Political,

Religious or spiritual.

What is to be found?

What it is all about?

Chinese whispers?

The wind of change?

My first experience with music:

Age 5, 45rpm vinyl, a recording of

Tweety and Sylvester.

An experience or a disturbance?

At 8 years old, I was introduced

to my town’s music centre,

Courtesy of my mother

Fond memories.

Love never dies.

My imagination developed,

Then music came and went,

No Discrimination, I love it all.

Teenage Years:

‘It is a long way to the top

If you want to Rock and Roll.’

I then explored different genres of music

The 1980’s was filled with Johnny Rotten, AC/DC, The Gun Club, The Cure.

The impact on my little grey cells!

The Cocteau twin’s ethereal voices, courtesy of Elizabeth Fraser.

Is anger an energy?

Metal and Gothic, my main muses.

And still today, exploring the music scene in London.

I experienced madness in November

2023, with a pal of mine, at the

Shepherds Bush Empire, a sold-out venue.

I was baptised in golden liquid! Metal heads! Caught in the crowd!

5 years of sobriety, responsibility, Ah!

Insanity! A lesson to be learned?

The fans went crazy. Respect to the

Cavalera tribe. Hey you!

Every morning I set- up my mobile phone

What music will rock my world today?

It is part of my being.

Enjoy the silence.

Queue the music?

Curiosity will not kill the cat,

on this one.

Dear readers and music enthusiasts,

enjoy the sound of your own

understanding.

Gratitude to All.

Y.C.G