Musicians around the globe have continued creating and releasing music online with a view to entertain audiences during the lockdown. The students at the East London Arts and Music School ELAM in Bromley-by-Bow are no exception.

Overcoming the physical restrictions posed by the lockdown, the students of ELAM have released their latest musical series in ‘MSG Sphere Sessions’. They had recorded part of these sessions before the lockdown at their school and continued to film and produce their music videos even during the lockdown from the premises of their respective homes.

One of the students, Kalila Noa, 18 from Walthamstow said: “My biggest driving force this lockdown is my upcoming EP ‘BURNT’ which has been in the works for about half a year. Knowing that I will have a release ready project at the end of this allows me to stay positive”.  Noa’s performance of the song ‘Shy’ which has been recorded at her home will be released on July 03.

The first of these sessions- a performance of ‘It’s always been you’, performed and composed by the students, Nia Smith, Rowan Hallett, Ethan Holt, Sam Clarke, Ezra Nathanson Parry, and Louis Andros, went online in May.

The following two sessions were a performance of ‘Heartless’ which was composed and performed by Tyrese Ryan, Soma Taylor Patel, and Lakwon Ffrench and ‘Love and Affection’ which was composed and performed by Kyra Paige West, Stephanie Kamau, Isaac Onyeka, Connor O’Sullivan, Emmanuel Silvera Mitchell, and Jeremy Koranteng.

More MSG Sphere Sessions are due on June 19, July 3 and 17. 

Eliza Mai from Liverpool studying a Music course at ELAM will be releasing her performance of the self-penned song ‘Sugar Coated’ on June 19.

Mai, 17 said: “With my music, the message I want to send out to my supporters is all about female empowerment and independence, as I feel that this is a really important issue that isn’t spoken about”.

Mik Nelson, ELAM School principal said: “The trainees have quickly and professionally adapted how they perform and produce their music during this lockdown period alongside how they adapt their branding, marketing, and their identity as an artist”.

“The MSG Sphere sessions have provided an incredible opportunity for our trainees to exercise their imagination and innovate new, exciting ways of sharing their music and expressing their artistry in a time when the world is desperately in need of creative outlets” added Nelson.

ELAM school works closely with the Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG Entertainment) which provides them with the financial support required to produce the MSG Sphere Sessions.

Jayne McGivern, executive vice president, development and construction, MSG Enterprise said: “MSG Sphere Sessions showcase the talented trainees at ELAM, and we are delighted to help them share their music.”

“MSG Entertainment has always supported emerging talent, and we are proud to be part of the future of music in East London” added McGivern.

Nelson stressed on the help provided by MSG Enterprise and said: “The support from MSG Entertainment through the MSG Sphere Sessions has really raised the professional standards of our trainees and will help to shape the future of live music in London”.