This summer the world-renowned Multi-Story Orchestra’s Young Creatives return with another series of profound performances at Bold Tendencies car park in Peckham. They are delivering three fresh performances to their community. The season will culminate in September with a stirring headline performance of the award-winning THE ENDZ at the Southbank Centre.

Renowned for their innovative and boundary-pushing approach to music-making, Multi-Story Orchestra’s Young Creatives are recognised for broadcasting the first ever BBC Proms from a car park. Recently, the Orchestra received a Royal Philharmonic Society award for their original work––THE ENDZ. Following the heartbreaking death of a fellow student in 2019, the young creatives and students came together to create rap, spoken word and other musical compositions that shed light on the impact of social inequality on young people.

INTO THE DEEP (Thursday 24th, Friday 25th August 19:00 - 20:00) 

Bold Tendencies, 95A Rye Lane, Peckham, London, SW154ST

A fresh composition from the Multi-Story Orchestra. Get swept away by Multi-Story's electrifying Into the Deep––a piece following the journey of water devised by the Multi-Story Young Creatives, with music led by singer-songwriters Fran Lobo and Abimaro Gunnell, composer Kate Whitley and percussionists Joe Richards and Elsa Bradley. Featuring a chamber choir alongside a brass and percussion ensemble, this piece explores the changing states of water - from the very first raindrop to the vast depths of the ocean. To be performed in Bold Tendencies’ phenomenal space.

THE ENDZ (Saturday 23rd September 17:00 & 20:30) 

The Southbank Centre Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX

Created by the Multi-Story Orchestra’s Young Creatives, Kate Whitley, Abimaro Gunnell, Fran Lobo, Abi Falase and Kerry Skidmore and went on to win a Royal Philharmonic Society award in 2023, THE ENDZ  is an original piece created by incredible young artists from south London who are members of The Multi-Story Orchestra. It’s an authentic story of the friendship between young people in Peckham and the realities of living in an unequal society. THE ENDZ celebrates our power to come through anything stronger and to care for each other––even when things are at their toughest. Celebrated as one of the most exciting young ensembles in the UK, they’ve made a name for themselves giving extraordinary performances, telling stories and unleashing creativity in unexpected places; including multi-storey car parks.

The Endz sat down to answer some questions with Wordplay Magazine:

1. Do you have any input on how writing the show [ The Endz ] came about?

Christina: We were all in class, I think in year 9 and we were talking about Blue Story and how we were inspired by the way it played out with the music and how strong the story was behind it. It inspired us to write something similar.

2. How would you describe the show?

Angel: I think it’s quite grim, quite sad.

Dupri: It’s a sad but very true story that happened. We challenged stereotypes in it because usually it’s boys that get into a gang but in this story a girl gets into a gang.

Angel: It’s deep and energetic at the same time.

Flame: I think the thing that I find most upsetting about it is that the moments that are most hype are also the moments that are most sad. Like the scene where the gang came, everyone was all hype and that reflects reality, you do feel energised and you do bounce off everyone’s energy and anger. But still, it’s not the way to be and the consequences of that one temporary pleasure could lead to something bad.

3. What’s your proudest moment to date as a group (The Young Creatives)?

Christina: I’d say winning the RPS awards with The Endz. It’s that moment where you spend a very long time developing something and the fact that you get to see it’s appreciated means a lot.

Nathaniel: Since the beginning, the storyline of The Endz has definitely developed with every performance and it’s certainly improved a lot. And it’s just the support that we got from the audience at every performance. It’s nice because The Endz focused on something that everyone can connect to and relate with.

4. Who are the artists that influence you and your sound and style?

Dupri: Gospel music raised me. John Legend, Jennifer Hudson…powerhouse vocalists inspired me. Belting all the riffs. With gospel you have to sing with passion to bring across the message of Christianity so just being able to connect with your music is very key.

Christina: Skepta, Stormzy…it’s kind of like that rough rap and a bit of garage. When we were writing Dirty, that’s sort of what I envisaged, especially in the car park space. Also Dave for his storytelling/storyline building style.

Flame: For me it was drill artists, when I started doing drill I was like yes I love this and it really influenced me. When I was writing for The Endz I was listening to a lot of Kwengface and OFB.

Angel: I’m often inspired by an underrated artist called Grandson, he talks about common, everyday problems. He made a whole album over lockdown. It’s very inspiring and message-sending music.

Nataniel: I guess R&B and Hip-Hop really influenced me during The Endz. I like Dave a lot.

5. Do you have any advice for other young people trying to pursue music?

Dupri: Yes, push yourself. Find a circle of friends that are all into music so you can all encourage each other and push yourselves.

Flame: I think focus on the individual, it’s all well and good to get inspiration from others but you’ve got to find self motivation and drive for yourself. I think if I was to go back I’d make sure I was putting my own materials out there. Make sure I have my own style.

Christina: Figure out what version of yourself you want to put out into the world and pursue that. So long as you have a strong foundation of that I don’t think anything can get in your way at that point.

Nathaniel: Just create a portfolio for yourself. Just compose music and don't be afraid to experiment with other styles. There’s no wrong or right way to do music!

Angel: I’d say to take your time and don’t rush yourself. If you really enjoy music you should be able to enjoy it and enjoy yourself at any time. It should be a comfort thing, you should be able to enjoy it…your style will come to you in time so long as you enjoy it.

Prince: I’d say take as many opportunities as you can. If you want to release your own music, just go for it!

6. Are there any artists from Peckham on your radar at the moment that we should check out?

Flame: I like Kwengface

Dupri: Dupri Mckoy

Flame: Flame

Christina: There’s an artist called Rugga, you should check him out. He made an album called Lovepack.

7. What do you like to do when you’re not doing music?

Nathaniel: Dancing, reading, manga and books

8. What’s next for The Endz?

YCs: Southbank Centre…we’ll see you there!