‘Off to a great start’: Forest City London Music Week features free entertainment

The Forest City London Music Week is underway with hundreds of musicians set to perform.

Forest City London Music Week is underway.

“We’re off to a great start and let’s not forget that the most important thing is that over the course of the London Music Week, we are honoring over 200 musicians who are nominated across all the award categories,” said Mario Circelli, chair of the Forest City London Music Awards (FCLMA).

“Over 300 musicians are being paid to perform at all of the events throughout the city, and they’re all free.”

The week began with the Kickoff Party Fright night and continued into Saturday with musicians entertaining the crowds at the Gathering on the Green in Wortley Village.

While the public can enjoy these artists for free, Circelli says he’s proud all the artists are compensated.

“There’s no musician that we ever engage in for any event and ask them to perform for free,” he said.

“We’re always paying union scale at minimum, and we like to we’d like to honour the musicians by valuing their work.”

The list of parties and shows is a busy one and ramps up next weekend with massive events in the downtown core.

“Friday is the Latin Street Party downtown and we are taking over Dundas Place,” said Circelli.

The day kicks off with a showing of the World Cup game between Canada and Bosnia.

“After that the kids are alright. The high school Battle of the Bands competition is happening and there is incredible talent. Saturday night is our big show at the [Covent Garden] Market,” he added.

“Paying homage to the Indigenous community, and then London Calling Back which is the punk scene of London from the late 1970s and 80s. It all culminates on Sunday for the Music Awards Volume 2 at the London Music Hall. You are going to see some great talent on stage.”