Exclusive: Mastermind behind Derby Summer Sessions has big plans for city's music scene

Derby’s flourishing music scene means there are more gigs and concerts than ever before.

One of 2024’s biggest events on the music calendar is Derby Summer Sessions.

Over one exciting weekend in July, the city will welcome music superstars such as Tom Jones, Becky Hill, The Lightning Seeds, Gabrielle, Madness and more.

DerbyWorld caught up with Peter Taylor, co-founder of Cuffe & Taylor, a music promoter responsible for bringing Summer Sessions to Derby.

Born in Lytham St Anne’s, Peter has worked in the industry for over 25 years.

We get to know more about this music fan, what he thinks about Derby and why he is excited about Derby’s first Summer Sessions music concert.

An award winning outfit - Cuffe & Taylor were recipients of an Olivier Award for Best Family Show, for their original production of ‘Hey Duggee’ - means a very special brand of music event is coming to Derby.

Peter is humble when acknowledging the win. He said: “Winning the Olivier Award was a very big moment for us, it’s a celebration of all those years of hard work and risk.

“When you do outdoor events, you never really know if it’s going to work.

“To win the Olivier was absolutely fantastic.”

There are a number of Summer Sessions across the country. Peter shared why Derby was on the list which includes cities including Glasgow and Edinburgh.

He said: “We have two colleagues who live in Derby, they did music promotion for Y Not Festival, Victorious Festival, Truck Festival, Tramlines and more.

“They often said to me ‘Why don’t we do a show in Derby?’

“There was no real big outdoor event in Derby that happens annually.

“We all thought there was an opportunity for Derby and that’s why we’re there this year and hopefully it’s the start of [a series that will run] many years to come.”

Location, Location, Location

The Summer Sessions concert reads like a who’s who of world-class talent including Tom Jones and Becky Hill.

Top music artists aside, the location is a key part of making a concert work.

Peter is a big fan of the ‘beautiful’ Markeaton Park which he says provides a ‘great backdrop.’

He said: “The park is a really nice location, aesthetically it’s a really pretty park.

“Accessibility wise, it’s in the centre of Derby.

“Out of town locations can sometimes be complicated, where people have to drive in, but with Markeaton Park, there’s great public transport, people can walk there.

“It’s a beautiful park and it has a great backdrop.

“For some venues we have to do a lot to make it look pretty.

“But when you’re at Markeaton Park it’s a lot easier, there’s lots of big trees, in fact you want to put less in there and try to use the natural surroundings rather than lots of fencing and bollards.”

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The Summer Sessions concert features a wide variety of music talent, from pop and rock, to 80s synth and ska.

This means there is something for everyone to enjoy, making it a great day out for the full family.

Peter is looking forward to the concert and in particular, two acts that he enthuses are ‘future headliners’ so confident is he of their artistic prowess.

He said: “Obviously the headliners are all wonderful.

“Two acts I am excited to see are Caity Baser (who is opening for Becky Hill).

“She is a really up-and-coming pop solo artist.

“I went to see a show in London and I couldn’t believe over 2,000 people knew every single song she sang.

“It was all her original music too, she is definitely one to watch and is a definite headliner for the future.

“Then there’s a great band called Deco (who are opening on the Madness night).

“They take really well known songs and create 80s pop synth style tracks.

“It is really, really clever what they do.

“I would definitely urge people to see them, because they’re just a great festival act, and also somebody I can see in the future becoming a headliner in their own right.”

The Summer Sessions concert rolls into town in July and will delight Derby crowds for one weekend over the summer.

Reflecting on the future of live music in the city, and Derby’s music venues, Peter said: “I really like Derby, I used to go on holiday to Belper.

“I think the people of Derby have a real love for live music, I think sometimes they feel a bit hard done by, some think ‘Why is live music not coming here?’

“All grassroots music venues, as is widely documented, need support, that is something we are fully behind.

“Having a vibrant festival in the city that comes every year, helps the live music ecosystem.

“The fact that Becky Hill is performing in Derby is big.

Read more: What's On in Derby?

“The city is mentioned on her artwork and posters across the country, so people, including other artists are looking at this and wondering ‘Oh Derby, that’s interesting.’

“I believe big events like Summer Sessions can certainly help Derby and encourage its vibrancy, to get acts of all sizes performing live music.

“I’m really excited for Derby, it has a good music scene. It could be bigger, hopefully Summer Sessions will help with that.”

Derby Summer Sessions is a three-day event running from Friday 12 - Sunday 14 July, 2024.

The location is Markeaton Park, Derby DE22 4AA.

For more information and to buy tickets visit their website by clicking here.