Free light festival will show that Rotherham Loves Music

Soundtracks created in collaboration with local Rotherham musicians will be in the limelight at a winter light festival in the town centre this Valentine's Day.

Rotherham Loves Music is a free, family-friendly light and sound festival and will feature brand new light projections across the town, accompanied by new musical compositions.

Rotherham Loves Music is a Flux Rotherham festival funded by Arts Council England, with projections by Illuminos, as part of Children’s Capital of Culture. It is taking place on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 February, 6pm–9pm, with projections starting at 6:30pm and running continuously throughout the evening.

The magnificent Rotherham Minster will be transformed into a musical instrument. Projection artists Illuminos have designed a rolling projection that flows across the Minster’s façade and fills the interior with shifting light.

Minster Gardens is set to provide a great spot for the festival whilst Minster Yard is set to host a silent disco and the RSPB lantern display.

The soundtrack reflects the breadth of local talent, from teenage harpist Alejandro Barnett and musicians from the borough’s youth music service to Thorpe Hesley Brass Band, alongside many more performers.

At the centre of the programme is a striking illuminated installation at Rotherham Minster, where projections both inside and outside the building will reimagine the historic church as a musical instrument. A place that has echoed with music for centuries, the Minster will become a glowing canvas, resonating with colour, rhythm and sound throughout the evening.

Beyond the Minster, visitors can enjoy a range of activity across the town centre. Walkabout performances will animate the streets, including the electric DJ Bike, bringing mobile music to passers-by, pop-icons Team BGee parading funky love classics, and the Disco Divas getting everyone dancing.

The beautiful Imperial Buildings nearby will host free craft creative workshops, as well as the magical Grimm and Co on Ship Hill, where visitors can create their own light and music-inspired artworks to take home.

Meanwhile, Minster Yard will become a lively silent disco, visitors can enjoy a boogie and sing-along to three channels of upbeat tunes.

At Forge Island Rotherham Music invite crowds to visit Microtonal, an installation created by Invisible Flock which features 200 clay borindos — traditional wind instruments originating from the deserts of Pakistan — forming a responsive sound and sculptural experience.

Local shops, cafés and restaurants will also remain open throughout the evening events, encouraging people to spend time in the town centre during the winter months.

Rotherham Loves Music is designed to attract residents and visitors alike, building on the success of last year’s Otherham event, which welcomed more than 7,000 visitors into the town centre over three days.

“This festival is about celebrating the incredible talent we have here and giving people a reason to come together in the heart of the town,” said Helen Jones, Director of Flux Rotherham. “Rotherham loves music, and this Valentine’s weekend we’re celebrating community, creativity and the sounds that shape our town.”

Those keen to get involved can also become part of the festival’s soundtrack by taking part in two open, participatory music sessions. A Scratch Choir Day will take place on Saturday 17 January, 12pm–4pm at Rotherham Minster, offering a friendly and relaxed opportunity to learn a new piece together — open to all, from regular choir singers to those completely new and curious to give it a try. Later that day, a Folk Jam Session will be held at Wath Tap from 7pm–9pm, inviting musicians of all abilities to join an informal group, guided by an experienced folk musician, with all acoustic instruments welcome.

Flux Rotherham website
Children’s Capital of Culture website

Images: James Mulkeen / Flux Rotherham