WAM — Walthamstow Acoustic Massive | Shapeshifter Productions

Walthamstow Acoustic Massive

A five year project.

Founded in 2011 by Dick Smith and Alison Jones, WAM was a collaboration of acoustic instrumental and singing groups from Walthamstow.

Offering a platform for adults who wanted to pick up an instrument again or learn a new skill, WAM created a new lease of life for people to discover friendships, hobbies and skills, no matter what their age.

By 2016 WAM had almost 100 members from 18 to 80 and had evolved into a powerful and impactful musical community who met monthly. They achieved performances at festivals, special events and invited many special guest celebrities to join them. The motto was: 'It's never too late!'

Thanks to support from Arts Council England, Musical Director, Alison Jones, wrote increasingly ambitious arrangements each year for WAM to perform, offering the opportunity to work with professional musicians.

Our WAM Story

A few years of music

Take a look back through some of the highlights, year by year.

2012

WAM plays "Hotel California" at The Stow Festival and gets a great response.

2013

Supported by BBC Performing Arts Fund and Arts Council England, WAM performs a Strung Out collaboration "Express Symphony", an original composition by Alison Jones, at six East London festivals. It is well received and takes WAM to another level.

2014

WAM performs at three ambitious events: Walthamstow Assembly Hall, Beyond Barbican / Walthamstow Garden Party and The Stow Festival. At Stow we created a five-hour programme of exciting music, collaborating with several community choirs and ensembles, and were joined on stage by "Tracy Beaker" actor Clive Rowe. We're delighted that Clive has since agreed to be our Patron.

2015

We commission Jyotsna Srikanth to compose a piece that combines the worlds and musics of East and West. Entitled "Mohanna Dance", it premieres at Walthamstow Garden Party. We also premiere an original new song written by choir director Lizzy Renihan, "Don't Hold Back", at BBC Music Day. Our final summer concert is once again at The Stow Festival, where we host a three-hour event featuring local choirs and ensembles and special guest singer Johnny Amobi.

2016

WAM performs a tribute to the great David Bowie, who died at the start of the year, with special guest star singer David McAlmont. WAM also pilots a piece from Shapeshifter's WILDFIRE! show and partners with a young urban dance group and a Tai Chi group. We also perform at Leytonstone Festival, Walthamstow Garden Party and The Streets Festival, Leyton.

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