Picking the brains of music maven slash local legend, Mark Page, our latest Q&A talks all things Dutch Dash (we know what you’re thinking, but this one’s PG-rated).
After hopping onboard with Mark for P&O’s ‘Made in Hull’ back in Feb, we dug deep to find out how the event came about, plus Mark’s highlights from the weekend.
Q. Where did the idea for Made in Hull come from?
A. The ‘Made In Hull’ Cruise was started by P&O Ferries, with the assistance of Hull based sound and light company, Africa Studios, back in 2017.
In 2018, they both approached The Sesh about the potential of us getting involved, with initially just myself hosting a programmed cruise.
In 2019, P&O Ferries’ Marketing Manager, Tim Hennah, asked if we could assist with the actual programming of the line up, due to our experience of working with regional talent and off the back of the success of Humber Street Sesh festival. We jumped at the chance and tried to programme a diverse line up, representing the very best of emerging talent from the region. The rest is history as they say, though we are very keen to expand the concept and make connections with our creative Dutch friends from across the pond.
Q. Best memory from the weekend?
A. I have many happy memories of these cruises so far, but ultimately these memories come from the atmosphere that is generated on the trip, from the real sense of community onboard. Hull is a very special city, and I believe this cruise with a good mix of artists and fans from the region encapsulates everything that is great about Hull – its people.
But to name one memory, I’d say the resilience of Milton Ashbridge from the excellent rock band, ‘The Froot’. On the return leg of the recent cruise, he unfortunately succumbed to sea sickness on a rather rough journey home. Yet he miraculously continued to play his part in the band’s live performance, albeit from behind the stage in the dressing room, sat miserable on a stool with his bass, and with a ‘sick’ bin in front of him. All said, they smashed their set and Milton is now a bonafide ‘Sesh’ legend !!!
Q. Did our 2019 film play a part in selling out in 2020?
A. It certainly helped us market the cruise online. The 2020 Mini Cruise was easily our best yet, with close to 1,000 onboard and all cabins sold out. The video from Northern Visuals was superb – it captured all the fun of the previous trip, along with the community camaraderie that was evident throughout. It undoubtedly helped boost ticket sales, allowing potential bookers the chance to see what the cruise entailed in all its glory.
Q. What can we expect to see from The Sesh in 2020?
A. If I’d answered two months ago, prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, I would have said a lot. Sesh Events was really flying – with regular live music events, such as the longstanding weekly ‘Sesh’ at The Polar Bear, the council backed ‘Trinity Live’ within the Indoor Market, and our ‘Hull City Sesh’ events at the KC Stadium, for all Hull City AFC home matches. These events, along with an annual festival, a mini cruise, and the opening of ‘Social’, a new multi faceted Arts Venue on Humber Street, meant we were beginning to lay down some foundations for a really solid cultural company- one of which Hull could be proud of.
We had built up strong partnerships within the city, including being part of the Hull City Of Music Collective, and also within industry, including a major partner who’s come onboard and shall remain nameless for now, alongside the Regional Scenes network, which is a collective of peers from within the music industry doing amazing things in their respective regions.
Truth told, we were looking forward to a really productive and exciting year. With the current climate as it is, we’re now having to think outside the box a little different as I’m sure many are right now.
All I can say at present is that Sesh Events will continue to support the creative brilliance of this region and forever strive to bring people together – whether it’ll be purely online or not, only time will tell. We’re currently developing ideas and collaboratively working with a number of people in the city, whilst adhering Govt advice and listening to our industry mentors.
Q. Finally, what are your thoughts on the video?
A. The video produced by Northern Visuals for the recent Made In Hull mini cruise was superb. As with the previous year onboard, it was a real pleasure working with the boys from Northern Visuals. Truly professional throughout, the NV team expertly captured the whole event from start to finish, perfectly editing the video to make all parties involved happy with the finished product. The branding, the live performances, and the messages we wanted to convey were all on point, and I sincerely look forward to working with Northern Visuals again.