Bassline Symphony: A World-First Orchestral Bassline Experience

Uniting Bradford’s legendary underground scene with the power of classical music for UK City of Culture 2025.

The Vision

Bassline Symphony was born to bridge Bradford’s underground bassline heritage with classical tradition—creating a world-first fusion that celebrates the city’s cultural heartbeat. By uniting generations, genres, and communities in one shared space, the event redefined what accessible, large-scale cultural celebration can look like in modern Britain.

Key Details

• Date: 9 May 2025

• Location: St George’s Hall, Bradford

• Audience: 1,500+ (Sold Out)

• Produced by: Vital Culture UK Founder Tanya Vital x Bradford 2025

• In collaboration with: Opera North, Foyle Foundation, Signatur

• Media Coverage: The Guardian, Telegraph, NME, Skiddle, Yorkshire Post, T&A (final metrics pending)

The Impact

Key Metrics

• Sold-Out Attendance: 1,500+ attendees ranging from ages 1 to 80+

• Social Media Reach: Significant engagement across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn, with multiple viral posts

• Described by Bradford 2025 as “a defining cultural moment”

Artistic Highlights

• DJs: Jamie Duggan, TS7, DJ Q

• Vocalists/MC’s: Lauren Mason, K. Dot, Trilla Jermaine Trillowski, and 8 others

• 40-piece Opera North Orchestra, conducted by Gary Walker

• Arranged by Katie Chatburn

• Vocal direction by Christella Litras

Why It Worked

Bold Artistic Innovation
This was the first time UK bassline music had been orchestrally adapted—an ambitious challenge made possible by cross-genre collaboration.

Community-Centric Design
Outreach to schools, families, elders, and bassline fans ensured this wasn’t just a concert—it was a celebration of Bradford’s cultural roots and future.

Strategic Partnerships
Supported by cultural institutions and funders committed to inclusion, quality, and innovation.

Legacy & Next Steps

Future Interest

Following the success of Bassline Symphony, there has been unofficial interest and early enthusiasm for potential future iterations, including:

• Exploring touring options in other Northern cities and international venues

• Developing festival formats and collaborations

• Scoping funding and production models for potential tours or recorded editions

While discussions remain informal, the project’s reception suggests strong potential for future development

What’s Next?

• Awaiting final evaluation and audience data from Bradford 2025

• Developing a Bassline Symphony Legacy Deck to explore future partnerships

• Scoping funding and production models for possible tour or filmed edition

In the Press

The Guardian
"Bassline Symphony, in which pioneers of the genre Jamie Duggan, DJ Q and TS7 are collaborating with Katie Chatburn and the Orchestra of Opera North, held in one of the UK’s oldest concert halls."
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Skiddle
"Bassline Symphony, an event which celebrates the relationship between the city and the genre, with classical versions of its greatest tracks."
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Telegraph and Argus

“The worlds of bassline and classical music will collide at a one-night-only spectacular for Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture.”
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Record Weekly
"Bassline Symphony (AKA a very cool setup of the bassline DJs and the Orchestra of Opera North), St. George’s Hall"
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NME

“Being a passionate music fan living smack dab in the heart of the northern powerhouses of Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield et al, Tanya noticed that the mainstream media was missing out on a wealth of black and brown talent from the land of dales, gravy and refusing to wear a winter jacket no matter what the weather. And most of all, she felt like Bradford’s own contribution to the music world – her beloved baseline house scene – is overlooked entirely. So she decided to do something about it.”
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