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Tuesday 18 December 2012

Highlights from this year’s Mencap Little Noise Sessions shown on Channel 4

This November, Mencap’s Little Noise Sessions took place at the St-John-at-Hackney Church in London. The annual series of gigs brought together established an emerging artists to play stripped-down sets in intimate surroundings.

Now in their seventh year, the 2012 Little Noise Sessions featured an eclectic line-up. Pop favourites Gary Barlow and Olly Murs shared the billing with indie stalwarts The Maccabees, Richard Hawley (pictured), Noah and the Whale and Amy Macdonald.

Selected performances from this year’s events were shown on Thursday 20 December on Channel 4.

The programme is hosted by Mencap ambassador and BBC Radio 2 DJ Jo Whiley, who curates the Little Noise Sessions. She takes viewers on a journey through the key performances and gives an insight in to what makes St John-at-Hackney Church such a magical venue.

“Little Noise combines my love of music with making a difference for a cause that’s very close to my heart,” explained Whiley.

“All the money raised from Little Noise goes towards supporting Mencap to help people with a learning disability to live the life they choose. I can’t thank the bands and fans enough for making Little Noise the success it is today – by supporting Little Noise, you really are change lives.”

The programme opens with energetic performances from Olly Murs before showcasing the unique talents of newcomers with big reputations, including Jessie Ware, Jamie N Commons and Karin Park.

The programme culminates with a performances from singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald and Jo Whiley favourites The Maccabees, who perform a single from their latest album 'Given to the Wild', which they performed in full for the first time at this year’s Mencap Little Noise Sessions.

Watch Mencap’s 2012 Little Noise Sessions – in association with Toshiba – on 4OD

Listen to all of the artists who performed at this year’s Mencap Little Noise Sessions on Spotify – Little Noise Sessions’ digital music partner

Photo: James Loveday