Fairmont Hotels join forces with Abbey Road studios to launch Center Stage
Singer and rapper Rema performing at the launch party
Debbie performing at the launch party
The Beaufort Bar at The Savoy
A new and exciting programme offers an amazing opportunity for emerging musical stars of tomorrow to gain studio time at the most famous recording studio in world – while nurturing their talent in some of the world’s most luxurious hotel suites
It’s arguably the world’s most famous recording studio, where everyone from Pink Floyd to Kate Bush and Radiohead (and, oh yes, a certain Merseybeat band from Liverpool) have left their unique musical footprints. And now, Abbey Road studios is joining forces with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts for the launch of ‘Center Stage’ – a new and exciting program that provides up-and-coming artists with 1,000 hours of studio time and 1,000 hours of suite time over the next three years.
The program has been specially designed to help emerging artists take their music to the next level. It offers an amazing opportunity to those who mightn’t otherwise have a platform, giving them an important leg up the ladder, and nurturing their creative process, from writing and recording to live performances. All the while, it documents their progress, while giving them priceless opportunities to collaborate with musical mentors.
Nigerian singer and rapper Rema and 0207 Def Jam’s rising star, Debbie helped kick off the launch on February 8th at the Beaufort Bar at London’s swanky Savoy, itself a Fairmont Hotel. The former has been winning plaudits for his Afrorave style, blending African, Arabian, and Indian influences, and earning him recognition from the likes of FIFA, Selena Gomez, and Barack & Michelle Obama – who included his track “Iron Man” on their 2019 Summer Playlist 2019.
“It’s an incredible program, and I’m honoured to be included as a performing artist,” he said. “They’re not only giving [artists] a platform to access the world with their music, but helping them along the way to shape and refine their sound, their vision, and their community. It’s very inspiring, and I love being a part of it.”
As well as providing a launchpad for the creatives, Center Stage is also giving them tools and initiatives to support them over the course of their careers. Through the programme, the artists will have access to Abbey Road’s modern tracking studios, the Gatehouse and Front Room, working alongside world-class engineers to shape and refine their sound and vision. They will also have access to Abbey Road Studios’ annual Amplify festival, which offers workshops, Q&As, masterclasses, and live talks with industry leaders.
Fittingly, the Fairmont suites themselves have borne witness to countless stars of screen and music. Tony Bennett first crooned “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” at Fairmont San Francisco, while cementing the Abbey Road connecting, John & Yoko staged their Bed-In for Peace in suite 1742 at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, in Canada. Fairmount Hotels offering ‘suite time’ to participants in the programme include The Plaza, USA, the Fairmont Singapore, and Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, Switzerland.
“We look forward to tapping into many diverse genres of music that will resonate with our guests and local communities around the world,” said Mansi Vagt, Global Vice President of the Fairmont Brand. Added Ralitza Iordanova, Vice President Global Brand Partnerships, Accor, “We are confident we can make a meaningful difference to the lives and careers of many up-and-coming artists that might not have otherwise been able to share their music with the world.”