What is The 4014 Project?
The 4014 Project brought fantastic musical variety and talent to Treefest in 2011. They'll be returning this year to work their magic, sourcing the best local local singers and musicians. Here, Jon Ponting from 4014 explains what this project is all about.
The 4014 Project is working with Westonbirt Arboretum to provide local music for Treefest, but you may be wondering who or what this mystically named Project actually is.
It was established in 2005 by husband and wife duo, Jon and Ellie Ponting following a very successful experiment at the Rose & Crown in Malmesbury – an open mic night had been organised as part of the town’s carnival schedule. It was the first time a night like this had been held in the town; both musicians and appreciative crowds alike had a fantastic evening.
From that one event, The 4014 Project grew momentum with equally popular music nights held in other nearby towns such as Tetbury, Cricklade and Royal Wootton Bassett.
It then branched out into other areas... a website containing contact details for performers, venues and music businesses... a regular radio show produced for community stations and playing nothing but local music... a place where singers and guitarists could try out new material, keep in touch and try out collaborations.
The 4014 Project isn’t a well-known name publicly, but if you speak to musicians – especially around the Cirencester, Malmesbury, Swindon region, you’ll soon find fans who will be willing to sing its praises. There are several unique elements to The 4014 Project:
- It’s not a business, and certainly not there to make a profit
- the main focus is keeping music local, regardless of style
- The main focus is on more rural areas, where musicians find it harder to get gigs
These objectives seem to fit in very nicely with the ideals of Treefest, which must explain why we’ve been invited back for a second year.
The strange, numerical name signifies how Wiltshire and Gloucestershire musicians have been linked together – the clues are there if you look hard enough!
Useful links
Find out how to become a member…
The 4014 Project:
