BUDDING musicians from across the borough celebrated Union Chapel’s history of protest at a packed-out performance.

More than 400 people took their seats last week to watch the talented teenagers play music which they had written themselves.

Bass player Maryam, 16, said the concert was filled with “great fun, energy, joy and happiness”.

She added: “I like playing music because it’s fun for me, a respite from the rest of my life, and the stress of school. Being able to play with other people who are so incredibly dedicated, hardworking, and have a passion for music makes it so much better”.

The hour-long concert was the culmination of workshops produced as part of Union Chapel’s Sunday School Stories Project, with Highbury Opera Theatre, Music Education Islington, and Guildhall.

The young musicians were encouraged to come together and – through jam sessions – workshop music that built on the stories of artists like Amy Winehouse and Patti Smith, all former performers on the Union Chapel stage.

Inspiration for the “Making Trouble” theme was equally drawn from archival material, including the stories of female pioneers visiting Union Chapel.

Maryam said: “ ‘Making trouble’ looks different for different people. For some, it’s about acknowledging people who were deemed troublemakers at their time, like the suffragettes. For others, it’s to get a sense of hope around it.”