Friends focused on keeping Warrington's music scene strong

Matchbox Productions is a music production studio based on Penketh Business Park which was founded by Oli Thomas, from Birchwood, and Joe Banks, from Chapelford.

The pair started their business in 2020 after graduating university in the hopes of helping up and coming artists in Warrington.

Now, the duo are expanding the studio and starting a music school, where they will offer classes for aspiring musicians.

“What’s unique about it is that while other schools are in a school environment or in an office environment, this one is going to be in a real-life studio and surrounded by a real music industry feel,” said Oli.

“We want it to be as collaborative as possible and as we grow, we’re hoping to put on performances because we have the space for it."

The lessons will take place inside Matchbox Productions' studio (Image: Matchbox Productions)

Oli, 27, and Joe, 26, hope that through opening the school, they can inspire the next generation of musicians in Warrington and help grow the town’s music scene.

“The Warrington music scene has been really strong for the past six or seven years, but the last year or two it’s sort of sloped off a little bit,” said Oli.

“People have been looking elsewhere for places to perform, so we feel like it’s really important to keep the Warrington music scene as strong as it possible can be.

“We’ve been playing all our lives, so we know how important it is to have that music outlet.

“Hopefully it can be something good for the town as well moving forward in terms of the next generation of bands and musicians which we hope to influence and create.”

But it’s not just youngsters that the duo are looking to teach, Oli and Joe are opening classes for those over the age of 18 too.

Oli and Joe will teach guitar, bass guitar and drums (Image: Matchbox Productions)

“It’s open to anyone, whether they’re learning for the very first time or wanting to continue with their skills,” said Oli.

“For adults, it’s a great outlet and it can help with so many things, it can be a great release of stress and have something to commit to.”

Matchbox Music School will offer 30-minute guitar, bass guitar and drum classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings but will expand if enough interest is shown for different instruments.

Each class will have a maximum of three students, and guitar and bass lessons will be open to anyone over the age of five, and drums for those over seven. Adults will have separate classes.

Students can enjoy a free trial lesson before having to pay. Lessons will cost £60 a month for children, and £65 for those over the age of 18.

For more information, click here.