Leicester, May 3 - A wave of positive energy and creative expression filled the Leicestershire Cares car park on Saturday, May 3rd, as young people and members of the local musical community came together for a vibrant open mic and networking event.
The event, a collaboration between Leicestershire Cares and YouTube media channel 05:21, offered a platform for emerging artists to showcase their talents, build confidence, and connect with new audiences both in-person and online. Designed to support youth development, the event also gave performers the chance to grow their fan bases, sharpen their live performance skills, and network with fellow creatives.
Running from 4pm to 7pm under clear skies and warm sunshine, the event drew over 50 attendees throughout the day. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as artists delivered powerful spoken word, rap, acoustic sets, and vocal performances — all captured on film to be featured on 05:21’s YouTube channel.
“This was about more than just music,” said a Leicestershire Cares representative. “It was about giving young people a safe, supportive platform to be seen and heard. You could see the confidence building as they performed — it was inspiring.”
Attendees and performers alike spoke highly of the event. “I’ve never performed in front of a crowd before, so this was a big deal for me,” said 17-year-old performer A. “I was nervous, but the crowd was so supportive. It made me want to keep going with music.”
Blade the founder of media channel 05:21, praised the local talent: “There’s so much untapped talent in Leicester. Giving these artists a chance to be seen online opens doors that wouldn’t have been there otherwise.”
The event not only highlighted the diversity and creativity of the city’s youth but also reinforced the value of community partnerships in creating meaningful opportunities.
With the success of this open mic, organisers are optimistic about future events. “This is just the beginning,” said one team member. “We want to keep building spaces where young people feel confident to express themselves and take their passions further.”
So with the success of the day we decided to pose the question to a few of the attendees "Why is community important"