Phil Castang MBE
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philcastang.bsky.social
Phil Castang MBE
@philcastang.bsky.social
1.6K followers 1.4K following 120 posts
CEO at Music for Youth. Showcasing the brilliance of young musicians. MFY Proms|National Festival
WWW.MFY.ORG.UK
Guitarist made in Camden. Former sound engineer. Cultural manager.
Live music, vinyl, art, cooking and quantum mechanics. Writing a book 📖
Posts Replies Media Videos
philcastang.bsky.social
Music for Youth Proms sound check always brilliant fun for a former sound engineer like me! Such a great sounding hall. Excitement at maximum. #MFYProms25 #music #MusicEduction #MusicforYouth
November 10, 2025 at 11:14 AM
philcastang.bsky.social
Kate Bush released 'The Red Shoes' 32 years ago on this day, November 2, 1993.
November 2, 2025 at 3:05 PM
philcastang.bsky.social
Music for Youth staged concerts with over 1100 groups in 2024.

www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/a-concert-to...
A concert took place every 137 seconds across the UK in 2024, as live music spend in the market jumped 9.5% to $7.2bn, according to new report - Music Business Worldwide
Music fans shifted some spending from festivals to one-off concerts, industry group LIVE noted.
www.musicbusinessworldwide.com
September 10, 2025 at 2:47 PM
philcastang.bsky.social
This is a must read. 👇
A powerful story reinforcing the importance of equity of opportunity in the music industry.

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
From pop producer to activist: Robin Millar on the barriers disabled people still face
He made his name with chart-topping hits – now the Scope chair wants to change how society sees disability
www.theguardian.com
September 7, 2025 at 11:12 AM
philcastang.bsky.social
www.musicradar.com/artists/the-...
“The piano just started speaking to me”: How Kate Bush stunned David Gilmour with a masterpiece of songwriting she made at just 13 years old
The early song was unmistakable evidence of Bush’s boundless talents
www.musicradar.com
August 18, 2025 at 7:40 PM
philcastang.bsky.social
The End Continues #spinaltap looks hilarious
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/ju...
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues – first trailer released
The highly anticipated sequel to 1984’s seminal comedy sees the band reunite for a farewell show with appearances from Elton John, Questlove and Paul McCartney
www.theguardian.com
July 25, 2025 at 6:46 AM
philcastang.bsky.social
Great to be at the #MUConference
Observing all the workings of the @wearethemu.bsky.social in action.
July 22, 2025 at 8:57 AM
philcastang.bsky.social
This 👇
#theartsandmindscampaign
Every child should have the right to study and enjoy the arts.

#ArtsAndMinds #TheArtsAndMindsCampaign
July 16, 2025 at 11:41 AM
philcastang.bsky.social
Protect Welsh music.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Welsh folk music could die within a generation, report warns
Dafydd Iwan, one of Wales' best known folk singers, says the situation is "very worrying".
www.bbc.com
July 2, 2025 at 6:50 PM
philcastang.bsky.social
Debbonaire: ‘UK risks losing global reputation for arts excellence’ www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/debbona...
Debbonaire: ‘UK risks losing global reputation for arts excellence’ - Arts Professional
The UK’s culture sector is under threat, and the country is at risk of losing its global reputation for excellence, former Shadow Culture Secretary Thangam Debbonaire has told parliament. Addressing t...
www.artsprofessional.co.uk
July 2, 2025 at 12:48 PM
philcastang.bsky.social
Sting at Cardiff Castle what a brilliant gig.
June 28, 2025 at 10:29 PM
philcastang.bsky.social
Amazing impact report from @ukmusicmasters.bsky.social

musicmasters.org.uk/impact_and_r...
Five Years of Musicians of Change (PGCEi) - Impact Report - Music Masters
What we've learned from working closely with music educators for the past five years and how together we might empower socially minded musicians with advanced training.
musicmasters.org.uk
June 23, 2025 at 10:57 AM
philcastang.bsky.social
Sounds familiar.
dailypost.ng/2025/06/03/n...
Nigerian Govt asked to bring music education back to schools
The Nigerian Government has been urged to bring music education back to schools to encourage the discovery of young and raw talents. The call was made by
dailypost.ng
June 20, 2025 at 7:09 AM
philcastang.bsky.social
That’s a lot of restructuring and efficiency measures.
www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/spendin...
Spending Review: Major cultural organisations told to ‘review pay and cut workforce’ - Arts Professional
Efforts to cut DCMS spending by £52m will see the government department and all the public bodies it sponsors compelled to adopt efficiency measures including reviewing pay and reducing staff numbers,...
www.artsprofessional.co.uk
June 17, 2025 at 3:05 PM
philcastang.bsky.social
This is brilliant. Talking Heads share a new video for Psycho Killer.
faroutmagazine.co.uk/talking-head...
Watch Saoirse Ronan in Talking Heads video for 'Psycho Killer
Talking Heads have unveiled a new video for their classic track 'Psycho Killer' which stars Irish actor Saoirse Ronan to celebrate their 50th anniversary.
faroutmagazine.co.uk
June 6, 2025 at 7:19 AM
philcastang.bsky.social
I just heard an American tourist say “You have to remember, their salads are not like our salads”. And there you have it. This simple sentence sums up the difference between Americans and the rest of the world. 🌎 Our salads are indeed very different.
May 30, 2025 at 2:55 PM
philcastang.bsky.social
This would be a disaster.
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/m...
Only UK degree course in stringed instrument-making to close
Campaigners say knowledge taught at Newark School of Musical Instrument Crafts vital to preserve traditional skills, especially luthiery
www.theguardian.com
May 22, 2025 at 6:41 AM
philcastang.bsky.social
From seeing the Pixies yesterday in Brixton to The Great Day (community) Choir today. It’s all good. #bathmusicfest
May 17, 2025 at 5:46 PM
philcastang.bsky.social
Pixies @o2academybrix were surf guitar amazing last night.
May 17, 2025 at 8:17 AM
philcastang.bsky.social
Absolutely correct 👇

apple.news/AV0OaiNMmQ4e...
Sir Lenny Henry calls on ‘allies’ to help tackle racial inequality as he declares diversity ‘under real threat’ — The Independent
Comedian stated that ‘woke’ is being ‘weaponised to denigrate anything hated by the right’
apple.news
May 16, 2025 at 4:19 PM
philcastang.bsky.social
This 👇
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
Arts Council England chair says sector at ‘tipping point’ amid funding fears
Sir Nicholas Serota says continued public investment is vital to draw in private funding to maintain cultural centres
www.theguardian.com
May 16, 2025 at 8:56 AM
philcastang.bsky.social
An absolutely terrible idea. Total Philistinism.
www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/goodbye...
Goodbye DCMS? Government ‘considering abolition’ of department - Arts Professional
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) could be “abolished” with its responsibilities split between three other government departments, it has been claimed. An article published by the Sun...
www.artsprofessional.co.uk
May 8, 2025 at 1:09 PM
philcastang.bsky.social
Become Music for Youth’s new chair of trustees 👇

www.mfy.org.uk/about/vacanc...
Vacancies | Music for Youth
www.mfy.org.uk
May 2, 2025 at 3:26 PM
philcastang.bsky.social
The trickle down effect of haute couture is a great example of why we need boundary stretching art. The The Devil Wears Prada. What an amazing show. Hats of the the fabulous cast. A massive shout out the the incredible house band, down in the pit but loud and proud. Vanessa Williams = legend
April 19, 2025 at 7:50 AM
philcastang.bsky.social
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
'The space is like an instrument': How Notre-Dame found its voice after fire muffled it
Performers and visitors to the famous gothic cathedral in the midst of the River Seine may find some subtle differences to the way sound bounces around its walls.
www.bbc.com
April 12, 2025 at 6:35 AM