WORCESTER MUSIC PORTRAIT ARCHIVE
A new photographic archive created to recognise and record the individual musicians who contribute to Worcestershire’s local music culture.
The people who sustain local music scenes deserve to be documented as individuals, as well as in performance.
The Worcester Music Portrait Archive is a new photographic project documenting the individuals who make up Worcestershire’s music scene.
the archive will begin with 30 individual black-and-white portraits of Worcestershire-based musicians.
31st August - 1st September 2026
St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Worcester
30 places available
A photographic record of the people behind the music
Worcestershire’s music scene has been photographed extensively through gigs, festivals, open mics and performances – creating a rich visual record of the musicians, audiences, venues and moments that make up the scene.
The Worcester Music Portrait Archive adds a different perspective to that existing record.
By taking musicians away from the performance environment and photographing each person individually using the same considered studio approach, the archive concentrates on the personalities and identities that collectively form the wider scene.
Neither approach replaces the other. Together, they offer different ways of recording the same musical community.
Why the archive exists
Local musicians contribute to the identity and social life of a place whether or not they ever seek wider recognition.
The local scene is where people explore their creativity, develop their work, meet collaborators, build friendships and share their passion with others. Individually, each contribution may appear small. Collectively, these musicians create the culture from which venues, audiences and wider musical movements grow.
The archive is intended to create a historic record without becoming sterile – documenting a moment in Worcestershire’s musical life while celebrating the identities of the people within it.
Each portrait will stand alone. Together, they will tell the story of a scene.
The first archive
The opening series will feature 30 musicians from the Worcestershire area.
Each participant will attend an individual studio sitting lasting approximately 20–30 minutes. Direction will be provided throughout, and no previous experience in front of the camera is required.
The portraits will be photographed across two days using a consistent visual approach. This uniformity is deliberate, allowing the complete series to be viewed as one body of work while still giving each musician space for their own character and identity.
The finished portraits will form part of the Worcester Music Portrait Archive and a planned exhibition following the Worcester Music festival.
Who can take part?
Applications are open to all musicians who live in the worcestershire area.
The archive is made up of individual portraits. Members of the same band or act should apply separately.
Places are limited to 30, and submitting an application does not automatically guarantee a session.
What is included?
The participation fee is £35.
Each place includes:
A 20–30 minute individual portrait sitting
Professional studio lighting and direction
One professionally edited black-and-white portrait
A high-resolution digital file for promotional use
Inclusion in the Worcester Music Portrait Archive
Inclusion in the planned exhibition
Additional finished photographs from the session will be available separately.
The participation fee contributes towards the direct costs of producing and exhibiting the archive, including venue hire, photographic materials, printing and display.
The project team are contributing their professional time without charge.
Any surplus remaining after the direct production costs have been covered will be donated to ONSIDE, Worcester Music Festival’s chosen charity for 2026.
Shoot information
Dates
31st August - 1st September 2026
Location
St Andrew’s Methodist Church
Pump Street
Worcester
WR1 2QT
Participants will be allocated a specific arrival time and should arrive approximately ten minutes before their session.
Bookings are confirmed once a time has been agreed and payment has been received.
A personal connection to Worcestershire
The archive has been created by commercial and editorial photographer Drew Deas.
Drew grew up in Worcestershire, and the county’s music scene has run alongside his life and creative work for many years through friends, family, live events and the wider community surrounding it.
The project is a way of contributing something back to that culture while creating a dedicated portrait record of some of the musicians active within it today.
Apply to take part
Applications are now open.
Eligible musicians can register their interest using the form below. Places are limited, and successful applicants will be contacted separately to arrange a session time.
Apply for the Worcester Music Portrait Archive
For project and press enquiries: