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 musicians who sustain local scenes rarely make it into the cultural archive.
The Worcester Music Portrait Archive is a new photographic project documenting the individuals who make up Worcestershire’s music scene.
Created in association with Worcester Music Festival 2026, the archive will begin with 30 individual black-and-white portraits of Worcestershire-based musicians performing at this year’s festival.
31st August - 1st September 2026
St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Worcester
30 places available
A photographic record of the people behind the music
Local music scenes are often documented through gigs, open mics, festivals and street performances. These photographs capture the atmosphere, energy and culture surrounding live music exceptionally well.
But even when the musician is the focal point of the image, the individual can become part of the wider story they represent. The performance, venue and atmosphere take precedence, while the person behind them can remain less visible.
The Worcester Music Portrait Archive approaches the scene differently.
Each musician will be removed from the performance environment and photographed individually in a temporary studio. Every participant will receive the same considered lighting, background and black-and-white treatment, creating a consistent body of work while allowing each person’s identity and character to remain distinct.
The aim is to recognise every musician both as part of something larger and as an individual with their own history, presence and place within the scene.
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 performing at Worcester Music Festival 2026.
Each participant will attend an individual studio sitting lasting approximately 20–30 minutes. Straightforward 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 rather than a collection of unrelated promotional photographs.
The finished portraits will form part of the Worcester Music Portrait Archive and a planned exhibition connected with the festival.
Who can take part?
Applications are open to individual musicians who:
Live in Worcestershire
Are performing at Worcester Music Festival 2026
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 including VAT.
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 venue, equipment, materials and production costs. Everyone involved are giving their time voluntarily, with any surplus from the participation fee being donated to ONSIDE, the Charity chosen for this years Worcester Music Festival.
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 giving something back to that culture while creating a lasting record of the musicians contributing to it today.
Created in association with Worcester Music Festival
Worcester Music Festival is a volunteer-led, non-profit festival bringing live music to venues across the city.
The festival provides a platform for local and emerging artists, keeps performances free to attend and raises money for a chosen local charity.
The first Worcester Music Portrait Archive will document 30 Worcestershire-based musicians appearing at the 2026 festival.
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: