Our History
Making Tracks was founded in 2010 by Katerina Pavlakis, and relaunched in its current form by Merlyn Driver in 2019. The project was initially born out of the need to focus energy and resources into making an effective UK touring model for world-class, diverse music from around the globe. Between 2010 and 2018, Making Tracks consisted of an annual season of four tours, delivered to venue partners committing to the whole season, creating a coherent programme with national reach and local profile. In 2019, Making Tracks was relaunched as an international music exchange programme with an environmental focus, based around an annual UK residency and tour.
To date, we’ve organised 32 tours and 337 concerts, featuring 155 musicians from 44 countries. Our events awaken curiosity and deepen understanding of the world through music.
Artist we've previously worked with (2010 - 2018):
Saz'iso (Albania), Chouk Bwa (Haiti), Toko Telo (Madagascar), Chango Spasiuk (Argentina), Sklamberg & The Shepherds (USA/UK), Paolo Angeli (Italy), Derek Gripper (South Africa), Namvula (UK/Zambia), Otava Yo (Russia), Night (Nepal), Söndörgő (Hungary), Cigdem Aslan (UK/Turkey), Pascuala Ilabaca & Fauna (Argentina), Trio Da Kali (Mali), Mariana Sadovska (Ukraine), Adewale Taubkin Duo (Brazil/UK), Ballake Sissoko Quartet (France/Mali), Mokoomba (Zimbabwe), Debashish Bhattacharya (India), Yiddish Twist Orchestra (UK), Melingo (Argentina), Krar Collective (UK/Ethiopia), Johanna Juhola Reaktori (Finland), Sambasunda Quintet (Indonesia), Aurelio Martinez (Honduras), DoubleDuo (UK/Palestine), Grupo Lokito (UK/Congo), Le Trio Joubran (Palestine), Ahmed Dickinson (Cuba), Lo Còr de la Plana (France)
Making Tracks Alumni (2019 - present):
Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno (Kenya), Katariin Raska (Estonia), Barbora Silhanova (Czech Republic/Finland), Arsen Petrosyan (Armenia), Luna Silva (France/UK), Kaviraj Singh (UK), Louise Bichan (UK), Melisa Yildirim (Turkey), Kate Griffin (UK), Matchume Zango (Mozambique), Aida Zhakhanbek (Kazakhstan), Lemon Guo (China), Gurdain Rayatt (UK), Tendai Mavengeni (Zimbabwe), Laonikos Chalkokondylis (Greece), Daniel Gouly (UK), Iona Fyfe (UK), Robert Bisha (Albania/Italy), Simon Leleux (Belgium), Ahmet Ozan Baysal (Turkey), Thamires Tannous (Brazil/Austria), Azin Zahedi (Germany/Iran), Liz Hanks (UK), Pheobe riley Law (UK).