A documentary about the return to popularity of the ukulele is coming to Picturehouse cinemas this month with a unique live performance.Mighty Uke: The Amazing Comeback of a Musical Underdog, by director Tony Coleman, will tour screens from tomorrow (November 25th) until December 10th and uke ace James Hill will give audiences a rendition of what the four-stringed instrument can really do. Audiences are also invited to bring along their own uke for a group jamming session.
It is only in recent years that the ukulele has found favour again with the music world and the documentary examines the reason for this (and celebrates it of course). It follows a new generation of uke fans who are dusting off their grandparents’ ukes and trying them out for themselves.
While for some people the ukulele might bring back memories of George Formby, others might remember that Paul McCartney was a fan of the ‘people’s instrument’. But the film focuses on the people who are bringing the uke to everyday amateurs with open-mic sessions or successful bands that have popped up on the scene.
Mighty Uke travels the world in search of these groups of people who are bringing the uke to new audiences and even topping the music charts, like in Japan.
Whether people are playing the ukulele to express themselves or connect with a bygone era, the film aims to get to the bottom of why festivals have been set up from New York to London and Tokyo to celebrate everything there is about the instrument.
And to mark the Mighty Uke tour, there will be three performances held at Musicroom across the country featuring Might Uke star James Hill.
He will play a variety of uke tunes in his set for free Live at Five events in Musicroom’s Denmark Street, London store, as well as in Brighton and York. To find your nearest store visit our store locator page or check our Facebook Events tab.