Parents and carers can beat the seasonal blues by bringing their babies and children along to a new series of daytime gigs in Exeter. 

While many events aimed at new parents seek to occupy the babies, the new Daylight Sessions series is strictly geared to entertain and engage adults – with babies and children welcome to join in the fun. 

The series includes top circuit comedian Jo Enright and music gigs by indie alt-rock band Witching Waves and local duo Sound of the Sirens. The events are part of an Arts Council England funded programme to help bring parents and carers back into creative and cultural spaces in the South West. 

Grown up gigs which welcome kids

Daylight Sessions are the brainchild of Exeter Creative Producer Lizzy Humber. The series of daytime events, born from Lizzy’s experience as a parent, include comedy, music, poetry and author talks aimed at adults but welcoming to children. Funding means that tickets are subsidised, helping to keep the events accessible. 

Lizzy said, “As a parent of young children I missed going to gigs and having conversations with adults that weren’t about whether our babies had slept. I started creating spaces for parents to be entertained and meet new friends, somewhere to go with a partner without having to arrange childcare. I incorporated simple things like having baby changing mats and toys and helped people to feel welcome and supported. It doesn’t matter if you arrive late or have to leave halfway through at a Daylight Session, and you don’t have to worry about your child moving around or making noise. It can feel incredibly empowering – I want my spaces to be celebratory and uplifting. Parents are people too!”

Regaining self-respect 

Emma Forrest, a parent of three, has attended Daylight Sessions with her children. She said, “These events are perfect for anyone who feels stuck at home and has forgotten who they are. Having a small person means that often you’re excluded, but I’ve been given real respect for myself by interacting with Lizzy’s work. I do matter. My children matter and I’m allowed to take up space.” 

Making connections to ward off loneliness 

Lizzy said, “Loneliness is a national crisis impacting new parents. Creating spaces to come as a parent, to be yourself and have adult conversation is vital. It’s what the Daylight Sessions are for. If you’re a parent or carer, with or without kids, there’s space for you here.”

No babysitter required! 

A comedy gig for sleep-deprived parents and an opportunity for daytime laughs, Jo Enright is headlining a lineup of grown-up comedy from 11am to 1pm as part of the Reclaim Festival on November 15th at The Barnfield Theatre, Exeter and there’s poetry from powerhouses Lily Redwood and Liv Torc on November 29th from 11am to 1pm at Exeter Phoenix. The other side of the festive season, from 1pm to 3pm on January 11th at the Exeter Phoenix, stalwarts of the indie, post-punk, alt-rock scene Witching Waves are offering parents the chance to bring the heat at a music gig, no babysitter required! Exeter icons acoustic singer- songwriter duo Sounds of the Sirens are joining the line up, bringing their trademark mix of poignant ballads and foot-stomping, sing-along anthems.

Daylight sessions fit around parenting responsibilities

Being a parent to young children can often leave adults feeling exhausted and excluded. Many events and activities for parents focus on the child rather than the parent, whereas the Daylight Sessions are tailored towards adults and are welcoming to children. They are timed to fit around bed and dinner times, school pick ups and drop offs and into a lunch break for people working in the city.

When Emma Forrest discovered the Daylight Sessions she felt relief at being able to access gigs and art and has found a sense of community in the spaces Lizzy provides.

“A lot of places tolerate rather than accept children, but at Lizzy’s events they’re welcome and respected. My nine-year-old is as welcome as my baby and I appreciate being trusted to judge what my kids can and can’t handle in terms of content. I find the events so nourishing. I get to see great performers and feel seen and held in spaces that often feel out of reach.”

“Going to Daylight Sessions is about feeling like myself again.” – Amy Adkin

Amy Adkin is a parent and artist who has found inspiration at the Daylight Sessions. During her maternity leave, the sessions provided her only opportunity to access arts and culture.

“One of the beautiful things is that it always seems to meet me where I am. Sometimes it’s a place to switch off and relax, which I rarely do as a mother, and other times I go for intellectual stimulation. I always come away feeling inspired and as if I’ve connected with people, am less alone, more looked after. It’s easy to neglect doing all the things we love when we become parents. All the things that make us who we are. Going to Daylight Sessions is about feeling like myself again.”

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Learn more about the Daylight Sessions and book your tickets by clicking this link: https://www.lizzyhumber.com/daylightsessions