WITH Madonna (60), Sir Paul McCartney (76), Bruce Springsteen (69) and Sir Elton John (71) all rumoured to be in the running for one of the coveted headline slots at next year's Glastonbury Festival can we really still regard rock 'n' roll a young person's game?

That's the interesting question posed by a new documentary made by two lecturers at Wrexham Glyndwr University which the makers, Glenn Hanstock and Graeme Park are now trying to raise funds for in order to bring it to the largest possible audience.

"Glenn and I share the drive over to Wrexham twice a week and we've spent the time throwing ideas around for a documentary, explains Graeme, who combines his work as a lecturer in creative media technology with his status as a legendary house music DJ. "We could never come up with an idea we both liked but then in Spring 2017 I DJed in London with Black Grape and I lazily assumed they'd just be playing their back catalogue but instead there was Shaun Ryder, who's in his 50s like me, playing a set of new material and it was just incredible and full of energy.

"The next day I spoke to Glenn about it and we thought why not make I documentary asking how can older artists stay creative and relevant?"

Graeme quickly went through his extensive contacts book and soon the likes of Johnny Marr, Peter Hook, formerly of New Order, Clint Boon of the Inspiral Carpets, Rowetta and DJ Marshall Jefferson were all on board as well as promises from Noel Gallagher and Moloko's Roisin Murphy.

"We made it basically for nothing so far with Glenn calling in favours and me calling everyone I know," says Graeme. "It's full of people I know but we want to make it more international and have a wish list of people including Depeche Mode and David Bryne."

Calling the film, Embrace the New, Graeme and Glenn, whose 2015 documentary Tickle The Ivories won a number of awards, have now launched a Kickstarter crowd funding campaign in order to fund production costs to finish the documentary.

"Early reaction has been extremely strong and we’ve made a two minute trailer that perfectly frames our creative vision," explains Graeme. "The first teasers, which we recently released across social media, received over 70k views in less than two days.

"All funds raised in this campaign will go into what you see on screen from the camera work and graphics to the artists themselves.

"We've been filming when we can in Liverpool and Manchester and have already captured some great interviews and footage. In order to make the film that we have envisioned and get interviews with some key artists we need to expand filming outside of the North West and potentially even outside of the UK. Funds raised from this campaign will be used to pay for production costs associated with filming those interviews."

The pair have had serious pre-buy and distribution interest from Sky Arts and TVF and their Kickstarter crowd funding campaign was launched with a party at Manchester’s Cane and Grain earlier this month.

"We want to make an unforgettable documentary that music fans will be talking about for years to come," says Graeme. "We have so much passion for this project and want to make something that reflects that."

What then is the secret to lasting success in the music business and why are the likes of Gallagher, Ryder and Marr still producing some of their best and most critically acclaimed work post half-century?

"The common theme seems to be that they've all given up drinking and drugs," laughs Graeme. "Johnny (Marr) says in the film that drugs ruin everything and he's right. I'm 55 and since I gave up drinking a few years ago I've never felt so energised and productive and it does make me think if only I'd done it 20 years ago.

"I had a great time but I think I would have got a lot more done and I probably wouldn't have to crowd fund because I'd have the money in the bank and could invest myself. Hindsight is a wonderful thing!

"When you are in your 20s you have the energy, the curiosity and the naivety with which to experiment but then age and wisdom grow and you realise 'do I really need to do all that'?

"When you party around the world like I have you don't get anything done on a Monday or a Tuesday and the older you get that quickly becomes Wednesday and Thursday. As someone who is a senior lecturer now I need to be at my best for those two days a week in order to give the students the best version of me."

Graeme himself is currently enjoying a creative second coming with Hacienda Classical - a touring live show which gives club classics like Pacific State, Voodoo Ray, Ride on Time and You Got The Love a classical music makeover.

"I don't think it would have got done if I still partied like I used to," he says. "The work, effort and concentration which goes into that show means by not getting involved with all the periphery stuff we put on a great show. And on Monday I'm up and at them again."

One of the biggest expenses Graeme and Glenn face is obtaining music licences in order to fill their documentary with the songs an audience will know and love.

"We've got two weeks to go and people can pledge as little as £2 which is the price of a hot drink," added Graeme, whose new compilation album Long Live House Volume 1: The 1980s comes out on December 7.

"Or you can go as big as you like but we do guarantee you will get something in return whether it's merchandise, tickets to the premier or even the chance of me DJing in your living room and a credit in the film.

"Even if you can't donate, sharing the link with your family and friends will help us greatly. The more people that know about our project the greater our chances of reaching our goal."

Embrace the New’s Kickstarter campaign page is: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1385497540/embrace-the-new