Eliza Doolittle
On Saturday 4 October more than 1,500 young people headed to The Brewery in London for a one day music industry event, The Big Music Project Live in London. The Big Lottery Funded event gave people aged 14-24 the opportunity to gain insider knowledge and hands on experience, from industry experts and artists, to help them find work and training opportunities in the music industry. Attendees to the free event enjoyed performances from artists including, MNEK, Eliza Doolittle, Becky Hill and a DJ set from Chase & Status’ Will Kennard, while project ambassador, Plan B offered insider knowledge and advice on forging a career in the industry.
There were seminars from organisations including the Association of Independent Music (AIM), Student Radio Association and UK Music. Big Music Project volunteers from ‘ hubs’ in London and across the UK were given the opportunity to work as event managers and artist liaisons at The Big Music Project Live in London.
Connor Joyce, a Big Music Project volunteer said: “To be given the opportunity to work with the artist liaison team at an event like The Big Music Project Live has been a great experience. Being face to face with artists like MNEK and Eliza Doolittle was surreal. I have met lots of new people and have made contacts that could help my career in the future.”
Funded by the Big Lottery Fund, The Big Music Project is a collaboration between two of the biggest names in UK music – the UK’s number one hit music station, Global’s Capital FM, which reaches 7.3 million listeners each week, and the BPI, who are behind the BRITs. Both have joined up with charity UK Youth to inspire and create incredible opportunities for 14-24 year olds from across the country wanting to succeed in the music business.
The year long project will reach more than 4.5 million young people, giving them access all areas to the industry and providing them with unbeatable advice, support and expertise directly from those at the heart of the industry. So whether an aspiring radio presenter, make up artist, lighting engineer, or just looking to learn about the business, The Big Music Project will help young people build confidence and develop transferable skills to improve their prospects in the music industry and other employment.
The Big Music Project Live in Cardiff will take place on Saturday 11 October and in Belfast on Saturday 18 October.
http://www.thebigmusicproject.co.uk/
On a personal note, I took my 15 year old daughter and her friend to the last function of the day, FIRST FOOT IN THE DOOR, at 6.15pm.
FIRST FOOT IN THE DOOR introduced about 30 of us to 5 young professionals at various stages in their careers in the music industry.
So many pointers and interesting facets of how to make it in this very exciting industry, but here are a few to start with:
- Get out and look for opportunities.
- http://www.younggunsnetwork.co.uk/ is a great place to start networking. Your network will help you more than anything else.
- Try a lot of things (never say no) and you will realise the one thing you are passionate about; whether it be a skill or a genre.
- Keep learning because your broad range of skills and experience will get you further in the long-run.
My fellow reviewer, Stephanie Ross, also noted a diverse and interesting group on stalls from various organisations in “The Market Place” upstairs at The Brewery.
As the last waves of music were coming from the exhibition space on the floor above us, I really regretted not being there all day!
