Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Students set the stage for 11th Live at Leeds music festival
Music, events management, entertainment management and broadcast media students will be getting involved in a variety of roles at the weekend as they work and perform at the annual Unconference music industry event, the Live at Leeds music festival, and the Live at Leeds Extra Time charity football match.
Simon Bell, Senior Lecturer in Events Management at Leeds Beckett, said: “Over the last 11 years, Leeds Beckett’s role from being an original partner in the Live at Leeds festival has really grown. We have more students every year all gaining hands-on experience and really enjoying it. It’s such a great event and something we are pleased our students can be a key part of.”
On Friday 28 April, Events Management students from Leeds Beckett will work at Leeds College of Music, The Wardrobe and Ipsum Vinoteca to run the Unconference. This is a day of music industry expert panels, discussions and workshops, which is supported by PRS for Music Foundation. The Unconference will be filmed and live-streamed by Broadcast Media students at the University. This year Live at Leeds and the Unconference have become part of the new Leeds International Festival, showcasing the best of music, moving image and technology across the city from Saturday 22 – Sunday 30 April.
Samuel Nicholls, Senior Lecturer in Music at Leeds Beckett, commented: “The Unconference is now in its eighth year, and with the support of Leeds International Festival it is brilliant to be able to expand and offer our attendees more opportunity to get industry advice and guidance, as well as find out more about key stakeholders in the music industry. As well as the usual panel discussion from record labels, artists and more, I’m very proud of our new Industry Pitches stream, where a host of leading UK music organisations such as PRS, PPL and Musicians Union will be presenting, as well as the ability to host a Spotify Artist and Manager Masterclass and Self-Employment / Business Workshop."
Registration will take place at the Wardrobe at 10am, with workshops taking place throughout the day at Leeds College of Music, Ipsum Vinoteca on Duke Street, and the Wardrobe. Speakers include: BBC Introducing, Utah Saints, I Like Press, BBC Radio 1Xtra, Spotify, Hatch Records and more, with the keynote being delivered by Zach Fuller of MIDiA Research.
There will be panel discussions, a masterclass from Spotify’s Label Relations coordinator for artists and managers, Drew Lam, and ‘meet the experts’ slots providing one-to-one chats with music industry experts.
On Saturday 29 April, the Live at Leeds music festival will take place in venues across the city, with over 100 artists performing on 21 different stages across 16 venues. Events Management students will be running the festival wristband exchange at the first direct Arena and nearly 100 Music, Film and Performing Arts students will be involved in all of the stages across the city as crew and artist liaison. The Leeds Beckett Stage 2 will be run entirely by Music students at the University, who will carry out all of the stage management, artist liaison and live sound.
Carl Flattery, Head of Student Experience for Film, Music and Performing Arts at Leeds Beckett, said: “This has grown into one of our most popular volunteering opportunities as it connects our students directly with the local and national music scene. The students gain valuable experience and make useful contacts, with many going on to gain further employment.”
Live at Leeds is the North’s leading metropolitan festival showcasing new music. This year venues include the Brudenell Social Club, Leeds Beckett City Campus Students’ Union, the O2 Academy, Headrow House and the Belgrave Music Hall. Artists performing this year include: Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, Slaves, White Lies, Wild Beasts, and Nothing But Thieves.
Finally, on Monday 1 May, Events Management students will run the Live at Leeds Extra Time football match in aid of Martin House Children’s Hospice, taking place at Goals on Redcote Lane, off Kirkstall Road, from 1pm to 6pm.
Reigning champions, Leeds Beckett Broadcast Media Technologies, will take on competitors including first direct Arena, ITV, Leeds O2 Academy and Roxy Leisure. There will also be live music, food and drink on offer.
Samuel added: “Live At Leeds Extra Time is a great event that brings together a large number of music industry organisations in Leeds in a social setting at Goals Soccer Centre. For the students to be able to facilitate this, while raising money for Martin House Children’s Hospice, is fantastic experience.”
The live music stage is being organised with partners Girls That Gig.