WIREDGOV

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.

Grammy nominated, singer-songwriter MNEK said: “The Big Music Project gives young people access to producers, managers, set designers, artists and a load of other industry insiders who are at top of their game. It can be difficult to know where to start and this project gives young people who are passionate about music, knowledge and hands on experience."

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. Visit www.thebigmusicproject.co.uk and follow @BigMusicUK to get your free tickets and find out more.

For further information on The Big Music Project please contact:
 
Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888 
Out of hours media contact: 07867 500 572 

Lynne McDowell
Lynne.McDowell@bpi.co.uk
07763 619709

Sophie Randles
Sophie.randles@capitalfm.com
020 7054 8388
 
Strands of The Big Music Project 
 
1.       A major media campaign driven by Capital to reach in excess of 4,500,000 young people through radio, social media and online activity. This will promote participation in the rest of the project. 
2.       The Big Music Project Live (powered by Music Matters).  Four national music careers events will promote opportunities to engage with the music industry sign up to our music competition and explore our work opportunities programme. 
3.       The Big Music Project Competition (powered by The Next Brit Thing), which develops talent, introduces young people to the inner workings of the music industry and signposts local music-related development opportunities. 
4.       A work opportunities programme called ‘On Track’ offering in excess of 250 placements, ranging from the short term to year-long paid internships across the music industry and beyond. 
5.       A grassroots training and development programme delivered through 100 youth clubs reaching in the region of 25,000 young people. We will recruit 1,000 project champions to learn about community cohesion, citizenship and employability, with music as the unifying theme. These champions will go on to peer educate a further 10,000 young people. 
6.       A major campaign website integrating existing social media platforms, providing downloadable resources and upload functionality for young people to showcase their creative skills.

Notes to editors

• The Big Lottery Fund is responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery.
• The Fund is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. Since its inception in 2004 it has awarded close to £6bn.
• In the year ending 31 March 2013, 28% of total National Lottery revenue was awarded to projects. Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £31 billion has been raised and more than 400,000 grants awarded

Project Partners

About Global:
Global’s radio stations include the three biggest commercial radio networks – Capital, Heart and Classic FM – as well as Capital XTRA, LBC, Smooth, XFM and Gold. Alongside its radio business, Global runs two 24-hour television services, Capital TV and Heart TV, a fast-growing talent business with a roster of international recording artists and a highly successful music publishing business. Global designs, builds and operates market-leading websites for each of its radio brands and develops its own direct-to-consumer digital audio and video products, services and apps in-house. Global is led by Founder and Executive President, Ashley Tabor, Group CEO, Stephen Miron and Director of Broadcasting, Richard Park. It is chaired by Lord Allen of Kensington.
 
About The BPI:
The BPI is the representative voice of the UK recorded music business. It is a trade organisation funded by its members.  The BPI also organises the annual BRIT Awards show and The Classic BRITs.
 
About UK Youth:
UK Youth is a national charity at the heart of a network of organisations that support young people to learn, grown and succeed. It develops and promotes learning opportunities beyond mainstream school and through regional youth associations and local groups reaches 690,000 young people each year. 
 
www.thebigmusicproject.co.uk   
http://www.twitter.com/BigMusicUK #BigMusic
http://www.facebook.com/bigmusicUK