Music Industry Advice
Are you an artist starting out on your career? A music-lover who wants to work in audio production or A&R? Or just a creative who wants to learn more about the music industry? Then this page is for you!
Every year BBC Music Introducing puts on an event called Introducing LIVE, with the aim of sharing advice for anyone who wants to learn about music in all its forms. It has taken place virtually and across the UK, with stars like Jake Bugg and Arlo Parks telling their stories, and experts ranging from label heads, to radio presenters, to Glastonbury's Emily Eavis imparting their knowledge.
We've collated a selection of brilliant masterclasses and interviews below for anyone who is interested in the creative industries - so scroll through the topics below and get listening! We have panels on the following subjects:
- How to succeed
- Making Music
- Gigging
- Releasing music and making money
- Mental health and inclusivity
How to succeed
-
How we made it
Sam Ryder, Maisie Peters, and Piers from Rudimental share their stories
-
How BBC Introducing can help an artist
Kelly Betts, venbee, Sekou, and Ryan Lofthouse, discuss how Introducing can help an artist's musical career
-
Getting national recognition
Tips from Jack Saunders (Radio 1’s Future Artists), Andre AM (Radio 1 / 1Xtra), Hana Staddon (6 Music), Alison Howe (BBC Music / Later with Jools Holland), and Alysha Wood (Never Say Die Promotions)
-
Advice for careers in radio and live music
Inspirational stories and expert advice from industry professionals who work across music at the BBC, as part of East Bank Careers Week
-
Building your ideas and discovering new opportunities
Featuring Dev Sherlock (SXSW Festival), Catrin Vincent (Another Sky) and Dr Rangan Chatterjee
-
How to make it as an artist outside of London
Featuring Alex Robertshaw (Everything Everything), Lauran Hibberd, and Jaguar
-
Making it as a one-person band
Featuring Jack Garratt, Georgia, Inka Upendo and Heléna Star
-
How non-conforming artists prosper in their surroundings
Being unique should be celebrated! Hear from artists who have kept it authentic.
-
The ultimate guide to TikTok
Adum built a following of nearly 500k on Tiktok, and then converted that to 1.6m streams on his debut single - find out how
-
How to make it as a DJ
Top tips from DJ, vocalist and producer Jess Kidd
-
Get creative
Getting TikTok-ready, building your brand and making the most of studio time
-
Tom Robinson's advice for musicians and presenters
Tom Robinson shared his tips in conversation with Emily Pilbeam, before leaving 6 Music's Introducing Mixtape
Making Music
-
The Art of Song
Top tips from Future Utopia, Carla Marie Williams (songwriter for Beyoncé, Sean Paul & Britney Spears), Debbie, Miss Jacqui, and RØRY
-
Sounds of Glass Animals: Production tips with Dave Bayley
Advice from Glass Animals' lead vocalist
-
Making radio-quality tracks from home
Featuring Andy Rogers (Radio 1's Live Lounge), Katie Tavini (Mastering Engineer for Nadine Shah) and lecturers from Hull University's Music Technology course
-
Songwriting: Inspiration and Creativity
Featuring Arlo Parks, Mae Muller, Holly Humberstone, and Chris Bailey (Do Nothing), plus songwriters for artists like George Ezra, Easy Life, Stormzy and more
-
Developing as a songwriter
Earley's Bethia speaks to Gini from MIYA MIYA about being played on Radio 1 and writing for Jason Derulo, Liam Payne and Jonas Blue
-
Music production and live sound
Deva St. John speaks to Munboi about music production, and live sound
-
How to build a home studio
Featuring chart-topper 220 Kid, plus Andrew Scheps (Adele, Red Hot Chili Peppers), Richard Wood (The Old Smithy), Paul White (Sound on Sound), Paul Farrer (Weakest Link, Dancing On Ice).
Gigging
-
How to smash a live set
Lorna Blackwood (vocal coach to Dua Lipa, Mimi Webb), Egg Moore (Porij), and Mike Park (musical director) discuss how to smash a live performance
-
How to make a song into a show
You've written a song, but how do you make it sound and look good live?
-
How to run a successful club night
Featuring 220 Kid, Judge Jules, Alan McGee, and more
-
Streaming masterclass
Streaming is now a fundamental part of the music industry so how can you make the most of it to boost your own music and reach a wider audience?
-
Gigging again
How to get back into gigging following the pandemic
-
The future of live and local
How artists and composers coped when live music was put on hold
-
Keeping Live Alive
Arlo Parks, Sybil Bell, Annie Mac, Alexandra Ampofo, and Lianne La Havas discuss the future of live music
-
How to get booked for The Great Escape Festival
Adam Ryan, head of music for The Great Escape Festival, explains how he books artists
Releasing music & making money
-
Being an independent artist
Grace Carter, Hak Baker and more share their advice for being an independent artist
-
Record deals: Pros and Pitfalls
Join Judge Jules, Lauren Aquilina and more on a whirlwind tour of the record deal world
-
How to make a living from music
Featuring advice from industry experts including Dev from IDLES
-
How to find a manager - and how to manage an artist
Thor Sutherland from Way Out Music on starting out as an artist and music management
-
Investment
Breaking down the economics of recording
-
Self-managing and self-releasing music
Low Island's Carlos & Felix present a masterclass on self-managing & self-releasing music
Mental Health & Inclusivity
-
Inclusivity
Making sure anyone can thrive in the UK's music culture
-
How to build resilience in the music industry
Feeling overwhelmed? Radio 1's Dr Radha, Will from Creeper, Mauvey, and Bruch are here to help
-
Positivity & Wellbeing
Finding your identity as an artist and managing your mental health
-
LGBTQ+ artists sparking a revolution
Lava La Rue, Tag Warner (Gay Times), Shura, Jodie Harsh and Mykki Blanco explore the inspiring LGBTQ+ key players who are sparking a revolution in music
-
Women in music
Featuring Este from Haim, Jamz Supernova and Biig Piig
-
Owning your heritage
Featuring Joy Crookes, Harpz Kaur and Ransom FA
