A free day of panels, workshops, presentations and networking for those working in, supporting or aspiring to work in the music industry.
The Launchpad Conference returns for 2023, partnering with PRS Foundation's Talent Development Conference supported by PPL. Join us on the 24th of February 2023 for a day of discussion, learning and networking, with speakers from the local music scene, and those working on a national and international level, at Leeds Beckett University City Campus.
If you are involved in music at any level and hope to gain a better understanding of the music industry – as an artist, producer, manager, promoter, student, enthusiast or otherwise, come along to find out more from leading experts and professionals.
Panelists & Speakers include:
Michelle Escoffery (President of the Member's Council - PRS)
Kate Lowes (Head of Programmes at Brighter Sound)
Yasin El Ashrafi (HQ Recording Studio, HQ Familia record label, HQ CAN)
Yvette Griffith (Co-Chief Exec of Jazz re:freshed)
Michelle Myrie (Grants and Learning Officer at Youth Music)
Stephen Lynch (DJ/Producer, DJ Agent M)
Benjamin Akpojaro (A&R / Manager at Triple Seven Music)
Bethan Heaton (Project Manager, Secretly Distribution)
Adam Joolia (CEO of AudioActive)
Jo Towler (Chief Executive of Music in the Round)
LayFullstop (Artist)
Yaw Owusu (Senior Manager, POWER UP / Programme Manager, LIMF Academy)
Cath Hurley (Co-Founder + Head of Skills and Development at Future Yard, Artist Manager at MOSTDEFFO and Liverpool City Region Music Board member)
Topics for discussion will include:
Making the Most of Live Showcase Events
What next for Talent Development Pipeline
On Track with PRS, PPL & PRS Foundation
Songwriting Collaboration, Publishing and Sync
Building Support in a Regional Music Sector
Music Sector Partnerships for Industry & Music Education
UK Music MAP Panel
PLUS our regular Speed Advice Sessions will return, allowing you to book one to one meetings with industry professionals.
More info to be announced soon, register for tickets to keep up to date. To get an idea of what to expect, look back at last year's conference here.
Tickets for the conference are free / pay as you feel, but you need to register in advance to attend.
Tickets can be secured for free so that the event is accessible to people just starting out in music and/or on a lower income, but if you have the means to, please think about making a donation when you book your ticket. By making a donation you will be contributing to our ongoing work to support the music sector in Yorkshire.
***************************************
Covid guidance
We encourage you to take a lateral flow test before you come to the venue if possible. If you have a positive test, develop a high temperature, a cough or change/loss of taste or smell, please stay at home.
For more information, you can read the venue's guidance here.
***************************************
Access
Accessibility information for the venue can be found here.
If you have any access requirements or questions, please free to drop us an email at emily@musiclocal.co.uk or get in touch with Leeds Beckett University Disability Advice team at disabilityadvice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk or 0113 812 5831.
***************************************
Launchpad and PRS Foundation Talent Development Conference is delivered by Music Local, partnering with PRS Foundation with support from Leeds Beckett University, Youth Music with public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England, arts@leeds, PPL, PRS For Music, UK Music, Music:Leeds, Leeds 2023, PRS Foundation's Talent Development Partnership supported by PPL and Leeds City Council as part of Innovation@Leeds, part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Since 2000 PRS Foundation has given more than £41 million to over 8,100 new music initiatives. 9 out of 12 Mercury Prize 2022 nominees had received PRS Foundation support (including the winner Little Simz) and the charity has supported BRITS, RPS, AIM and Ivors Award-winners.
PRS Foundation supports outstanding talent from all backgrounds, covering the whole of the UK and all genres, with grantee success stories including Little Simz, Wolf Alice, Dave, Sam Fender, Years & Years, AJ Tracey, Anna Meredith, Yola, Glass Animals, Ezra Collective, Jade Bird, Ghetts, Shiva Feshareki, Sarathy Korwar, Floating Points, Nadine Shah, The Fanatix, Imogen Heap, IDLES, Kae Tempest, Kojey Radical and Emily Burns.
Widely respected as an inclusive, collaborative and proactive funding body, PRS Foundation supports an exceptional range of new music activity through direct grants to music creators and through support for pioneering organisations, including venues, festivals, promoters and other Talent Development organisations. PRS Foundation founded the Women Make Music fund, co-founded global gender equality initiative, Keychange and most recently launched the POWER UP initiative to tackle anti-Black racism in music. www.prsfoundation.com
