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Life in Music: It All Starts Here!

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Life in Music: It All Starts Here!


A collective of professionals in the live music industry told stories from behind the scenes of gigs, tours, and festivals at a special event - with a focus on how their journey started in Grimsby.


‘Life in Music’ was a collaborative panel Q&A event organized by Women Connect UK, Docks Academy, and Grimbarians C.I.C. An audience of musicians, budding industry professionals, and live music enthusiasts gathered to hear from local people who scored their dream jobs in entertainment, from artists managers and booking promoters to festival ticketing managers. 


Raven Twigg, Senior Programming Manager at ASM Global and Co-Founder of Women Connect UK, a collective supporting opportunities in the creative industries, was raised in Cleethorpes and is a former student of The Lindsey School and Franklin College. She formed the idea for this event to show that there are opportunities to work and progress through the music industry, whether you are a musician or performer, into tech and engineering, or are an accountant. She said: 


“Since launching Women Connect and having thousands of attendees at our events in London, I’ve always known I’d like to host one in my hometown, Grimsby. I want the people to be inspired by a whole array of jobs within the creative industry and more specifically the music industry. I have lived all over the world, from Australia to USA, Manchester to London, and I always feel most re-energised when I’m welcomed home by the Number 1 Pub clock at the train station and the smell of freshly fried doughnuts.


“Although my home is in London these days, I want to stay connected to Cleethorpes and Grimsby, championing the next generation who are growing up in the ever-changing area, and providing them with inspiration so that they have the information to aim high. Representation is super important to me and I want people to feel seen. No matter your gender, sexuality, ethnicity, or disabilities, it’s important to know that everything is within reach if you put your mind to it. I hope hearing the story of a bi-sexual, Grimbarian girl who has her dream job working with her favourite artists can offer that.”


Joining Raven on stage for a panel discussion was Harry Tidswell, Founder and Artist Manager at Steady Management for up-and-coming Indie artist SOFY, Paul Savage, Head of Entertainment Sales and Marketing for Bonus Arena, Hull at ASM Global, and Emma Wragg, Festival Ticketing Manager at Festival Republic. The panel discussion, which included a Q&A session with the audience, was hosted by former BBC Radio Humberside presenter, Kim Harrison. 


The host for the evening was Docks Academy’s own Head of Music, Lee Welsh, who moved back to Grimsby after working through the ranks to promote and co-promote gigs with artists such as Ed Sheeran, Florence & The Machine, Calvin Harris, and Stormzy, to name a few.


Will Douglas, Director of Docks Academy said: "As well as being committed to grassroots music and seeing new independent artists emerge from North East Lincolnshire, Docks Academy is keen to help inspire young people get involved in the music industry. Following on from the Soundcheck Sessions during Independent Venue Week, we were excited to host Life In Music because it is an event which shows our attendees that people from this area really can make a great career for themselves in this industry."


To close the event, local singer-songwriter, Hattie Cattell performed a selection of her own songs.



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