UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 15 OCTOBER 2021
Staff and first and second-year students from the BA Music Industries course met professionals from across the creative industries in Birmingham on a tour of the Digbeth music community earlier this week.
Topics including placements, employability, and partnerships, as well as the city’s music heritage, and working in the industry, were discussed with teams at six music venues, creative professionals and recording artists from Birmingham.
Organised and hosted on behalf of the degree course by Birmingham City University Senior External Relations Officer and music industry consultant Lyle Bignon, the tour took in grassroots venues Suki10c, Norton’s Digbeth, Mama Roux’s, Dead Wax Digbeth and The Rainbow Pub, before culminating in a visit to new 3,500 capacity venue and club Forum Birmingham.
Along the way, students met with directors, general managers, promoters and bookers, sound engineers, recording artists, festival curators and operations staff.
Dr Matt Grimes, course leader, said, “The BA (Hons) Music Industries course at BCU is purposefully designed around the Birmingham music industries and uses the city's diverse music ecology as a 'live' laboratory.
“Meeting players in Birmingham's music industries allows the students to network, establish professional relationships, and through collaborative projects increase their skillsets and ultimately increase their employability prospects.”
Billy Chauhan, director at Forum Birmingham, said, “It was an absolute pleasure welcoming first and second-year students to our new space.
"Engaging with the communities around us is integral to Forum Birmingham; we look forward to working closely with BCU staff and students on a number of opportunities and initiatives."