Sustaining the Sound - Making sense of money in the Music Industry
Sep
22

Sustaining the Sound - Making sense of money in the Music Industry

Having a sustainable career in the music industry goes beyond just the music, it requires financial know-how. Whether you're not yet registered as a sole trader, or are about to become VAT registered, this event is for you. Sustaining the Sound is a designed to help demystify money management for artists, bands, producers, freelancers and others working in the music industry.

Sustaining the Sound takes place at Howard Assembly Room on Tuesday 22nd of September from 6pm - 9pm

This event is an opportunity for you to:

  • Understand where you are in your financial journey in music and what your aims are.

  • Learn where your multiple income streams can come from and how to reach them.

  • Learn how to manage your cash flow and some tools that can help.

  • Understand how to stay on top of tax and the legal implications of running a music business, including self assessment tips and the upcoming Making Tax Digital change.

  • Get a chance to explore the Tracks platform 1:1 and sign up for free.

  • Speak to people in the know about money in the music industry.

More information coming soon. Register your place now [HERE], to be the first to know!

 

Launchpad is a non-profit organisation which provides advice, funding and opportunities to empower existing or aspiring artists and music professionals in Yorkshire with the skills and knowledge to navigate a career in music whilst also building an important network. Support, guidance and access to resources is available through our various support strands as well as regular workshops, panels and conferences.

Bills and Beats is a welcoming space where early-stage creatives learn how to navigate finances, careers, and independence together, a platform supporting creative freelancers and aspiring creative entrepreneurs to develop stronger financial knowledge and confidence. Bills and Beats provide safe networking spaces, practical financial learning, and honest conversations designed specifically for people working in the creative industries, and offer imaginative opportunities to connect with industry, finance and business allies

Tracks is a music dashboard built by music accountants for professional musicians, which integrates with your existing Xero and QuickBooks, and provides you with the insight you need to manage your music finances. Streaming, live, merch, royalties and label statements all land in one tidy dashboard. You see the numbers you care about, your accountant gets the detail they need.

 

Other Resources:

Our music industry insights sessions are a great way to learn more about different areas of the music industry.

Run by our music industry advisors, each session covers a topic to help you develop your project and career, plan your next steps and give you confidence in reaching out to other music organisations and partners.

 
 

Launchpad is delivered by Music Local, and is supported by Youth Music, with public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England, PPL Giving, Leeds City Council funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and PRS Foundation's Talent Development Partnership supported by PPL

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Launchpad Music Industry Support: Hull + Gig @ The Polar Bear Music Club, Hull
Jul
28

Launchpad Music Industry Support: Hull + Gig @ The Polar Bear Music Club, Hull

Join the Launchpad team and a selection of speakers from the music industry for an insightful discussion on the opportunities available to musicians, artists, and aspiring professionals in Hull and across Yorkshire.

Taking place from 7:30pm on Tuesday 28th of July at the Polar Bear Music Club, Hull, the evening will feature details of Launchpad programs that provide industry advice & mentoring, opportunities to perform live at festivals and events across the region and funding to support project and personal development, as well as opportunities by other organisations such as Youth Music, Help Musicians & PRS Foundation.

Discussing opportunities to develop music careers will be a panel discussion from individuals who have built successful music careers both locally and nationally, sharing their experiences and offer advice on navigating and developing a career in the music industry.

Speakers include:

Stick around after the panel for a Launchpad special of the classic Sesh night from 9pm

Times for the evening

7pm Doors

7:30pm - 8:30pm - Launchpad Panel

9.00pm - 9.20pm - Madeleine May

9.30 - 10.00pm - A Happy Salmon

10.00pm - 10.45pm - Tymisha

11pm - Flat Number Two


Launchpad is delivered by Music Local, and is supported by Youth Music, with public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England, PPL Giving, Bradford Council, Leeds City Council funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and PRS Foundation's Talent Development Partnership supported by PPL.

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Launchpad Youth Showcase - July 2026
Jul
12

Launchpad Youth Showcase - July 2026

Launchpad in association with Futuresound present the next Youth Showcase event, featuring 5 artists all aged 18 and under based in West Yorkshire, performing at one of Leeds most prestigious grassroots music venues. 

Taking place on Sunday 12th of July at The Wardrobe, Leeds, our February showcase features the following artists are all still in school or college:

Third Avenue

Terrarium

Dorodango

Cargo

The Lost Squirrels

This showcase brings them together and provides audiences, friends and family the opportunity to support emerging talent, with quick fire sets of their own original music, between 4pm and 7pm. 

Tickets are:

£6 - Over 21s
£3 - 21 and under

Under 14s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.


The event is part of the Launchpad Futures initiative, which has seen school visits across Yorkshire to educate young people on music industry career pathways, a collaboration with Discover Creative Careers on a video following artist Dilettante and the different roles and jobs that support artist careers, and open mic performance opportunities with Leeds Libraries and Leeds Art Gallery.

The showcase aims to become a regular event, with an open call for young performers to feature, linking to other youth centred initiatives in the city, with the intention to create a pathway to young artists to build performance opportunities and pathways to getting ahead in the music industry. 

Launchpad is delivered by Music Local, and is supported by Youth Music, with public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England, PPL Giving, Leeds City Council funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and PRS Foundation's Talent Development Partnership supported by PPL

 
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Rock@UKREiiF - Lucky Iris + Floodhounds + Silver Tongued Rascals
May
19

Rock@UKREiiF - Lucky Iris + Floodhounds + Silver Tongued Rascals

Rock@UKREiiF Festival is back - bringing big sound, big energy and big impact to support LandAid during UKREiiF.

Join us at Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds for two unforgettable nights of live music, special guests and serious atmosphere. Together, we’ll turn up the volume and raise vital funds to help end youth homelessness.

This year, Rock @ UKREiiF runs across two nights:

Each night requires its own ticket.
If you’d like to attend both, please purchase a ticket for each evening.

Let’s make it louder than ever — and make a real difference while we’re at it.

Launchpad is delivered by Music Local, and is supported by Youth Music, with public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England, PPL Giving, Leeds City Council funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and PRS Foundation's Talent Development Partnership supported by PPL

 
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Northern House Social 2026 @ The Great Escape Festival, Brighton
May
14

Northern House Social 2026 @ The Great Escape Festival, Brighton

This year, organisations, places and regional mayors have come together to establish Northern House at The Great Escape - a place to see the best talent from the North, and get together with those creating the platforms and establishing the agenda for the burgeoning Northern Music Sector.

Join us for drinks, conversation, and connection! Meet the incredible partner organisations, and discover how you can get involved. You’ll also hear about the talented Northern artists lighting up the festival and the inspiring work already underway to champion music across and beyond our region.

You must RSVP in order to attend, however entry is first come first serve.

In addition to networking, there will be showcases across Thursday and Friday, from 12pm - 4pm and 7pm - 11pm each day, featuring 16 artists in total.

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Launchpad Youth Showcase - April 2026
Apr
26

Launchpad Youth Showcase - April 2026

Launchpad in association with Futuresound present the next Youth Showcase event, featuring 5 artists all aged 18 and under based in West Yorkshire, performing at one of Leeds most prestigious grassroots music venues. 

Taking place on Sunday 26th April at The Wardrobe, Leeds, our February showcase features the following artists are all still in school or college:

Jeanine
Pretty Fried
The Broken Compasses
Madeleine May
Emma Jane

This showcase brings them together and provides audiences, friends and family the opportunity to support emerging talent, with quick fire sets of their own original music, between 4pm and 7pm. 

Tickets are:

£6 - Over 21s
£3 - 21 and under

Under 14s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.


The event is part of the Launchpad Futures initiative, which has seen school visits across Yorkshire to educate young people on music industry career pathways, a collaboration with Discover Creative Careers on a video following artist Dilettante and the different roles and jobs that support artist careers, and open mic performance opportunities with Leeds Libraries and Leeds Art Gallery.

The showcase aims to become a regular event, with an open call for young performers to feature, linking to other youth centred initiatives in the city, with the intention to create a pathway to young artists to build performance opportunities and pathways to getting ahead in the music industry. 

Launchpad is delivered by Music Local, and is supported by Youth Music, with public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England, PPL Giving, Leeds City Council funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and PRS Foundation's Talent Development Partnership supported by PPL

 
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Launchpad Conference 2026
Mar
27

Launchpad Conference 2026

  • Leeds School of Arts | Leeds Beckett University (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

A free day of panels, workshops, presentations and networking for those working in, or aspiring to work in the music industry.

Taking place on Friday 27th of March 2026 at Leeds School of Arts @ Leeds Beckett University City Campus.

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Launchpad Music Industry Mixer
Feb
5

Launchpad Music Industry Mixer

Launchpad is hosting a music industry mixer event on Thursday 5th of February from 4pm at North Bar - Aire Park.

Open to everyone, this is a fantastic opportunity to connect with the Launchpad team, our incredible community of artists and industry professionals, and our partners.

No sign up required, just turn up!

 

Got a question? Email hello@launchpad-music.com

*Launchpad is delivered by Music Local, and is supported by Youth Music, with public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England, PPL Giving, Bradford Council, Leeds City Council funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and PRS Foundation's Talent Development Partnership supported by PPL.*

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Launchpad Youth Showcase - February 2025
Feb
1

Launchpad Youth Showcase - February 2025

Launchpad in association with Futuresound present the next Youth Showcase event, featuring 5 artists all aged 18 and under based in West Yorkshire, performing at one of Leeds most prestigious grassroots music venues. 

Taking place on Sunday 1st February at The Wardrobe, Leeds, our February showcase features the following artists are all still in school or college:

Öops 

Gazelles 

Sicarii  

Pretty Vengeance

The Maritime County

This showcase brings them together and provides audiences, friends and family the opportunity to support emerging talent, with quick fire sets of their own original music, between 4pm and 7pm. 

Tickets are:

£6 - Over 21s
£3 - 21 and under

Under 14s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.


The event is part of the Launchpad Futures initiative, which has seen school visits across Yorkshire to educate young people on music industry career pathways, a collaboration with Discover Creative Careers on a video following artist Dilettante and the different roles and jobs that support artist careers, and open mic performance opportunities with Leeds Libraries and Leeds Art Gallery.

The showcase aims to become a regular event, with an open call for young performers to feature, linking to other youth centred initiatives in the city, with the intention to create a pathway to young artists to build performance opportunities and pathways to getting ahead in the music industry. 

Launchpad is delivered by Music Local, and is supported by Youth Music, with public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England, PPL Giving, Leeds City Council funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and PRS Foundation's Talent Development Partnership supported by PPL

 
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Music Industry Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) - Leeds
Jan
16

Music Industry Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) - Leeds

 

Launchpad are hosting a Music Industry SWAP placement programme in Leeds as part of the Discover! Creative Careers programme.

SWAP participants will; 

  • learn about the many employment roles and pathways into the music industry, 

  • audit skills and build a CV, 

  • take part in branding and promotion workshops, 

  • visit venues and meet music industry professionals 

  • attend a networking event

To take part, you must be aged between 18-24, be a resident in the West Yorkshire region and register for the SWAP via your local Job Centre.

This two-week course runs from 26th January to 5th February and introduces participants to the diverse opportunities within the UK music industry, with a focus on both employment and self-employment pathways. Designed for users of the UK employment service, the programme combines lectures, workshops, panels, and advice sessions to provide both practical knowledge and motivational guidance.

Through exploring the business side of music, intellectual property, skills audits, and monetisation strategies, participants will gain a clear understanding of how the industry operates on both local (with examples from Yorkshire/Leeds) and global levels. Interactive sessions, reflection exercises, and guest insights will help participants identify their transferable skills, explore career options, and prepare for real-world applications.

Find out more about the programme at our Information Day on Friday 16th January at The Attic, Leeds

Got a question? Email hello@launchpad-music.com

*Launchpad is delivered by Music Local, and is supported by Youth Music, with public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England, PPL Giving, Bradford Council, Leeds City Council funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and PRS Foundation's Talent Development Partnership supported by PPL.*

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