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.*
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:
Oöps
The Gazelles
Sicarii
Pretty Vengeance
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
Claudia Fenoglio EP Launch w/ Special Guests: CHAR & Lucas Assagba
To celebrate the release of Claudia Fenoglio’s new EP, It Always Fades In The End, the band will be playing a headline show at Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds, on Weds 26th November 2025.
Alongside Claudia, alternative indie/shoegaze artist CHAR and singer, songwriter and producer Lucas Assagba will perform.
Leeds Libraries in partnership with Launchpad present - Open Mic
Looking for a laid-back space to share your creativity? Join Leeds Libraries in partnership with Launchpad for an Open Mic Night at Leeds Central Library.
Taking place on Wednesday 26th of November 2025 from 5pm until 7:30pm
Live At Leeds In The City 2025
Join Launchpad at Sela Bar Leeds as part of Live at Leeds in The City on Saturday 15th Oct, 2025
The Sound Gallery - Acoustic Open Mic
Join Leeds Art Gallery in partnership with Launchpad for an acoustic Open Mic at Central Court, Leeds Art Gallery.
Taking place on Saturday 8th of November 2025 from 1:30pm until 3:30pm
The Sound Gallery - Acoustic Open Mic
Join Leeds Art Gallery in partnership with Launchpad for an acoustic Open Mic at Tiled Hall, Leeds Art Gallery.
Taking place on Saturday 11th of October 2025 from 1:30pm until 3:30pm
Yorkshire Music Forum Convention 2025
Yorkshire Music Forum Convention returns for 2025. Now in its 9th edition the convention aims to gather together and support the region's music industry.
Launchpad Music Industry Insight Sessions 2025
Weekly online insight sessions covering themes such as: Getting Release Ready; Managing Royalties; Promotion; Funding & Live Opportunities
The Sound Gallery - Acoustic Open Mic
Join Leeds Art Gallery in partnership with Launchpad for an acoustic Open Mic at Tiled Hall, Leeds Art Gallery.
Taking place on Saturday 13th of September 2025 from 1:30pm until 3:30pm
Whether you’ve performed before or you’re just curious to give it a shot, this is your moment to step up and share in a laid-back, welcoming space. No pressure, just good vibes!
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 29th 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 9:30 pm. Music comes from Spielman & Slaprash.
Times for the evening
7.30pm Doors
8 - 9.15pm - Launchpad Panel
9.30pm - Spielman
10.30pm - Slaprash
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.
Launchpad Summer Social
Please join us at the Tetley, Leeds on Wednesday 16th of July from 7pm to celebrate the year so far at our summer social.
The Sound Gallery - Acoustic Open Mic
Join Leeds Art Gallery in partnership with Launchpad for an acoustic Open Mic at Tiled Hall, Leeds Art Gallery.
Taking place on Saturday 12th of July 2025 from 1:30pm until 3:30pm
Whether you’ve performed before or you’re just curious to give it a shot, this is your moment to step up and share in a laid-back, welcoming space. No pressure, just good vibes!
Bradford Music Industry Careers Day
Launchpad Music Industry Careers Day at Loading Bay, Bradford City Centre on Wednesday 25th June, delivered in partnership with BBC Introducing, Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, Bradford Music and Bradford Producing Hub.
The day is aimed at young people aged 14-18 in full time education, and will feature talks, panel discussions and workshops to showcase a range of roles and careers in the music industry, from performers and a variety of backstage jobs across live, radio, recording and more!
Speakers will be drawn from across Bradford and West Yorkshire as well as those from further afield, working in London for major organisations. Specifically, BBC Introducing will be bringing speakers from across the BBC networks to inspire the young people in attendance.
Schedule
Welcome & Introduction to Music Careers
Introduction and Welcome from Christian Carlisle
Short talks / presentations from:
Jenny Harris - Bradford 25 UK City of Culture
Carl White - Bradford Music
Sinead Campbell - Bradford Producing Hub
Sam Nicholls / whiskas - Launchpad.
Panel Discussion - Building A Music Career in Bradford & West Yorkshire (Session 1 + 2)
Featuring:
Satnam Galsian - Launchpad, artist
Ben Crick - composer, conductor
Kel - event promoter, Teen Scene
Joe Tilston - artist, booker St Georges Hall
Sally Bryant - artist manager
Panel Discussion - BBC Introducing Artists Journey talk (Session 3 + 4)
Featuring:
Christian Carlisle – BBC Introducing in Leeds and Sheffield Presenter & BBC Introducing Rock on Radio 1 Cover Presenter.
Sinead Campbell – artist
Kenzo Jae – artist
Vanessa Ndukuba – artist, AfroBaby
Tanisha Badman
All Stars Production Workshop
Featuring:
Allstar Overview & YU-Studios DAW demo
DJ workshop
Music tech workshop
BBC Introducing Outside Broadcast Workshop featuring:
Featuring:
Shimla Randall – BBC Introducing Apprentice
Kayah Hazell – BBC Introducing on 1Xtra Producer
Richard Biddulph – BBC Local Engineer
Find out more about the speakers here:
Leeds Jazz Festival (Welcome to Leeds Stage - Curated by Launchpad)
On Friday 23rd of May Launchpad will be curating an evening of emerging talent, from all corners of the jazz+ world as part of Leeds Jazz Festival 2025.
Launchpad Yorkshire Showcase @ The Great Escape Festival, Brighton
Launchpad Yorkshire Showcase @ The Great Escape Festival, Brighton
The Sound Gallery - Acoustic Open Mic
Join Leeds Art Gallery in partnership with Launchpad for an acoustic Open Mic at Central Court, Leeds Art Gallery.
Taking place on Saturday 10th of May 2025 from 12pm until 4pm
Whether you’ve performed before or you’re just curious to give it a shot, this is your moment to step up and share in a laid-back, welcoming space. No pressure, just good vibes!
Launchpad Conference 2025 - Leeds
A free day of panels, workshops, presentations and networking for those working in, or aspiring to work in the music industry.
Taking place on 28th of March 2025 at Leeds School of Arts @ Leeds Beckett University City Campus.
Launchpad Careers in Music Q&A in partnership with Discover Creative Careers
Are you aged 11-18, living in Kirklees and looking to learn more about the Music Industry?
Join the Launchpad team and a selection of speakers from the music industry for an insightful discussion on the opportunities available to those looking to get into the Music Industry.
The event will feature introductions from Launchpad and be followed by a Q&A with Chiedu Oraka and Kemmi Gill.
This free event takes place on Tuesday, 25th of March at Conscious Youth, The Corner Hub, 5 Market Walk, Huddersfield, England, HD1 2QA
Launchpad X WYCreate - Music Industry Support: Halifax
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 Halifax and across Yorkshire.
Launchpad X WYCreate - Music Industry Support: Huddersfield
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 Huddersfield and across Yorkshire.
Launchpad X WYCreate - Music Industry Support: Wakefield
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 Wakefield and across West Yorkshire.
WYCreate Launchpad Music Innovators - Music for Media (Online)
Join Ben McAvoy (WMP Studios) & Ed Heaton (4 & North Publishing) for an online workshop on music from media, as part of the WYCreate Launchpad Music Innovators program. Taking place online from 7pm on Tuesday 28th of January 2025.