Setting the stage: Highlands biggest 'music gig' where no audience is invited

An Inverness youth music charity has launched innovative training workshops for young people keen to enter the music business, with the backing of the BRIT Trust.
 
The Liam Colgan Music Fund has announced it is launching a series of one-day workshops to provide the opportunity for young people to get practical experience working as sound, lighting and stage technicians at live music events at the biggest ‘music gigs’ to be held in the Highlands where no audiences are invited.
 
The inaugural workshop, called ‘Setting the Stage’, will be held on Saturday 10th June at the Spectrum Centre Theatre in Inverness. It will bring together professional music production companies, an event manager and local artists who will be doing sound checks to provide a real-life environment for this full day mock music event. 
 
Sean Fleming, a trustee of the Liam Colgan Music Fund explaining the day’s programme said: “This is what is different about this training workshop. It will have all the elements of a live gig or concert performance and will be as close to a real event as possible, except there won’t be an audience.”
 
The day’s programme has been designed solely for young people keen on exploring the technical side of live music production. Attendance at this pilot event is free and trainees will learn how to set up sound, lighting and backline equipment on stage and then, under supervision, get hand-on experience using it with bands and artists arriving throughout the day to do sound checks.  
 
Sound checks are essential at concerts and rock shows and take place before the audience comes in for the performance. The musicians set up their instruments, plug in and play a few songs while the sound engineers get the right levels and balance to ensure the sound is clear for the audience out front and in the musicians’ on-stage monitors. 
 
Iain McLaughlln of IMOUT Events, the event manager for ‘Setting the Stage’ said: “This is a great introduction for people who want to get into the world of live events as a technician or event organiser. It’s a fantastic opportunity to work alongside industry professionals in a controlled environment and get a real insight into what’s required.”
 
Iain Clark, Chair of the trustees: “This workshop has been in the pipeline for some time now.  Although we have previously organised projects for young musicians, this is the first time we have focused on those keen to get into the technical side of the music industry. This was one of the Fund’s objectives from the outset and was made possible by a donation from the BRIT Trust.” 
 
“We believe this is an innovative way of giving young people an introduction to the knowledge and skills needed to get into the production side of the live music events industry. It is also possible that these workshops could open up opportunities for participants to secure work with local production companies, some I know, who struggle to recruit local staff to help out at venues, music events and festivals across the Highlands.”
 
The event, which is being supported by the BRIT Trust, Skills Development Scotland and the UHI , Is open to all 16-26 year olds living in the Highlands & Islands.  Places at the workshop on June 10th are strictly limited, so it’s important to apply early for a place by registering online at http://bit.ly/3KtG9FA or on the Fund’s website: www.liamcolganmusicfund.com