11 July 2011
LC Students Stage Side at This Year's Wireless Festival
The National Skills Academy (NSA) working with
industry members Live Nation and Festival Republic, invited music
students from Lewisham College to a 'Stage Side' Production Day at
the Wireless Festival in Hyde Park on 3rd July 2011.
It was a fantastic opportunity to see what goes into creating a
world-class live music experience at one the UK's biggest summer
festivals. Fresh from Glastonbury, Steve Cheney, took the students
on a stage tour to explain the crucial role of backstage staff who
prepare these sets for an audience of up to 150,000 people.
Paul Latham, Head of Live Nation and Chair of the National
Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural said:
'Live Nation are involved in these events to ensure that potential
crew of the future understand the roles and careers available in
this industry. The success of our business - of any business
- depends on having a skilled workforce and these stage side visits
help the students to understand what those skills are.'
Melvin Benn, Head of Festival Republic, commented:
'Festival Republic is responsible for numerous large outdoor
events, such as Glastonbury and the Reading / Leeds Festivals. We
welcome the opportunity for students on music-based courses to
witness the running of the main stage at close quarters. We believe
that by giving them this insight we are helping to develop the
crews of the future.'
The students were then invited to stay and watch the likes of
Grace Jones,The Black Eyed Peas and Pulp perform.
Rob Henry, tutor, commented, "The students thoroughly
enjoyed the experience and were really thrilled about seeing what
they had learned in class being put in to practice on a
professional scale."