UD’S INDUSTRY TAKEOVER 2024 FEATURES COLLABORATIONS WITH BBC MUSIC AND V&A EAST

We’re delighted to share some great news from UD Music, the Island’s resident platform for black music and black music culture.

This week, they’re launching Industry Takeover, a flagship programme by UD to equip young aspiring musicians with the tools they need to navigate the music industry. The takeover is back for its 2024 edition and features an incredible line-up of talks, workshops and live music, as well as some huge collaborations with BBC Music and V&A East, who are soon to be our neighbours at East Bank in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Since its launch in 2009, Industry Takeover has welcomed more than 3,000 young people and helped to develop the careers of executives now working at Universal Music and Apple, as well as artists like Little Simz and Ghetts.

This year’s line-up includes:

• Talks by Radio 1Xtra and BBC Asian Network, educating young artists on how to get their music heard by the world’s biggest broadcaster.
• An interview with the Head of BBC Asian Network, Ahmed Hussain on his journey through the industry.
• In-depth conversations with Jacqueline Springer, curator at V&A East, who will be interviewing two-time Mercury Prize nominee, BERWYN, and leading a conversation between Candice Carty Williams, best-selling writer of Queenie, and prolific hip-hop producers Swindle.
• The first ever live recording of Be Unstoppable, a new podcast by AIM and POWER UP!’s Ben Wynter, featuring industry icon Darcus Beese.
• Talent House “Open Days”, featuring taster workshops, free studio time, and an introduction to UD’s Level 4 music performance, production and technology courses powered by the University of East London.
• Live music, with UD’s own incubator talent on display at UD’s Live Music Showcase.

These events will all be taking place at The Talent House, the Island’s creative hub which also houses East London Dance. Opened in 2022, it aims to equip young, diverse talent in east London to become the next generation of music and dance professions by providing accessible and affordable access to world-class facilities.

The Talent House forms part of the creative community on the Island, also home to the likes of art publishers Phaidon, Institute of Arts in Therapy and Education and a year-long programme of free art exhibitions in partnership with Hypha Studios.

Industry Takeover will be running from the 25-28 September. To check out the full programme and sign up for the free sessions, visit Eventbrite.