Production day visits

Each year, students across England get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see what goes on backstage at live shows by world-famous artists – at our Production Day Visits.

Led by our Music Industry Liaison Officer, Steve Cheney, this project focuses on the huge importance of backstage and technical staff in bringing a live music event together. By taking groups of students from the Skills Academy’s 20 Founder Colleges backstage at major gigs, these Production Days hope to inspire the next generation of technicians and roadies. They want to demonstrate that not only are these backstage jobs creative, star-studded and a vehicle to travel the country and even the world, they are also stable, long-term, skilled – and in need of new recruits.

Following an autumn of 122 students visiting 13 venues to see the set up on Coldplay, Duran Duran, The Specials, Snow Patrol and Red Hot Chilli Peppers, we will be kicking off the Spring watching the spirit of Pink Floyd being recreated by the world renown Australian Pink Floyd Show. Each group will spend a morning front of house learning about the roles and responsibilities involved in putting together shows on this scale, in the hope that they will gain a clearer understanding of career options in the live music sector.

View schedule of events.

"It was very impressive seeing how smoothly everything ran on day, and how quickly everything gets done. It was great to observe how calm and relaxed workers seemed while undergoing technical roles."

Ben Chick, student - Stratford upon Avon College

“....it was very eye-opening into the way a tour runs......and also very inspirational. I think all of us could see ourselves being part of the operation in the future!"

Lachlan - student, Sussex Downs College

“...really helped with my understanding of the efforts that go into putting on a show of that scale (Red Hot Chili Peppers). I was overwhelmed by how smooth the work flowed despite the large amount of people working around each other and how fast it all came together. Being able to visually see how it works, along with your (Steve’s) commentary, has really opened my eyes.”

Dave Burgess - student, Stratford upon Avon College

“...the thing that blew me away was the sheer scale of everything, I've put on shows (that seem microscopic in comparison) in the past but this was just amazing. It was great to see how all the elements we've been studying at college come together in a real world situation.”

Jake Smith - Student, Stratford-upon-Avon College

“The Production Days make for an excellent opportunity for our learners to gain the useful and necessary skills, and the information and experience of working in a professional Industry environment.”

Hayley Hill – Curriculum Leader Music & Music Technology