YOUNGESTERS in Winsford are being offered a rare chance to learn about the wealth of routes into careers in the music industry.

Edsential’s first Winsford Music Careers Expo will include hands-on activities run by a range of industry experts, including performers, songwriters, teachers, publishers, producers, technicians, and much more.

The event takes place on Saturday, September 14, at Winsford Academy, 10am -5pm, and is totally free to attend.

The day includes a performance and Q&A session with Winsford band,  The Luka State, who will be fresh from main stage gigs at Leeds and Reading Festivals.

The Luka State drummer, Jake Barnabas, who’s also a lead tutor for Edsential in Winsford, said: “The plan is for it not to feel like a careers day at all. 

“Loads of my students know they want a career in music, because it’s their passion, but it can be really difficult to find out exactly what’s open to them.

The Luka State will be performing at the expo, as well as taking part in a Q&A with Winsford's would-be music industry professionalsThe Luka State will be performing at the expo, as well as taking part in a Q&A with Winsford's would-be music industry professionals (Image: The Luka State)

"There’re so many different avenues for them to explore, so we’ve invited all sorts of industry experts so we’ve lots of different musical things going on.

“Some of these guys and girls are a really big deal, so it’s brilliant they’ve agreed to come down Winsford.

“It’ll be a really exciting musical day for people who want to come a learn something about what kinds of careers there are in music nowadays, and what you’ve got to do to make yourself stand out.”  

As well as The Luka State, guest speakers will include Manchester-based producer and songwriter, Josh Noble; music publisher and entrepreneur educator, Jon Eno; and top sound engineer, Al Groves.

There’ll also be a panel of experts from various music courses and colleges around the country, and representatives from firms who make and distribute musical instruments and other kit.

Jake added: “A lot of my students tell me they want to perform, which is wonderful, and they should be encouraged.

“At the same time, I want to make sure they’ve seen behind the curtain and know everything happening on the commercial side.

“There could be a great life for them making guitars, or teaching, or working in a studio as a producer or engineer.

“When I was in school, I thought all you could do was play or teach. The truth is, the guy who does the lighting is probably earning more money than a lot of the bands he’s working with on stage.

“There’s a living to be made in music, and it’d be nice if our passionate youngsters could learn this early on without having to find out the hard way.

"Or worse, give up on their dreams before they've really started."