"I chose Leeds Conservatoire because of the unique Music Business course that it has. To the best of my knowledge it is the only course of its kind where the music & business are one instead of being a Music degree with Business on the side."
Meet enterprising student Matt Mackay, who is currently in his third year on our BA (Hons) Music Business degree.
When he isn't at the Conservatoire, Matt is busy working in recruitment and putting on gigs with his events company, Bootleg.
We caught up with Matt about his time at Leeds Conservatoire so far, and he shared his advice for prospective students.
Hi Matt - What made you choose Leeds Conservatoire?
I chose Leeds Conservatoire because of the unique Music Business course that it has. To the best of my knowledge it is the only course of its kind where the music & business are one instead of being a Music degree with Business on the side.
What's the coolest thing you've done on your course so far?
The coolest thing I've done on my course so far is learning about copyright law within the music industry as our lecturer made it interesting by showing us examples from the golden age of sampling within old school Hip Hop.
What do you get up to outside of studying?
I have a part-time job in recruitment and I run an events company with another student on my course called Tom.
How did you and Tom form Bootleg? What was the inspiration behind the company?
Tom and I formed Bootleg at a Music Business social just before teaching commenced in 2nd year. Our 1st year at the Conservatoire involved the four walls of our accommodation room and a Zoom account. This meant that I had only met a few of my course mates once before this social I attended.
It was the first time I had properly spoken to Tom and we asked each other what we wanted to get from the course or do with the knowledge it had given us and we both said events company. So we grabbed our own table got one more pint and Bootleg was formed.
What’s your experience been like with putting on events in Leeds?
Tom and I have had a very steep learning curve with our events as at the beginning we had no idea what we were doing but got as much advice from anyone who was willing to give it. At times putting the events on has been tough but now we are starting to get the hang of it and our brand is becoming more known.
How has your course helped you when it comes to music promotion and organising your own events?
I am a 3rd year student and this year I've taken a module called Live Music Management where we choose a group and put on an event and then complete some academic assignments around it.
Did the Conservatoire encourage you to start putting on your own events?
Tom and I have been putting these events on since the beginning of 2nd year on our own accord. The way the years are laid out is designed for you to be doing something entrepreneurial by 3rd year as this year I have a Final Project where we come up with a business idea and go out into the real world and attempt to achieve it.
What was the best piece of advice you’ve had since starting at Leeds Conservatoire?
The best piece of advice has got to be when I asked my 1-1 tutor for some help in acquiring headline artists and how to appropriately speak to booking agents. He proceeded to give me a step by step in depth guide and it's the best help and advice anyone has given me working in this industry to date.
Why should someone study Music Business at Leeds Conservatoire? What advice would you give them?
I can only speak from my own experience here. I chose the conservatoire because I didn't want to study music anymore as I had done so since I was 7 but I very much wanted to be involved within music in some way and Leeds Conservatoire gave me the time and space on this course to work that out. So if you love music but no longer want to directly study an instrument or music theory anymore, Music Business is the place for you.
How would you describe your experience at Leeds Conservatoire so far in three words?
Inclusive. Fun. Developmental.
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