Student-led conference creates music industry opportunities at LIPA
Wednesday 03 June 2026
A passion for helping people fulfil their professional potential inspired Beck Macey to set up a music industry conference for fellow students.
The two-day event was organised by the MA Music Industry Management student as part of LIPA’s live music festival, 2ube Xtra.
With eight years’ experience working in the music industry before returning to study, Beck is now training towards a career in music industry education at higher education level. Beck says: “I really want to help people achieve their career goals, and as the festival features the work of Music, Production and Management students, I wanted to create a conference that looked at areas of early employment in the music industry.”
Day one of the conference, Early Career Innovation in the Music Industry, featured speakers from Music Futures, Launchpad, Sound City Festival and Leeds Beckett University.
The second day, Artist Management and Agency Development, welcomed guests from Just Another Music Company, Scruff of the Neck, Make Damn Sure and Ditto.
Beck says the conference gave students valuable opportunities to build industry connections. “I’m really proud of being able to bring together these people to speak to the students and create the framework to make that happen.
“One of the bands we had playing at the event managed to get time with two booking agents they’d been wanting to meet, while our Management students were able to network with Sound City’s Managing Director, Becky Ayers, and were invited to the festival’s industry conference.”
An experienced independent booking agent and production manager, Beck chose LIPA’s MA Music Industry Management course because of its flexibility and personalised approach.
“When I was looking at going back into education, I knew I wanted a programme that allowed me to tailor it to my interests and the MA here is very individualised.
“We all work on projects that are specifically about what we want to do. And everything I’ve created has been exactly what I wanted to do.”
Top photo: Left-to-right, Becky Ayers from Liverpool Sound City with Beck on day one of the conference. All images by Brian Roberts
