Live Nation UK and Festival Republic have joined forces with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation to create opportunities for young people to access a career in the music industry through internship programmes.
Thanks to the Foundation and its partnerships worldwide, over 15,000 young people have already been supported into work and empowered to reach their potential.
Live Nation UK joins an internationally recognised network of partners aiming to tackle generational inequalities and empower young people to hone their skills, with a big focus on the cultural industries.
Melvin Benn, MD of Festival Republic, said:
“We’re not the singers, the dancers, the band, the performers, but we are the people that enable the performers to do well in front of their fans, and that takes an awful lot of work, and that’s why we need people, and we need good people.
Our customers come from every part of society, and if our workforce doesn’t represent that, we must do better.”
Rio Ferdinand, Founder of the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, added:
“Live Nation UK and Festival Republic speak the same language that we speak as a Foundation; the music industry has youth culture embedded the same as football; there’s such a power behind that; it’s opening young people’s minds and making them understand there’s so many layers to those industries and so many opportunities to be involved.
We can’t all be a singer or a footballer; there are so many people who have a vital role to play, I’m excited for this partnership as it really opens eyes to the depth of opportunities in the industry.
The key word is opportunity, the chance to put your best foot forward. Not everyone is afforded the same opportunity. We need partners like Live Nation UK and Festival Republic to come with us to create these opportunities for the next generation.”
Commenting on the partnership, DJ, presenter and radio host Ellie Prohan, said: “It feels like you are from very different worlds, but the purpose in what you do brings you together to create something quite magical.”
The partnership officially launches at Selhurst Park, Croydon, on 23rd October 2024. Live Nation UK and Festival Republic will join fellow Foundation partners Warner Music and Kiss to deliver an ‘Into the Music’ industry event. This careers event will highlight opportunities in the live music industry and open the door to new training and career opportunities for young people.
