Landing a Gig in the London Music Scene: Your Guide to Music Industry Internships
London, a city steeped in musical history from Shakespearean theater to the modern electronic music scene, offers a vibrant landscape for aspiring music industry professionals. Landing an internship in this global hub can be a crucial step towards launching a successful career. This article explores the opportunities, key players, and essential tips for securing a music industry internship in London.
The Allure of London: A Global Music Hub
London has long been one of the world’s most prominent theater hubs, dating back to the days of Shakespeare and the Globe Theater. Today, international music internships in London are some of the most competitive and rewarding experiences an aspiring theater professional can have. It is a vibrant, beautiful, and historic city. The food is so good to try all the local treats.
Why Pursue a Music Internship?
Gaining hands-on experience is crucial for success in all of the creative industries. Internships in music in London offer interns the chance to explore their musical interests and talents, find their niche, and make meaningful connections to inevitably launch a successful career. Graduates with relevant industry experience are hired 3 times quicker than those without.
A Diverse Range of Roles
The music industry is exciting and challenging in equal measure. Sound Engineers and Producers work behind the scenes making the actual beats and sounds for various music productions and soundtracks. Events play a key role in the music world, and they need to be planned and executed on a large scale. Managing an artist is exciting and demanding in equal measure. From private lessons and schools to universities, music teachers can work in a variety of settings. Interns with a passion for music and teaching will thrive in this profession. In an industry filled with diverse individuals and great talents, the opportunities for growth are endless.
Key Players in the London Music Scene
Imagine traveling to London and interning in the music industry with a major record label, music studio, music magazine or entertainment law firm. Several major companies and organizations offer internship programs in London. Here are a few notable examples:
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Universal Music UK
It’s the passionate and dedicated team at Universal Music UK who help make us Britain’s leading music company. From A&R to finance, legal to digital, sales to marketing, Universal Music is the place to grow and develop your career within a truly commercial and innovative business that leads in everything it does. Everyone is welcome to apply for our roles, and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favorable treatment because of gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief, age, marital status, background, pregnancy or caring responsibilities. They also recognise the importance of diversity of thought within their teams and are fully committed to embracing the talents of people with autism, dyslexia, ADHD and other forms of neurocognitive variation. They will always seek to make appropriate adjustments to recruitment, workplaces, and work processes to be fully inclusive to people with different needs and working styles.
Concord
Concord is the independent, worldwide leader in sound recording, music publishing, theatrical performance rights and narrative content. Concord is committed to developing young professionals' careers. They accept applications for paid intern positions every semester. Concord's theatricals, narrative content, and music internship programs allow aspiring entertainment professionals to experience the industry firsthand. They offer various opportunities to learn from a diverse cohort of entertainment and music industry professionals to gain practical experience. Learn from the best in sound engineering, sync licensing, mechanical royalties, performance royalties, and much more! Their ultimate goal is to prepare up-and-coming professionals for entry-level careers in the music and entertainment industry.
Spotify
At Spotify, we’re not just offering internships - we’re building careers. They offer a huge range of opportunities across our business, product and technical teams, and the chance to make a direct impact on how we amplify the voices of creators and inspire and entertain the world. Internship spots are available in multiple locations around the world.
WME Group
WME Group is a global network of businesses that represent the world’s leading talent, intellectual property and brands. WME's Personal Appearances department oversees touring, festival booking, and crossover opportunities for leading musicians across all touring genres. Our musical artists are also behind some of the most iconic songs and scores in film.
fabric
They are looking for a passionate student (must be enrolled in a UK-based further or higher education course) to join fabric’s Marketing team. This internship presents the rare opportunity to gain hands-on work experience in the electronic music industry. Passion for electronic music, an intuitive understanding of our audience, and social media channels is a must.
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The Internship Experience: What to Expect
Stepping into an internship at Spotify is more than just meaningful day-to-day work-it’s like getting VIP access to an experience of growth, connection, and turning up the volume on your potential. Their programs are built around four core pillars that help make your experience hit all the right notes:
Onboarding: Turning Up the Volume on Day One
Before you jump into the beat, they make sure you’re fully tuned and ready to groove. Expect a high-energy introduction to the tools, systems, and knowledge that will help you stay perfectly in sync throughout your internship.
The Spotify Business & Cross-Collaboration: Your Backstage Pass
Ever wondered how all the parts of Spotify come together to create magic? You’ll get a front-row seat to the big projects, bold ideas, and cross-team collabs that keep our company humming. It’s your chance to see their one team in action.
Skill Development: Amping Up Your Superpowers
Your soundtrack will be full of hands-on learning, but they also sprinkle in intentional opportunities to help you level up. Think workshops, experiences, and moments designed to help you remix your skills and expand your range-kind of like adding new tracks to your personal EP.
Social Connection: Finding Your Jam Crew
You’re not just joining a team-you’re joining a worldwide intern community.
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How to Stand Out and Secure Your Dream Internship
Tailor Your Application
Pay close attention to our different program applications and apply to only the ones that you are interested in and that align with your background!
Show Your Passion
Firstly, do your research and let us know why you are interested in Joining the Band!
Highlight Your Unique Perspectives
In addition to your application and resume, tell us your story! Please attach a Word document that answers the following questions (300 total words max): Why are you interested in the role? What are the unique perspectives, abilities, and qualities you would bring to the role? What do you hope to learn? You will submit this document instead of a cover letter and it can be uploaded where the cover letter would have been in the online application.
Eligibility and Application Process
Our program is designed for rising seniors and those within six months of graduation from an undergraduate program, unless otherwise noted.
Recruitment Process
Our process consists of four steps. Online Application: In addition to your application and resume, tell us your story! Please attach a Word document that answers the following questions (300 total words max): Why are you interested in the role? What are the unique perspectives, abilities, and qualities you would bring to the role? What do you hope to learn? You will submit this document instead of a cover letter and it can be uploaded where the cover letter would have been in the online application. Video Interview with a Recruiter: If selected for next steps, you will be contacted by the recruiting team to schedule a video interview via Microsoft Teams. Video Interview with the Hiring Manager: If selected to move forward, you will meet with the hiring manager and potentially 1-2 additional team members. Offer or Decline: If selected for the position, a recruiter will call to extend an offer. If you have not been selected, a recruiter will reach out to let you know.
Benefits Beyond the Resume
Cultural Immersion
Having previously interned in NY I thought I knew what to expect, but culturally England is totally different to the US and being able to experience this firsthand was invaluable.
Personal Growth
Do Something Different! Stand Out! Become Your Best Self! Invest In Your Future!
Networking Opportunities
Exceptional work and networking opportunities, but also lots of downtime to experience the city too.
Support and Resources
Our music internship program sees participants placed with top-tier organizations, to provide you with the best exposure to the wide variety of roles that are represented within the music industry. *Housing and visa support and advice. *24/7 local advisor support while overseas. *Alumni networking and jobseeker advice. Tuition fees are shown in GBP and USD.
Diversity and Inclusion
We support and welcome applicants from all backgrounds, ethnicity, and orientations equally. All applicants that intern in any of our internship partner companies regardless of destination, work in environments where interns can flourish and grow, and where diversity is welcomed. If additional support is required to ensure a full and rewarding experience, please contact our internship advisor team to discuss further. As a small but growing organisation, we recognise that policies and actions should reflect the world that we want to be part of, not just today, but also in the future.
A Student's Perspective
I began my search for a way to work in London in May because I love it so much. I saw an opportunity to come and follow an internship in music industry so I apply. Beatbrdg interns placed me with a music promotion agency that was absolutely perfect for me. I get to work each day and have Fridays off to travel and spend time in the city.
tags: #music #industry #internships #London
