A lad from Pensby has been helping to restart the live music scene again by working with local musicians to put on events to showcase upcoming talent.
With the coronavirus lockdown having a substantial effect on the arts industry, 18-year-old James Jump decided he wanted to do something to help bring it back.
What started out as a music blog written from his bedroom at home has now led him to his dream career in music management.
James told the Globe: “I was bored in lockdown so around April I set up my blog, Tapedeckreviews, and started reviewing vinyl.
“It just sprung me into writing other music reviews and then a few months later I was working with music venues to put on my own gigs,” he added.
During lockdown, James got involved in the promotional and organisational side of his friends live streams which raised £200 for the Red Cross Charity to help NHS workers.
He said: “I just found it really fun contacting people and organising it all but that was before I knew what it was that I wanted to do.”
Despite his love of event planning, James said he had no interest in going to university until he attended an online seminar at his college, Birkenhead Sixth Form, where lecturers from local universities spoke to pupils.
He said: “I had no ambition of doing anything at university until lockdown came around and I began writing reviews on my blog and getting involved in livestreaming music events.
“Originally I was going to go into nursing because I knew I wanted to help people but when I spoke to my form tutor, he told me I could easily work in media.”
James then applied to LIPA to do music management and was accepted to start studying in October this year.
He said: “Within nine months so much had changed. I was so excited when I found out I had been accepted into my dream university.
“I think one of the main reasons I did was because of all the experience and action I had took during lockdown of organising events.”
Overseeing and organising events alongside studying for A-levels sounds challenging for any 18-year-old but for James, he said it was all about the balance.
He said: “I originally thought it was going to be a challenge, but I never sacrificed anything to start it.
“I never had to pick my A-levels over an event email or a zoom meeting. It was all balanced.
“It is a bit scary to think will I sell enough tickets, will people like the event and turn up but they’re all just what ifs.”
James is now set to host his first in person event since lockdown which is taking place at Jimmy’s bar in Liverpool on Wednesday, August 25.
The event will feature three bands from across Merseyside.
James explains how putting on live music events again is important in keeping the industry going.
He said: “The industry has struggled recently, and people don’t realise how important these jobs in the arts are.
“It gives so any people opportunities whether its sound techs, stage people, managers, door staff, people working on the bar - Everyone is in this one big team.
“Live music allows people to have a break from normal life and gives them something to look forward to. Listening to music is one of life’s simplest pleasures.”
Looking to the future, James said he hopes to own his own music bar one day where he can continue his love of event management.
He said: “I feel like my life goal is in the music industry. I think I’ve found what I want to do but I don’t want to box myself in.
“Any opportunity I get in this industry I’m going to take because I love it all whether it’s writing articles, doing podcasts with bands, gig photography or event management.”
To find out more about the event click here.
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