Nantwich man James Hayward is living the dream touring with headline bands and chart-topping musicians as a freelance stage manager.
And now he’s topped it off by scooping a major music industry award.
The 24-year-old was set on his career path, stage managing for The Specials, Paul Weller and Ocean Colour Scene, by Backstage Academy, the UK’s leading live events university centre.
James graduated in 2016 with a BA Hons degree in Live Events Production and a host of invaluable industry contacts.
And last week, he won the Outstanding Music Academic Partnership (MAP) Graduate Contribution to Music Award 2018.
James first came across Backstage Academy at a UCAS Convention at Manchester’s GMEX and was “wowed” by their extensive portfolio of industry-based placements, projects and contacts.
“I used to do small gigs with friends in my teens and was keen to take it to the next level,” he said.
“What I liked about Backstage Academy was that they offered classroom-based learning mixed with high quality practical experience.
“The course was the best thing I could have done.
“My work experience included joining the audio crew for Muse’s tour in Milan, stage managing at various festivals across the UK and Europe as well as local crewing at random jobs offered to students.
“Every opportunity thrown at me, I took it.”
Since leaving Backstage Academy, he has set up as a freelance stage manager based in Nantwich.
From there he has toured with bands like The Specials and Ocean Colour Scene as well as headline artists like Paul Weller and former Kaiser Chiefs drummer JD Hodgson.
“What I value most out of the time I spent at Backstage Academy is the people I came to know,” added James.
“The lecturers are all people who had worked, or are still active, in the industry and as such were inspiring role models.
“And the people I was studying with are the people I am now either working alongside or want to be working with.
“The contacts I made there are part of my legacy from Backstage Academy.
“It not only teaches all you need to know but they put you in situations working with people at a top level.
“If you show talent, are good at what you do and keen, people will notice and help you out with your career.”
James hopes to follow in the tour directing footsteps of Backstage Academy’s MD Glen Rowe, who is also tour director for Muse.
Glen said: “We are delighted to hear how well James is doing since graduating.
“Creative industries are booming now, contributing £91.8bn to the UK economy and increasing its value by more than 50% in the last five years.
“Working in live events is highly skilled, great fun and can be very well rewarded.
“Employability is an important feature of all our courses and combining academic learning with high value work experience is key to this.”
(Pic: James Hayward – left – working with the audio crew on tour in Italy with Muse)
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