• Young music fans given chance to experience Boiler Room like never before through a series of unique workshops in London and Leeds
  • Culminating in them putting their skills to the test in a one-off gig in each location with surprise headliners
  • Up to 80 places are available through O2’s work experience initiative GoThinkBig for this once-in-a-lifetime work experience opportunity 

 O2 today announces an exciting new partnership with the most comprehensive underground music broadcaster in the world, Boiler Room, to give young Brits the opportunity to take their first steps into the music industry.

O2 has teamed up with the music broadcaster, which has previously hosted the likes of Fatboy Slim, Skrillex and Thom Yorke, to offer young people across the country the chance to work on one of two unique, live-streamed gigs in London or Leeds, via its work experience initiative GoThinkBig.

From today (4th November 2016) young people aged between 18 and 24 can apply at www.gothinkbig.co.uk for up to 80 places on offer. Successful entrants will be picked by a panel of judges to undertake a series of once-in-a-lifetime workshops as Boiler Room opens its doors for the first time ever, culminating in them putting on gigs in a never before used space at O2 Academy Brixton and underground O2 Academy Leeds.

The selected applicants will learn about booking and producing a live show, how to best use social media and market an event, how to broadcast and use live streaming equipment as well as completing a course in content creation and post production. All the skills necessary for success in the increasingly digital music industry.

Following the workshops, a number of participants will get the chance to work closely with a professional counterpart to put on the gigs, which are scheduled to take place at the beginning of December.

The remaining applicants will be given further opportunities to shadow Boiler Room staff on future projects and GoThinkBig will also be making other work experience positions available via its dedicated music page over the next six months.

Steven Appleyard, Chief Business Development Officer at Boiler Room said:

“There is certain mystery surrounding the music industry and how to get into it. Through this programme we want to teach applicants some of the skills we feel are relevant if you want to set up or become a part of a successful music business today.

The Internet in particular has brought transformative changes to the industry, democratising the opportunity and enabling companies like Boiler Room to grow and support artists worldwide. We look forward to sharing some of our own insights and kicking open the doors for the next generation of young people to make their mark”

Bill Eyres, Head of Sustainability at O2 said:

“Music is a hugely popular industry for so many young people, but often it’s hard to get your foot in the door. O2 has a longstanding heritage in this space and we want to show young people that with the right opportunity, drive and determination, they can be successful even in the traditionally tough creative industries.

By combining our unique O2 Academy venues with a hugely successful broadcaster like Boiler Room, this project is a great opportunity for anyone wanting to learn more about the music industry and is one of thousands we offer on GoThinkBig.”

The campaign follows in the footsteps of GoThinkBig’s partnership with Rizzle Kicks in 2013, where 75 young people in the UK were recruited to work on the set of the music video for the band’s hit track Lost Generation. In 2014, GoThinkBig teamed up with Nile Rodgers and Rudimental, seeing 100 young people recruited to remix and re-release CHIC’s classic hit record ‘Le Freak’. In 2015, GoThinkBig teamed up with the BFI to offer young people the chance to create a short film to be shown at the London Film Festival.

For more information on how to apply visit www.gothinkbig.co.uk or follow @GoThinkBig.

A select number of tickets for each of the live streamed gigs will be available to O2 customers via Priority.

Journalists can contact the Virgin Media O2 press office on:
press@virginmediao2.co.uk 01753 565656
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