Enquire today

01254 457864 hello@actualmusic.co

Be Part of Blackburn's Live Music Future.

What's On Offer.

Performance Opportunities

Support and headline slots at The Bureau, a 60-capacity venue in Blackburn Town Centre, from April to September 2026. Gigs run Thursday through Sunday and are supported by our professional technical delivery team. We’re programming a diverse, genre-spanning line-up that reflects the town’s communities and creates pathways for emerging artists.

Artist Development Workshops.

Free, open-access sessions covering live sound, show-building, recording and streaming, self-promotion, and income generation. Led by industry specialists including producers, managers, and established regional artists. Sessions take place at The Bureau throughout the programme. These sessions are open to all.

The workshop programme is as follows:

  • Session #1: Narrative Development, Marketing Assets & EPKs (with Actual Music)
  • Session #2: Communicating with impact through music & song (with iPAN)
  • Session #3: Producing a High Impact Live Show (with Copilot Productions)
  • Session #4: Developing sustainable careers in music (with Actual Music)
  • Session #5: Traction: getting the most out of your release & gigs (with Actual Music)

The sessions will be held on Thursday evenings, 5.45pm arrival for 6pm start, 7pm finish (commence date TBC).

Sound & Lighting Technician Opportunities.

Hands-on training shadowing experienced technicians across the live music programme. Initial placements are unpaid learning opportunities with the potential to progress into paid work as skills develop. Suitable for anyone interested in building technical production experience in a professional grassroots setting.

Who This Is For

This programme is open to musicians, artists and aspiring music technicians based in Blackburn and the surrounding areas.

We welcome all genres, all experience levels, and all backgrounds. Whether you’re just starting out, developing your craft, or already gigging regularly, there’s a place for you in this programme.

We’re working with community partners including Blackburn College, Blackburn Youth Zone and iPAN to ensure the programme is inclusive, accessible and reflects the diversity of Blackburn’s communities. We’re particularly keen to hear from artists and technicians from underrepresented backgrounds.

If you’re committed to developing your skills, contributing to the local music scene, and being part of something being built with care and ambition, we want to hear from you.

Programme Background.

Blackburn Gigs is a live music and artist development pilot designed to rebuild Blackburn’s grassroots music ecosystem following the loss of key venue infrastructure in recent years.

Running from March to September 2026, the programme is supported by Arts Council England and Blackburn with Darwen Council as part of the town’s cultural regeneration strategy. We’re delivering 30 curated gigs at The Bureau alongside a structured artist development programme supporting 50+ young and emerging musicians.

This programme is about creating sustainable pathways for local talent, re-engaging audiences with live music, and proving that towns like Blackburn deserve long-term investment in grassroots music infrastructure.

The success of this pilot will shape what comes next for Blackburn’s music scene and the wider Cultural Quarter development.

Blackburn Gigs is delivered by Actual Music in partnership with The Bureau Centre of the Arts.

About Actual Music

Actual Music is a Lancashire-based music organisation focused on grassroots live music development and artist support. We work with venues, councils, artists and community partners to create sustainable opportunities for emerging musicians and rebuild local music infrastructure.

Founder Jamie Turner is a board member of Lancashire Music Association, guest lecturer at RNCM and director of education not-for-profit SoMi Academy CIC. We’ve successfully delivered Arts Council England-funded programmes across Lancashire, with a track record of high-quality delivery and exceptional evaluation outcomes. Our sister organisation Musique is one of the leading live music suppliers for events across the North-West. 

Our approach combines professional-level programming with community engagement, working to create meaningful pathways between education and established professional practice.

Apply Now

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name
I'm interested in:

Connect with us

Questions?

If you have any questions about the programme or the application process, email hello@actualmusic.co

For more information about Blackburn Gigs, visit blackburngigs.co.uk