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Mark



Route is a Community Interest Company supporting young people from marginalised backgrounds to pursue a career in the music industry by sharing stories, experiences and practical advice from within its numerous fields.



At Route we want to demystify the pathways to revered job roles, highlight the importance of less glamorous but essential ones and make connections easier in an industry that can be notoriously cliquey by accident and design.



We want employers to look outside of their usual frames of reference when it comes to finding and nurturing talented young people. But we also realise that to create change on a large scale takes time and so, while we help facilitate a shift in hiring practices, we also want to make sure that the next generation are equipped with the tools and information needed to get their foot in the door and build a career in music right now.

Route x Roundhouse Rising Festival : Landing A Job In The Music Industry Workshop


Route Fundamentals



︎ We identify barriers to entry through issues primarily related to our own experience of race, gender and class

︎ We amplify the voices of all marginalised communities to show that intersectionality is key to creating impactful change

︎ We highlight alternative ‘routes’ into the music industry and acknowledge that everyone’s career journey is different

︎We educate the next generation about the real workings of the music industry where traditional educational settings often fall short

︎We support employers to look outside of their usual frames of reference when it comes to finding and nurturing talented young people




What we’ve done to support young people so far:


︎︎︎Provided free one-to-one CV guidance to over a hundred 16-25 year olds seeking employment in music through our CV Advice Service.

︎︎︎Host online and in person workshops including: Route x shesaidso : Exploring Alternative Pathways Into Music For Women, Route x Group Therapy event series at The Social, lectures for event management students at BIMM Brighton  and Westminster University

︎︎︎Highlighted pathways into the music industry by sharing stories and advice from industry professionals through our regular In Conversation interviews.

︎︎︎Provided information on support networks, training opportunities, and connecting young people directly to jobs through our jobs board and People, Places & Programmes articles.

︎︎︎Built an ongoing list of resources to help people navigate the industry including mental health services, music unions, charities, financial support, educational courses and music industry directory.


What we’re doing to help the industry diversify:


︎︎︎Facilitating action between venue programmers, promoters and artists to create an ‘anti-racist network’ of music venues with ticketing platform DICE.

 ︎︎︎Providing free entry to live music events to those who ordinarily find affordability to be an impediment through our This Must Be For You Ticket Fund.

︎︎︎Helping employers make their hiring process fairer and more accessible to diverse needs through our Employee Advice Scheme.

︎︎︎Holding gatekeepers accountable by encouraging open and honest dialogue about the ways the industry can change through our panels and conference curation including ; Roundhouse Rising Festival, Wild Paths Festival, Attitude Is Everything : Accessible Employment Guide Launch Event and Focus Wales.


Route x Roundhouse Rising Festival : Landing A Job In The Music Industry Workshop

In 2022 we plan to set up a mentorship and placement scheme designed to educate the next generation about the real workings of the music industry and directly connect them to secure jobs. Alongside this, we’ll consult selected employers on how they can make their hiring practises fairer and more accessible, and provide better support for new starters.

The year will also see us focus on areas outside of London, tackling the issues raised by the so-called ‘Postcode Lottery’ highlighted in Youth Music’s ‘Blueprint For The Future’ report to which we contributed. The pandemic has shown that a decentralisation is possible, with remote working providing an opportunity for employers to look outside the traditional London bubble for workers.



Ways you can help


If you’d like to discuss partnerships or collaborations please get in touch via info@theroute.co

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Every donation goes towards creating opportunities for young people

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