Parallel Music Conference

The University of Southampton partnered with Southampton Solent University this month to host the rapidly growing Parallel Music Conference, bringing industry leaders to the city and highlighting the South Coast as an emerging hub for music industry talent.

Now in its second year, the Parallel Music Conference took place on 6-7 March, drawing over 300 attendees and an impressive lineup of music industry professionals. Notable speakers included Grammy Award-winning producer Robbie Nelson, Beggars Group’s Ruth Barlow, and Radio X DJ John Kennedy.

This event marked the first large-scale collaboration between the two universities on a music initiative, combining their expertise and resources to create valuable opportunities for students while reinforcing Southampton’s position in the UK music scene.

The University of Southampton’s Careers, Employability, and Student Enterprise team hosted the afternoon sessions on both days at the Sir James Matthews Building and Student Enterprise Junction, located in the City Centre Campus. Working in collaboration with Neil Simpson from the university’s Department of Music, this collaboration ensured Southampton’s students had access to this unique and enriching experience.

Alongside industry talks and guest speakers, Student Enterprise ran its ‘Go Freelance’ masterclass, featuring students and graduates who have successfully built freelancing careers. They shared their experiences, offering insights and inspiration to aspiring freelancers. The sessions concluded with a lively networking event, where like-minded students and industry professionals connected, fostering valuable relationships.

Students and recent graduates can access support through the Freelance pathway of the Student Enterprise Fund, which provides grants of up to £500 to help kickstart their careers. Additionally, students can access ‘Freelancer Club’, a dedicated platform offering online lessons, resources, and mentoring, along with one-to-one mentoring from the Student Enterprise team.

The conference founders, Jamie Ford and Matt Bisgrove, both Southampton Solent University Music Business alumni, have successfully expanded the event since its inception in 2024, tripling the number of speakers and organisations involved. Their vision of establishing Southampton as a creative centre outside London aligns with the University of Southampton’s commitment to regional development and supporting graduates who choose to build careers in the area.

In his welcome address, co-founder Jamie Ford shone a light on why a conference of this kind is so important for the city: “After leaving uni, I thought I would have to live in London to work in music, but that’s not always the case. We’re trying to bring the music industry to Southampton and give everyone a chance to network, while putting a spotlight on all the great things that happen here.”

The event featured numerous music industry professionals alongside alumni from both universities who have established themselves in various sectors of the music business. This mix of established professionals and recent graduates provided current students with diverse perspectives on career paths and opportunities within the industry.

Neil Simpson, Senior Enterprise Fellow, emphasizes the importance of collaboration in fostering career pathways, stating: “Parallel Music Conference is a tangible outcome of a renewed commitment from UoS Music Dept to skills development, professional pathway building, employability, knowledge exchange, and educational enterprise. The collaboration between the UoS Department of Music (FAH) and Student Enterprise and Events (CESE) reflects a broader strategic vision for UoS Music and Student Enterprise initiatives, aligned with the UoS Triple Helix model.

By co-hosting the event at the Sir James Matthews Building, in partnership with Honeymooner Music, Solent University, SoCo Music Project, and other stakeholders from the regional music ecosystem, we have taken a meaningful step toward to supporting career and network development for aspiring music professionals at UoS.”

In addition to hosting their own events and collaborations, Student Enterprise is keen to offer The Student Enterprise Junction as a dynamic venue for collaboration with academic departments, facilitating the connection between theory and entrepreneurial practice. For further details, please reach out to the Student Enterprise team directly at studententerprise@soton.ac.uk