London is home to over 9 million people, and a further 20 million people visit the city every year. This capital city is known for more than just its art, fashion, food, and stunning architecture. In fact, London attracts a plethora of musical talent from all over the globe. Those looking to make it in the music business see London as the perfect hotspot for curating their sound and getting recognized by the industry leaders.
With a thriving music scene, there are endless opportunities to record music, play live gigs, and potentially get a record deal. If you’re an up-and-coming artist and are looking to relocate, here are several reasons why you should choose London.
Lots of Locations to Record
For starting musicians, you need to record music, release it on streaming platforms, and get people talking. Without high-quality music, you can’t expect consumers to give your tracks a second listen. Thankfully, London is home to a wide array of recording studio facilities. While you may dream of recording at Abbey Road Studios, until you’ve got your name out there, there are tons of other exciting establishments you can use to lay down your tracks.
Even if you like the idea of recording music at home, there is a magical element about recording your songs in a proper studio. Not only can it spark creativity, but you can also connect with producers and sound engineers which can help kickstart your career. PIRATE’s London recording studios are open 24/7, meaning you can book a slot for music production, vocal capture, and lots of other services. Their London recording studio is kitted out with professional equipment you can use free of charge. To get the most out of your recording session, make sure you practice regularly in the lead-up, and ensure you have goals in place.
Live Music Capital of Europe
The gig website Songkick conducted a study in 2017 which named London as the live music capital of Europe. With a staggering 19,940 shows played in 2017 alone, it’s easy to see why thousands of aspiring musicians from all over the world descend on London for a chance of making it big.
London has an extensive list of live music venues, meaning regardless of what genre interests you most, there is sure to be a stage for you to get on and play your tracks. Sure, you may have to play at tiny bars and clubs in the beginning, but as you gain experience and grow your fanbase, you may be asked to perform at festivals and bigger venues.
Global Music Industry Hub
When it comes to the shakers and movers of the music industry, they all have a stake in the capital. In 2019 alone, the music industry contributed an astonishing £5.8 billion to the UK economy. There has been a wide selection of record labels that originated from London, such as Ministry of Sound, EMI, and XL Recordings (with Adele most famously on their roster).
With an array of giant music organizations being part of the fabric of London, there is always the chance that talent scouts may be in the crowd watching your every move and potentially signing you up to be the next best thing. Also, the capital is a global hub for music tech. While lots of record labels base their headquarters in London, so do some of the huge music tech companies. These include Amazon, Spotify, and Deezer.
Rich Musical Heritage
Whether you’ve been to London before on a trip or it’s your first time in the big smoke, wherever you look, there is so much rich music history to check out and enjoy. What you may not know is some of the most wonderful music genres in history have originated on the streets of London. These include Britpop in the 1990s, the New Romantics of the 1980s, and the birth of punk in Chelsea back in the 1970s. Also, there are a variety of world-famous bands that have close associations with London, such as The Clash, The Rolling Stones, and The Spice Girls.
As a music lover as well as an artist, there are landmarks and attractions you must check out during your time in the capital. These include the Hamiman Museum, The Musical Museum, and the Royal Academy of Music Museum.
Networking Opportunities
For those moving to London from overseas, the idea of being in a big city on your own can be frightening. However, you need to remember that there will be thousands of aspiring musicians like yourself making their way around the capital. This means there are plenty of opportunities to network with people who share the same passions and ideas as you. When you make connections with other musicians, this can come in handy when you’re trying to further your career. For instance, if you’re a solo artist and like the idea of being in a band, you can find band members in and around London who can jump on board and turn your ideas into a successful career.
As well as making friends with other artists, there are music industry events you can attend that can give you chance to mingle with label heads. These include the Live Music Business Awards, Live UK Summit, and the British Music Experience. To get your name out there, you need to be consistent and learn how to network. For many of the big stars of today, their big break came when they least expected it, so make sure to put yourself out there.
If you’re a budding musician and are serious about making it big, there is no better destination than London which will give you tons of inspiration and help you become the best musician you can be.
Before you land in the capital, make sure you have goals in place, find suitable accommodation, and make connections with other artists to help you get the best experience and be on your way to becoming a successful musician.
