Youth Music has teamed up with Newcastle’s World Headquarters club to launch a new program called The Jump Off. This initiative is aimed at creating sustainable high-profile careers for three “exceptional” DJs between the ages of 18 and 26 from underrepresented backgrounds in dance music. The program lasts for 18 months, during which time participants will be able to leverage the knowledge, creative and professional networks of both Kirkwood and World Headquarters. The three will then have the opportunity to become residents at the club.
In the first stage of The Jump Off, monthly workshops, presentations, and practical sessions will be held by Kirkwood and other influential figures in the industry including distinguished DJs, music producers, promoters, management, PR companies, distributors, agents, publishing companies, and more. In the second stage of the program, the three participants will be given a platform to showcase their talents and will become World Headquarters residents in order to gain the vital experience needed to achieve their DJ careers.
“The Jump Off has resulted from the core belief that technical skills are more accessible than ever before due to things like the internet, social media, free materials on streaming platforms and more,” explains the program’s press release. “However, what many talented young people from certain backgrounds have difficulty accessing are networks which offer peer support, mentorship, high-level industry connections, and the opportunity to be presented via visible and far-reaching platforms.”
Applications are due to open soon, following a consultation period which will be open on The Jump Off’s website. The full application criteria and information about the judging process to select the three participants are TBA, with the intention that the program will officially launch in early 2024. The Jump Off has been designed to address people’s needs directly and provide them with access to extensive knowledge and experience in the field through the World Headquarters club and Man Power’s global presence as a touring DJ and producer.
Gabriel Day, World Headquarters’ programmer, and director said, “If we don’t know the person who the participants need to speak to, then we at least know a person who knows that person. We wanted to try and come up with a route that directly addresses people’s needs, leveraging our contacts and extensive experience in the field.” The core values of The Jump Off are strict, and the program is ultimately intended to equip each participant with the knowledge, network, exposure, and tools to propel their own DJ career
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