Now this is an opportunity unlike anything else you'll find in the North.
The Academy of Live Technology is paving the way for a whole new generation of live entertainment and production specialists.
No matter what point you're at in your career, heading down to the Academy at Production Park is an opportunity to learn more about live experiences: there's top-up and short courses for those want to find out more about the industry, degree and master-level courses for those wanting to get the practical experience whilst studying towards a professional qualification and even bespoke training programmes available upon request.
Students are all encouraged to make as many industry connections through work placements throughout their courses, and we're told that there's ample opportunity to jet-set around the globe to work on festivals and arena tours in the UK, Europe and America.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This said, students are often rubbing shoulders, or at least on the same site as internationally-acclaimed names: Production Park is home to two full-size arena spaces that's hired out by artists before they head on tour.
It's all a little hush, hush on the full list of names that hire out the space for a host of privacy reasons, but the public name of artists that have spent time over at Production Park is incredible.
We're talking: One Direction, Beyonce, Jay Z, Kanye West, The Rolling Stones, Little Mix, Arctic Monkeys, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Def Leppard, Elton John, McFly, Meat Loaf, The 1975 - the list is simply endless.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Now you're not going to find this kind of professional-studying environment anywhere else are you?
Based over in South Kirkby, the campus is set on what seems like an unassuming industrial park at first, but walking through the door you'll find a colourful Academy that houses three teaching studio spaces, prev-vis and computer suites, lecture rooms and student breakout spaces as well as a myriad of office, performance and prep spaces shared between students and by artists rehearsing for upcoming events.
There's history in the walls, and just about everywhere you look. The site is decorated with set memorabilia: walls are covered in truck tickets, the breakout spaces feature guitar cases from The Who and a tour print, plus the giant black heart from that BRIT performance from Dave, which sits as a sculpture near the canteen - casually.
This really is the place where people from all ages, walks of life and points of their career can come together to learn more about the creative industries: those already in the know of the stars and new students alike.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Courses
There's four undergraduate courses and six postgraduate courses in total, each specialising in different areas of live entertainment design and production.
Undergraduate level
The degree-level courses are naturally centred around live events, with the option to specialise in either Live Events Production, which features four specialist opportunities to study lighting design and technology, live sound, live visuals and event business, either as a full three-year traditional degree course, two-year FDA course or a one-year top up.
Live Visual Design and Production is all about creating those visual experiences for audiences on a global scale: utilising a combination of gaming platforms, immersive technology like VR and motion tracking and projection over a three-year course to
Stage and Production Management is a degree-level course that covers a wider area of theatre, live music, concerts, touring, sports, corporate events and more.
Postgraduate level
Master of Science qualifications cover either Creative Technologies for Live Events or Virtual Production, each of which has the latest cutting-edge technology available for students to develop event-tech for artists and design-led applications with their own research projects.
Meanwhile, the Master of Art qualifications cover Immersive and Interactive Media Design; Live Event Design and Visual Effects for Live Events, led by industry professionals that help students to find their niche across different sectors of technology, management, design and production.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Short Courses
For those wanting to dip their toes into the world of live events and production, the Academy of Live Technology also runs a range of shorter courses and boot camps across the year.
Running across ten sessions, usually twice a week for five weeks, the Skills Bootcamps courses cover topics like Event Management, Event Production, Stage and Screen Rigging, Virtual Production and Unreal Engine. The Skills Bootcamps are fully funded courses for adults aged 19 and over based in either West Yorkshire or the Hertfordshire region.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
How to apply to the Academy of Live Technology
All courses can be accessed on the Academy of Live Technology website here.
For degree courses, entry requirements vary depending on the course, but sit around 64-104 UCAS points. This said, the Academy of Live Technology stresses that it's not about your grades, but the 'type of person you are' and if you show a willingness and genuine interest in the live experience industry, you'll fit right in.
The UCAS deadline for those looking to enrol in September 2024, the current application is 31 January 2024 at 6pm GMT.
Feature Image - The Hoot Leeds
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Audio North’s Artist of the Month: Cruz | July 2026
July already? We're Cruz-ing through the year. Meet this Northern Indie rock band who've been crowned Audio North's latest Artist of the Month.
Sam, Tom, Jamie and Ethan, better known by band-name Cruz, are well and truly making a name for themselves with a whole host of gig dates scattered throughout the Summer.
Live music lovers are about to become very familiar with the 'Disco Colour Beams' songwriters, as Cruz' Summer schedule includes Isle of Wight Festival, Truck Festival and two Sheffield dates.
The Sheff-based shows are special for the fourpiece as they're hometown shows at both Everywhere At Once Festival and the incredible Tramlines Festival - Congrats lads.
Cruz are feeling the love, as the reason they're heading out to Tramlines is because they were voted the Fans' Pick, and this recognition continues as they've been chosen by Audio North to be our Artist of the Month.
An interview with Cruz | Audio North's Artist of the Month: July
Cruz-ing there way from festival to festival this Summer, the Sheffield band sat down with Audio North to talk Artist of the Month title / Credit: Press Shots (supplied)
For those who don't know, introduce us to Cruz
Tom and Sam were jamming in early 2022 before deciding to start a band while looking for other members, with Ethan and Jamie finding out through friends of friends.
Ahead of their first live gig, Cruz were drummer-less, Ethan's recruitment was lifesaving for the band as he stepped up a week before and never looked back since, four years strong.
How has Sheffield shaped you as a band?
It's such a rich city full of creatives, music-based as well as even broader to art and culture, Sheffield isn't just a city, it's a support system.
When we were starting out we got involved with all the local gig venues, who are always on the lookout to champion upcoming bands, it was so nice.
Do you feel any connection to this city's musical heritage?
Pulp, Arctic Monkeys and Richard Hawley of course, Human League and Def Leppard, the list goes on.
Growing up in Sheffield and going to gigs at The Leadmill was so incredible too.
What have been some of your favourite live shows so far?
Sidney and Matilda is prominent to us because it's where we played our very first headline date. We also supported Overpass, which was our fifth show ever as the band as we know it, then playing our headline in the same room was awesome.
Sam, Tom, Jamie and Ethan, better known as Cruz, are making waves in the Sheffield music scene / Credit: Press Shot (supplied)
If someone wanted to experience the Sheffield music scene, where would you take them?
The Washington does free shows with bands and acoustic sets, making it accessible for everyone. The majority of venues in Sheffield are always hosting gigs.
Kelham Island has a lot of free entry venues too, it's great, getting to watch four or five bands playing out all on one night in this current economy is top tier.
Tramlines and Tramlines Fringe is chaotic in the best way, you never know what to expect but you'll leave with a buzz of energy every single time.
What's some of your favourite songs by these artists?
'Soundcheck Your Soul' by The North they've got so many great tunes, they're an amazing band. Montello's 'Suit and Tie', 'Runaway Instead' The Rosadocs.
Playing out at various festivals across the UK, for this Sheffield act it's Tramlines which is the most important to them / Credit: Press Shot (supplied)
What's your favourite track off your newest EP?
Jamie picked 'Man of the People' quoting it as a 'Proper anthem', 'I Get By' is Ethan's pick, it's a track which has been in the works for a while but now the band have finally cracked the code.
While Sam's favourite song is 'Amsterdam' as it's the most personal to him and it's a chilled out number.
Leeds Festival announce biggest staging and area overhaul in the festival’s 27 year history
Clementine Hall
Leeds Festival introduce five new stages for 2026, making it the biggest overhaul in the festival's history.
Leeds Festival is just around the corner now, but maybe not quite as you know it.
Organisers have announced a completely revamped stage layout that marks the biggest staging and arena overhaul in the festival’s 27 year history.
This year, Leeds Festival will see five new stages take over Bramham Park, each with their own new identities offering an experience never seen before.
Let's break them down...
The Grid
The home of the festival’s main stage, The Grid is where iconic headline moments happen. Expect to witness headliners Charli xcx, Fontaines D.C., Dave, Raye, Florence + The Machine and Chase & Status alongside Sombr, Skepta, Role Model, Loyle Carner, Blossoms, Declan McKenna, Jade, Maisie Peters, Keo and more soundtracking The Grid this year.
Not only that, but Kasabian will be making history as the first ever Thursday night headliner of Leeds Festival.
The Gallery
A brand new stage for 2026, The Gallery is an undercover immersive stage. Innovative LED screen lights and immersive production runs throughout the entire stage.
The Gallery is ready to create iconic moments from Josh Baker, Geese, Kneecap, Skye Newman, Kettama and Holly Humberstone among others.
The Warehouse
The Warehouse is a brand-new purpose-built home for dance music with viewing platforms behind the decks, plus huge screen production welcoming special sets from Skepta b2b Prospa, Hybrid Minds, Hedex, Silva Bumpa and Rossi.
As the name might suggest, for the first-time ever Leeds Festival will have a transformed stage complete with unique chandeliers and draping that plays host to artists who are defining and dominating 2026.
The Ballroom is primed for legendary breakthrough sets from YT, Florence Road, Niko B, Paris Paloma, Bassvictim, Overpass, SPEED, Frost Children, Bleech 9:3, Westside Cowboy, Chloe Qisha, Radio Free Alice, dexter in the newsagent, WHATMORE and Clementine Douglas amongst others.
The Canopy
The Canopy will welcome a new chapter for new music - with a stage dedicated to festival fans’ next favourite artists. It will play host to the likes of Violet Grohl, Villanelle, December 10, Camille Blackman, Kibo, Finessekid, Cruz Beckham and The Breakers and more.
These new stages are joined at Leeds Festival by the return of fan favourites LS23 and Piccadilly Circus, with full programming to be revealed in the coming weeks.
We hope you're just as excited as we are, find out more here. We'll see you on the fields.
Sophie Smith -
24th January 2024 
