With four years of experience in the live entertainment industry and two years in her current role, Emily Haigh shares her journey as Live Music Coordinator & Event Manager for Leeds University Union. Emily’s journey is one of creativity, grit, and genuine love for live music. In this spotlight, we catch up with Emily to hear more about how she got her start, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and the impact she hopes to have on the next generation of women in events.
What did you dream of doing when you were younger?
“I’ve always been really creative, and this started when I was really young. I was always found with some crayons and a piece of paper (or a wall!). I always wanted to go into the creative industries, I just wasn’t sure exactly what that would look like. I grew up on a council estate, so for me the main aim was to make it out of the ‘small town mentality’ and make something of myself, I didn’t really care how!”
How did you get started in live entertainment?
“My first ever ‘proper job’ was working in a digital marketing agency whilst at college. Once I gained an offer for University, I dove straight into being a full-time student on a creative industries course. I have always loved live music, and in my first year of University I wanted to go to a music festival but couldn’t afford it. I saw an advertisement for Ticketing Assistants for Leeds Festival, and applied purely because I wanted to go and have fun and make some money doing it. Little did I know, I’d absolutely fall in love with the live music industry during that week. I got my first taste of working in music and from that point onwards, I knew it was something I wanted to pursue. Getting that initial role helped me land a part-time job supervising Leeds’ longest-running club night, Fruity. From that point on, I spent every free moment I had shadowing different types of events, doing voluntary work and learning about the world of event operations. It’s been a rollercoaster of a journey since then!”
Can you share a memorable moment in your career that has had a significant impact on you?
“Every show I have worked on over the last 4 years has taught me something new. One in particular that stands out was when we had Bowling For Soup play in our Refectory last year. The Refectory is the largest of our venues, and we had a complex production that had never been seen before in that venue. It was a long, difficult day with lots of learning curves. I was stood on our balcony, looking over 2100 members of the public all having the absolute best time. That exact moment reminded me why I love events so much, and why I chose to do this job.”
Who has been your biggest mentor in your career and what were some of the most valuable lessons you learned from them?
“A big shout out to my incredible mentor, Liz. I met Liz after winning the Production Futures Event Management & Logistics Newcomer of The Year award in 2023. She has been instrumental in my personal growth and professional development over the years. I have often been told to ‘put my big girl pants on’ and reminded that I am just as valuable as any man in this industry and I bring just as much to the table. Mentorship is really important in this industry, it can be hard to find your place at times and having another woman to talk things through with makes all the difference.”
How would you like to contribute to the evolution of the live entertainment industry and what impact do you hope to leave behind as your legacy?
“The music industry is a difficult one to get into. As a young woman trying to pursue a career in music, it can feel impossible to find a foot in the door or a way to make your mark. I personally try and offer shadowing opportunities within our venues for young women, with some great success stories so far! I’m a mentor for Elevate, and work with other young women in the industry to help them build connections and find a place to start their career. Away from Stylus, I work freelance with Production Futures. Production Futures is an initiative that provides job opportunities for those looking to get into the production industry, and we have multiple events a year showcasing some of the best employers and opportunities. I love working alongside them, and feel as though I’m making a difference. In the future, I hope to be able to provide more paid work for newcomers in music, and be able to nourish all this amazing young talent we have in the industry.”
