Adrian Bamford

An entrepreneur with 40 years’ hands-on experience of working in the music & live entertainment industry; as a live audio engineer, sound system designer, sound designer, performing musician, and business operator.

As a teenager I fell in love with music and the live performance of music, and I decided early on that my career was to be conducted in the industry: I became a freelancer in my early twenties and have been in business ever since.
 

A broad skill set and being able to react to change are really important in business, so my career has seen me work as a professional musician, audio engineer, installation engineer, sound designer, technical journalist and in many other capacities. Meanwhile I also had to learn to become a competent and effective business operator. I have run multiple business structures, from sole trader to limited company. I also picked up a Master of Science Degree along the way, which gives me a valuable academic perspective.
 

I’ve seen countless technological leaps forward over the years and, crucially, I’ve made sure to keep on top of any new innovation: you have to keep your skill set current. Over the years I have toured extensively with various live music productions, and I currently tour with a successful theatre show. As always though, behind any enterprise there is a business to be run, so those business skills are as crucial as any others I may have.
 

My advice to any young person looking for a way in to my industry (or indeed any other) is to get yourself involved in whatever capacity you can.

Your talents mean nothing if no one knows you have them - get out there, even as a volunteer, and let the world see what you can do.