Eighteen young people have gained valuable hands-on experience in the live music industry after working behind the scenes at this year’s Salt and Tar Music Festival in Bootle.

Students and aspiring event professionals were given the opportunity to work alongside experienced industry figures during the 2026 festival, developing practical skills, making professional connections and exploring potential careers across live events and the creative industries.

Delivered by Sefton Council, the work experience programme formed part of a wider commitment to ensure Salt and Tar creates opportunities for local people beyond bringing major live music acts to Bootle.

Six students from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) completed placements at the festival through Sefton Council’s partnership with the institution.

The students were involved throughout the event delivery process, from planning and building the festival site to live operations and the eventual breakdown.

Placements saw them shadow professionals working in areas including site management, festival operations, artist liaison and site office functions, providing an insight into the range of jobs involved in staging a major music festival.

One of the students, Tilda McGlashan, who was in her first year at LIPA at the time of the festival, said:

“Salt and Tar was just the hands-on industry experience I needed.

“Breaking into the creative industries felt daunting but the incredible team at Salt and Tar and Sefton Council gave me an opportunity to be involved in the whole process from start to finish, learning real-world skills and getting stuck into the work I’ve been trying to do.

“It was a great experience I’ll be carrying into my post-study work, and I have gained skills there that will shape my future career. Many thanks to the whole team.”

A further 12 young people were given work experience opportunities through Salt and Tar’s partnerships with Scrapyard Studios CIC and the Gals Who Gig project.

Participants interested in the technical and production side of live music took on roles including monitor engineer, stage manager and live sound engineer on the festival’s Grassroots Stage.

Some also operated follow spots for the festival’s headline performers, while several were given the opportunity to work front of house for Nile Rodgers.

A spokesperson for Gals Who Gig Liverpool and Scrapyard Studios CIC said:

“We had an absolute ball at Salt & Tar this weekend. Huge thanks to Salt and Tar and Lock and Quay for letting us co-host the grassroots stage with Scrapyard Studios CIC.

“But even bigger thanks for letting us bring along 12 young people who had the opportunity to gain real hands-on live event work experience.

“They tried out roles like monitor engineer, stage manager, live sound engineer, worked follow spots for the headline act each night, and a few even got to work FOH for Nile Rodgers!”

The placements were designed to help participants improve their technical knowledge and confidence while allowing them to build contacts with professionals already working within the sector.

Councillor Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills, said:

“Salt and Tar Music Festival is about bringing world-class live music to Bootle, creating opportunities for local people, supporting skills development and helping the next generation gain valuable experience in the creative and cultural sector.

“The work experience placements delivered through our partnerships with LIPA, Scrapyard Studios CIC and Gals Who Gig are a fantastic example of the social value the festival creates.

“By providing young people with practical, real-world experience and access to industry professionals, we are helping to develop skills, raise aspirations and create pathways into future employment.”

The programme forms part of Sefton Council’s wider ambition to ensure major events in the borough leave a lasting impact, giving local people opportunities to develop the skills, confidence and industry connections needed to pursue careers in the creative and cultural sectors.