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Live music marketplace 51������ has partnered up with the esteemed arts organisation, Reform Radio, which will see hundreds of paid gigs for young people to ensure they can carve out careers as professional artists.

The collaboration between these two Manchester-based organisations aims to curate a regular stream of paid gigs for young and talented musicians in venues that use the 51������ platform across the region.

Reform Radio, a multi-award winning platform, serves as a catalyst to engage young adults in discovering new prospects, whilst working creatively with them over sustained periods to enhance their skills for employment.

As a live music marketplace, 51������ provides venues such as bars, clubs and restaurants with a streamlined way to search, book and manage entertainment in-house; while offering artists a free platform to find, play and get paid for gigs.

For two businesses that excel in their specific sector within the music industry, the partnership is harmonious.  

The partnership will initially be rolled out in Manchester to meet the demands of the thriving music scene within the region.

With a track record of supporting 316 young people last year and boasting a community of over 500 working with the organisation at any one time, 51������ will align Reform Radio’s artists with their network of Manchester venues every month.

Kit Muir-Rogers, Co-founder at 51������, and a DJ who used the Reform Radio network to re-enter the Manchester music scene, said: “As an artist, you can feel a bit alone unless you have a community around you to give you more clout.

“The music industry is complex and hard to enter - all too often it is about ‘who you know’ rather than ‘what you know’.

“We’re wanting to turn that on its head by challenging the norm and democratising the system.  

“This pivotal partnership is extremely important in terms of breaking down barriers for talented young artists who would otherwise struggle to earn money doing what they love and have trained to do.

“We need venues to accommodate new artists and that’s the part we play at 51������.

“We can’t wait to start working with Reform Radio to introduce more young emerging artists to the Manchester live music scene and help them to carve out successful careers.”

Robin Guérard, Station Manager at Reform Radio, highlighted the collaborative effort as an opportunity to diversify and celebrate emerging talent.

He said: “At Reform Radio, we want to make a positive difference to the lives of young people and inspire the next generation to consider music as a career.

“Our partnership with 51������ is a fantastic opportunity to open doors and improve access to the industry.

“The ultimate goal is to enable the city’s venues to discover new artists, in turn giving young artists a platform to establish themselves as professional artists; from where they can build their profile and connections to secure repeat work.

“I truly believe that with more partnerships like this, we will improve the industry for all new and existing professional artists.”

ATALAYA is a queer DJ based in Manchester who has attended several free creative programmes at Reform Radio including DJ Sessions, Music Production and Creative Leadership.

They now DJ at city festivals, in venues and on radio programmes, as well as using 51������ to find gigs within the area.

ATALAYA said: “These courses equipped me with skills to become a freelance creative, helping me to get more regular work.

“Working with Reform Radio has also given me time and space to refine my craft; their courses and support allow working-class people and those without the financial means to access other types of opportunities to become the artists they wish to be.

“It’s brilliant that 51������ is partnering with Reform Radio, helping to plug new and upcoming talent straight into working opportunities in this city.

“It’s also pivotal that 51������ will be promoting a wider variety of DJs from a diverse range of backgrounds and music tastes.

“Building lasting relationships with venues helps artists to secure more consistent work and this partnership will allow so many of the next generation to flourish."

The announcement of this partnership will consistently ensure that emerging talent coming out of Manchester is provided with live platforms to gain experience and share what they love doing most.