Presented by Serious and Black Lives in Music

Serious and Black Lives in Music are proud to announce the second year of the Equaliser Mentorship Programme, supporting emerging live sound engineers from Black and global majority backgrounds. Following a successful first year, the programme returns with expanded opportunities across the Barbican, the Royal Albert Hall, and Britten Pears Arts, all offering paid, hands-on experience within their live sound teams.

Equaliser continues to address long-standing barriers to representation in live sound by providing structured training, long-term mentorship, and access to world-class venues and industry networks.

Successful applicants will partake in a year-round programme where you will have the opportunity to:

• Paid placements with live sound teams at the Barbican, Royal Albert Hall and Britten Pears Arts
• Practical experience in sound engineering, technical setup, and concert production
• Participation in Serious’ Take Five residency (23–27 February 2026) a fully residential programme where the mentee will shadow production staff, support live sound tasks, and mix a final performance
• Mentorship, seminars, panel sessions, and networking across the wider music industry
• Opportunities to work on major events such as the EFG London Jazz Festival

Eligiblity:

• Be based in the UK (nationality not required)
• Be from a Black or global majority background
• Have a minimum of one year’s production or engineering experience
• Be available 23–27 February 2026 for the Take Five residency

Please indicate your availability for these dates in your application.

Applications open 12 December 2025 and close 28 January 2026.