Kris Sparrow, a young entrepreneur from Manchester, is one of 500 finalists in a BBC competition and decided to stage a festival as part of the next challenge. He turned to LS-Live Backstage Academy and STS Touring Productions to provide advice, training and production support for the event, which showcased the city's finest unsigned artists and talent.
Said Sparrow, "I love music but I had never organised a festival before and I wanted to do something out of my comfort zone because you have to challenge yourself.
"I'm so grateful to all the sponsors that offered to support me in my mission. The festival production would not have come together without them and their guidance has been invaluable."
LS-Live supplied its 5.5m x 5.5m Mini Stage for the outdoor area at The Rampant Lion pub, which played host to Black Lights, Butterfly Jam (formerly Sub Sub 'Ain't No Love'), Gold Jacks, Jimmy Lynch & Liam Ward, and Brouhaha. The Arc Roof is based on a truss box construction with arches either end, and a canopy supported by cross braces. The stage was also fitted the stage with grey PVC to cover the back and sides, and step units with handrails leading up to the stage at the front and side.
The event was the first in a series of work experience opportunities for students who were about to embark on their Industry practice module on the Foundation Degree in Live Events Production at Backstage Academy in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.
Said Backstage Academy technical director Gareth Welbourn, "On the job experience is absolutely paramount to prepare our FdA students for the live event environment they will be working in once they graduate.
"We have equipped them with all the necessary basic skills and knowledge needed to competently work on festivals and events, and this was the first major opportunity for some of them to put their learning to the test.
"Gaining experience on events like Raw Fest will complement their education and ultimately make them more employable in the future. They did a fantastic job on the day."
FdA student Gareth Edwards said. "One of the main things I've been concentrating on is sound and today we've been able to do the sound mixing for the bands. It's a great opportunity for us to really get involved, it's an excellent event and it really helps everyone out."
The students built the Mini Stage in under three hours, rigged the sound and lighting system for the outdoor stage and indoor DJ den (which featured DJs Mike Richardson (Unity FM), Alex Blaxx (Drop the Mustard), Woody, Scooby Drew and Jut) and mixed the bands throughout the day.
Manchester's STS Touring Productions supplied sound equipment for the event, including a digital mixing desk and PA for the main stage.
(Jim Evans)
