UK Music hosted two ‘Skills and Schools’ events in Edinburgh on Thursday 21st April. The first was held at Leith Academy with Michelle Thomson MP for Edinburgh West, who spoke of the difficulties she faced as an aspiring musician after studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Glasgow. Songwriter and musician Be Charlotte and Glasgow Kelvin College’s ‘Electric Honey’ label boss, Ken McCluskey gave pupils an invaluable insight into the worlds of songwriting and running a record label.

Later at St Thomas of Aquin’s High School, Michelle Thomson introduced legendary musician and producer Gary Clark who spoke to the extremely talented Edinburgh Schools Rock Ensemble (ESRE) about songwriting and his experience within the industry. Gary has written and produced for The Spice Girls, Delta Goodrem and Skunk Anansie and gave an incredibly inspiring talk to the pupils.