Our Creators Have:
Tracked Revenues from 1st Release to 50m Streams
Signed to Leading Live Agent, Paradigm
Premiered Debut Music Videos on Vevo
Landed Syncs on MTV’s Catfish
Negotiated Distribution Deals for Debut Releases
Practical Industry Knowledge and Skills, Built for Music Creators.
If you’re serious about your music, you need to understand the business behind it. This course gives you the foundation every creator needs.
In just three focused weeks, you’ll learn how the industry works, how money flows, and how successful artists turn their music into sustainable careers.
You’ll cover everything from rights and royalties to record deals, publishing, and the key players who make the industry run - so you can make confident decisions and avoid costly mistakes in the future.
By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of the business of music - and the clarity to take your next steps with purpose.
What You'll Walk Away With
Clarity on how the music industry works - a full picture of structures, sectors, and money flows
Knowledge of your rights and royalties - understanding what you own and how income is collected
Insight into distribution and revenue systems - how music moves from creation to monetisation
Confidence around contracts and deals - recognising common agreements and spotting potential red flags
Understanding of the key industry roles - who does what and when artists typically work with them
Perspective on artist growth stages - how careers develop and the decisions artists face along the way
A personalised career roadmap - tailored guidance from your one-to-one session with an industry expert
Don’t Just Take Our Word For It...
Rebekah
Independent Artist
"The learning I received has transformed my outlook on music. I learned more than on any other course, workshop or conference. The programme is taught in a way that is accessible and immediately implementable. I would say do the course – it’s the absolute best value for money."
Course Details
Suitable For:
• Music Creators • Producers • DJs • Songwriters • Other Creatives
Here's Exactly What You'll Learn
Module 1: Understanding the Modern Music Industry as an Artist
Get clear on how the music business really works, and where you fit in.
The music industry can feel like a maze - labels, publishers, managers, streaming, live shows, contracts. This week, we’ll cut through the noise and give you a clear map of how the business operates, showing how artists sit at the centre of it all.
What we’ll cover:
• The Artist in the Music Ecosystem
Understand how artists drive the business and how the industry is structured around them.
• Core Sectors Explained
Learn how recorded music, publishing, live performance, and sync connect and generate income.
• Label Models and Distribution
Explore majors, indies, distributors, and DIY routes available to artists.
• Revenue Streams for Artists
See how money flows from recordings, publishing, live shows, merch, and more.
• Copyright Essentials
Learn what you own, how to protect it, and why it matters.
• Industry Trends
Discover the shifts in technology and culture that are shaping opportunities for artists today.
By the end of this week, you’ll understand how the industry is structured, how money moves, and how artists create value within it.
Module 2: Rights, Royalties, and the Business of Music
Learn how music generates income - and how artists actually get paid.
Behind every stream, download, performance, and sync lies a intricate system of rights and royalties. This week, we’ll break it down so you understand how income flows, how it’s tracked, and the systems that ensure artists are paid fairly.
What we’ll cover:
• Your Rights as an Artist
Explore the rights you create in recordings, publishing, and performance.
• Royalties Explained
Break down performance, mechanical, streaming, sync, and live income in simple terms.
• Collection Societies
Understand how organisations track usage, pay royalties, and why registering is vital.
• Distribution in Context
Learn how digital distribution works and how music reaches platforms and listeners.
• Metadata and ISRCs
See how proper data tagging ensures you don’t miss out on money.
• Common Pitfalls
Avoid the mistakes that cause artists to lose out on income.
By the end of this week, you’ll know how rights and royalties work, and how to make sure your music gets recognised and paid.
Module 3: Deals, Teams, and Building an Artist Career
Understand the agreements and relationships that shape professional artist careers.
Every artist reaches a point where opportunities appear: a manager wants to work with you, a label shows interest, or a promoter offers a deal. This week gives you the knowledge to understand those offers, spot the red flags, and make the choices that fit your goals.
What we’ll cover:
• Common Music Contracts
Get familiar with recording, publishing, management, and live agreements.
• Spotting Red Flags
Learn what to watch out for before signing anything.
• Your Artist Team
Understand the roles of managers, agents, publishers, and lawyers, and when artists usually work with them.
• Independent vs. Signed Routes
Explore the realities of staying independent or signing with a label.
• Branding and Marketing in Context
Recognise why they matter to business success.
• Artist Growth Stages
See how careers typically develop and the key decisions artists face along the way.
By the end of this week, you’ll have the confidence to navigate deals, understand professional roles, and plan your career with clarity.
One-to-One Artist Career Session: Your Questions Answered
Dive deeper into the mechanics of the music business with expert guidance.
The music industry is full of complexity — contracts, royalties, rights, revenue streams, and shifting business models. This private session is your opportunity to ask questions directly, clear up confusion, and get clarity on the parts of the business that matter most to you.
What we’ll cover:
• Industry Structures and Sectors
Get clear on how labels, publishers, managers, and societies fit together and interact.
• Rights and Royalties
Ask specific questions about copyright, neighbouring rights, publishing, and royalty flows.
• Contracts and Deals
Discuss the agreements you’ve encountered or may encounter, and learn what to watch out for.
• Business Challenges
Bring in your own situations or questions and unpack the mechanics behind them.
By the end of this session, you’ll have clarity on the areas of the music business you find most complex, with direct answers tailored to your own questions.
Meet Your Tutor:
Matt Errington
Hi, I’m Matt, one of the founding team here at Xpandr.
I’ve spent over 20 years consulting for major artists, leading international campaigns and tours, writing for global music publications, and advising governments on music education and industry strategy.
My goal with Industry Breakthrough is simple: to cut out the guesswork and give you practical steps that help you grow as a music creator and take control of your career.
"Matt has been able to give his bands a major boost even on an independent budget. It's impressive to see him at work."
Backed by our 100% Confidence Guarantee
Try the first session. If it’s not right for you, let us know within 7 days and we’ll issue a full refund. No small print. No pressure.
Real Students. Real Outcomes.
Camilla
Independent Artist
"I highly recommend it to anyone interested in gaining a more professional and complete understanding of the music industry. I found the structure to be very engaging and thorough. The guidance I've gained on my next steps has been crucial to my confidence and clarity - I feel so inspired and motivated by the knowledge and advice I have gained."
Lacey
Independent Artist
"I could not recommend it enough! Matt is a friendly and incredibly knowledgeable tutor who made a real effort to involve us in his teaching.
I had absolutely 0 experience and understanding of the music industry before the course but I now feel confident enough to start my own career in the industry."
Ben
Music Producer
"As an independent music producer, I found this course really useful. I learnt a huge amount. I feel more confident in working my way through the industry now!
Matt was a great teacher and made the class inclusive, fun and engaging."
Highlights of What You'll Access
Weekly Video Lessons
6 hours of live expert-led sessions with next day, on demand option.
Industry Toolkit
Resources to plan, pitch, and progress in the industry as a music creator.
One-to-One Mentorship
Mentorship designed to move your career forward
Ongoing Support
Ongoing support during and after your course.
Built To Work Your Way:
Live, On Demand, or a Mix of Both
1
Each group is capped at 20 creators, keeping sessions focused, interactive, and high quality. Seats go quickly - once a cohort is full, enrolment closes.
2
3
Stay Connected
Live: Take part in lessons, weekly Q&As, and mentorship sessions in real time.
On-Demand: Watch recordings (within 24 hours) and work in your own time with weekly Q&As and support from expert mentors.
Whichever way you learn, you’ll always be part of your cohort community - to share feedback, swap ideas, collaborate, and grow together.
Learn Live or On-Demand
Join Your Cohort
Your Next Chance to Join
LIMITED SPOTS
FILLING FAST
Industry Breakthrough for Music Creators: Decode the Industry, Own Your Future
Evening Option:
9th Dec to 23rd Dec 2025
Tuesdays | 18:30 to 20:30 (UTC)
Afternoon Option:
5th Feb to 19th Feb 2026
Thursdays | 14:30 to 16:30 (UTC)
Each cohort is capped at 20 participants to keep the experience focused and interactive.
We recommend enrolling early to secure your place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I talk to someone before I join?
Of course! Drop us a message in the chat below, send us an email, schedule a video call or call +44 (0) 207 078 4022. We’re more than happy to help with anything you need.
Will I get a certificate?
Yes! Upon completion, you’ll receive a Certificate of Achievement you can include on your CV, LinkedIn, EPK, or website.
Will I get personal feedback or is this all group-based?
You’ll get both. Each week includes live interactive group teaching, and you’ll also have a one-to-one career session to focus on your own goals.
What exactly will I come out with at the end?
You’ll finish with a clear, practical understanding of how the music business works - from rights and royalties to contracts, industry structures, and revenue streams. You’ll know where artists fit into the bigger picture, how money flows, and what to watch out for in deals. Most importantly, you’ll have the confidence to make informed decisions about your career and a personalised roadmap from your one-to-one session to guide your next steps.
Do I need to have released music already to take this course?
No. You don’t need to have released music already. This course is designed for beginners as well as artists with some experience who want to strengthen their foundations.
Will I learn how to build a team or find a manager?
Yes. You’ll learn how to manage your own career while also knowing when and how to bring in managers, lawyers, or agents.
Is this course only for beginners, or can experienced artists benefit too?
Both. The course is ideal for beginners, but experienced artists use it to strengthen weak spots and organise their careers professionally.
How do I join the live sessions?
All sessions take place in our Virtual Classroom. We’ll send you a unique access link before your session begins.
What if I miss a session or I’m in a different time zone?
You’ll get access to every session replay via our encore system, so you can watch anytime. Plus, we offer flexible session times to suit different schedules and time zones.
What’s your refund policy?
We offer a 7-day no-questions-asked refund from the date of your first session – so you can try it out risk-free.