A Year to Remember: ALT Highlights from 2025

2025 has been another standout year for the Academy of Live Technology (ALT), with our students once again demonstrating exceptional technical skill, creativity and ambition. From immersive installations and headline-grabbing live events to unforgettable industry experiences, this year has been packed with moments to celebrate.

Here, we look back at just some of the highlights that made 2025 such a remarkable year for ALT.

SXSW

Earlier this year, three ALT students travelled to SXSW to support the British Music Embassy (BME), playing a vital role in delivering more than 50 live performances across two stages over eight high-energy days.

The line-up showcased a wealth of British talent, including Antony Szmierek, Confidence Man, Steam Down and Sam Ryder, creating an electric atmosphere throughout the venue. This year’s programme also championed creativity from the North – something close to our hearts at ALT.

SXSW continues to offer an invaluable opportunity for students to gain real-world experience while immersing themselves in the global live events industry.

ROCK THE WORLD

In 2025, ALT partnered with CAPA on an ambitious international collaboration to deliver a spectacular production of ROCK THE WORLD. While CAPA students took centre stage, ALT’s international students led the technical delivery behind the scenes.

Under the guidance of ALT instructors, students completed an intensive four-week Theatrical Production course, developing the skills required to plan, build and deliver a large-scale theatrical show.

The final production was a huge success, demonstrating the power of collaboration across cultures and highlighting the global nature of the live events industry.

Major Projects

Major Projects remain a cornerstone of the ALT experience, and each year the bar continues to rise. In 2025, students delivered a series of ambitious, industry-standard productions that showcased not only technical excellence, but also creativity, teamwork and resilience.

The headline music project was After Eden Festival — an immersive, multi-genre celebration of sound, nature and technology. Spanning multiple studios on campus, the festival transformed industrial spaces into rich, otherworldly environments, blending raw architecture with organic design.

Alongside this, students delivered GO DARK, a high-octane live esports production built around the intensity of Counter-Strike 2. With a live audience, immersive visuals and an electric atmosphere, the event pushed the boundaries of what an esports experience can be.

Welcoming International Students

This year marked a major milestone for ALT, as we successfully became a licensed sponsor with UKVI. From September 2025, the Academy was able to welcome undergraduate and postgraduate international students to study on campus.

This achievement represents an important step forward in ALT’s journey, expanding our global reach and opening our doors to students from around the world.

Grøn koncert 

Once again, ALT students had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience at the iconic Grøn koncert  international festival. A coach full of students travelled to support the running of the event, working alongside industry professionals in a real festival environment.

Experiences like this remain invaluable, allowing students to apply their skills in live settings while building confidence and industry connections.

Postgraduate Showcases

Our postgraduate students continue to push creative boundaries, and their 2025 showcase was no exception. The event gave the wider ALT community the chance to explore an impressive range of research-led and practice-based projects.

Featuring work from students on the MA Live Event Design and MA Immersive & Interactive Media Design courses, the showcase included immersive concerts, Metahuman experiences, explorations of sleep cycles, and projects blending technology with the natural world. The quality and originality on display was truly inspiring.

Visit from the UK Secretary of State

As the UK Government launched its Creative Industries Sector Vision, ALT was proud to play a central role during a ministerial visit to Production Park.

The visit from MP Lisa Nandy, highlighted how education, industry and innovation can work together to address skills shortages, support emerging talent and build a globally competitive creative cluster in the region.

Student-Led Projects

Beyond the curriculum, ALT students threw themselves into a wide range of self-initiated projects throughout the year. From creating interactive light installations for Lightwaves to building professional-grade studio setups in Studio 001, students brought energy and creativity to every corner of campus.

These projects reflect the passion, curiosity and drive that define the ALT student community, and they continue to be a constant source of inspiration.

Industry Insights and Partnerships

None of this would be possible without the continued support of our industry partners. Throughout 2025, they provided access to cutting-edge software, professional equipment, training and invaluable insight into the live events sector.

This close connection to industry ensures ALT students graduate with the skills, experience and confidence needed to step straight into professional roles.

We’re incredibly proud of everything our students and staff achieved in 2025 — and we can’t wait to see what 2026 has in store.