Description:
The Founding Editor is the editorial voice of the magazine. You will shape its tone, commission its most important stories, and ensure every issue captures the energy and diversity of the UK live music scene.
Working closely with the Publisher, Sean Adams, and a small founding team, you will oversee the editorial mix, commission major features and cover stories, and build a roster of writers and columnists with deep roots in their genre or scene across the UK.
This is a freelance contract built around the rhythm of magazine production. Some weeks will be quiet. Some will be full-on. We are looking for someone who can work around that, whether alongside other freelance commitments, childcare, touring, or something else entirely.
What You Will Be Doing
- Define and maintain the magazine's editorial vision, tone, and quality standards.
- Commission and edit major features, including the cover story for each issue.
- Oversee the editorial mix across original and licensed content.
- Build a roster of contributors and columnists with deep roots in their genre or scene.
- Collaborate with the Publisher on cover concepts and brand identity.
- Play an active role in shaping the founding team.
What Success Looks Like
- The magazine establishes a distinctive editorial voice that resonates with live music fans across the UK.
- Each issue features compelling cover stories and standout editorial that reflects the breadth and diversity of the UK's live music scene.
- Editorial mix is thoughtfully curated across original and licensed content, delivering an engaging reader experience.
- Contributors and columnists bring authentic perspectives from a wide range of communities and local scenes.
- Every issue meets the magazine's editorial standards and is approved for publication with confidence.
What We Are Looking For
- Proven experience as an editor on a print or digital publication.
- Strong commissioning and developmental editing skills.
- Understanding of the UK independent media landscape.
- Experience working with small, distributed teams.
- A genuine obsession with live music in all its forms.
- Music media experience is an advantage but not a requirement. We are interested in what you have made, not where you studied.