UCLan music graduate to perform on iconic TV show

A Preston graduate will realise a dream come true when he appears with his band on an iconic music show.
UCLan graduate Liam Ogburn, who is the bass player in Working Men’s Club.
Photo  by Piran AstonUCLan graduate Liam Ogburn, who is the bass player in Working Men’s Club.
Photo  by Piran Aston
UCLan graduate Liam Ogburn, who is the bass player in Working Men’s Club. Photo by Piran Aston

Liam Ogburn, who graduated from the University of Central Lancashire BA (hons) Music Practice course in 2016, is the bass player in the indie band Working Men’s Club due to appear on BBC Two’s Later … with Jools Holland tomorrow. ( October 30).

Appearing on the stage is something he has "dreamt of forever" and he said: "It feels amazing. It's certainly a milestone as a musician, especially with it being the last remaining dedicated music TV show. I've watched and been inspired by so many bands on Jools Holland so to actually be on it is something else."

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The band's self-titled debut album, made with the help of Arctic Monkeys’ producer Ross Orton, has received rave reviews, including five-stars in the prestigious NME and a four-stars in The Guardian.

Working Men’s Club in the studio.  Photo by Piran AstonWorking Men’s Club in the studio.  Photo by Piran Aston
Working Men’s Club in the studio. Photo by Piran Aston

Before the Covid-19 restrictions, Liam and his three band mates were due to tour with Noel Gallagher. Although their plans had to be radically changed, they refocused and came back with online performances and sold out socially distanced concerts where possible.

Liam, performed at venues across Preston while studying for his degree and said: "Covid has affected our year hugely, more than we could have anticipated. Our debut album’s original release date was early June and was pushed back to October, on top of that a large amount of shows have been cancelled or postponed, including big festival slots, UK and European tours, also some further afield."

After finishing his three-year undergraduate degree, the 25-year-old enrolled on to the MA music industry management course but Working Men’s Club took off before he could finish it.

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But, he said: "UCLan was great for me, the course taught me so much about playing, developing techniques and the business side of the industry. In addition, the people I met not only through the course, but in Preston, have had a huge impact on my life. It's a wonderful city and university. I was really proud of my final piece of work and to be fair the whole experience was memorable.”

Liam still keeps in close contact with the music team at UCLan and was a panel member in a recent video streamed launch event for the Future of Live Music book, which has been written by three UCLan academics and published by Bloomsbury.

Music industry professional, lecturer Tony Rigg, who helped to set up the UCLan’s music industry masters’ programme, said: "Having the opportunity to play Jools Holland is seen as a major milestone to musicians, it’s a real accolade and sign that you have arrived.

"We’re delighted to see Liam and his band are having such success and I’m sure their popularity will continue to grow. He’s still very much in touch with the course and our students are looking forward to more benefit from his insights into the changing industry."

Later … with Jools Holland airs at 10.00pm on Friday, on BBC Two and is available to catch up on the BBC iPlayer.