Join us for a special evening with Paul Sexton, acclaimed music journalist, author and broadcaster, as he explores his latest book Rock Goes to College — the definitive, untold story of the UK university gig circuit that launched a generation of legendary artists. With an opening performance by talented singer-songwriter Freya Everest, this one is not to be missed!
In Rock Goes to College, Sexton traces the rise of Britain’s student gig circuit during the late 1960s and 1970s. This grassroots touring network became a proving ground for emerging artists during the explosion of rock music and the album era. As new universities and polytechnics opened across the UK, bands criss-crossed the country in battered vans, playing student unions, honing their sound and chasing the dream of a record deal.
Drawing on extensive original interviews and his unrivalled access to artists and industry figures, Sexton tells remarkable early-career stories of acts including Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Queen, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Genesis, Nick Drake, AC/DC and Dire Straits — as well as the student promoters and social secretaries who booked them, many of whom would go on to shape the modern music industry themselves. The book also reveals how Paul McCartney and Wings returned to this circuit post-Beatles to road-test a new band from the ground up.
Part music history, part social history, Rock Goes to College captures a vital moment when higher education, youth culture and live music collided — shaping careers, communities and the future of British rock.
What to expect
- An in-depth conversation with Paul Sexton on the stories and research behind Rock Goes to College
- Insight into the UK’s university gig circuit and its role in developing iconic artists
- Discussion on music journalism, biography and documenting cultural history
- Audience Q&A
- A live and intimate acoustic performance from Freya Everest
- Book signing opportunity — bring your copy or purchase one on the night
We look forward to welcoming you to The Long Play Sessions for an entertaining, insightful and nostalgia-rich evening uncovering one of the most influential — and least documented — chapters in British music history.
About The Long Play Sessions
This event forms part of The Long Play Sessions, a curated series hosted by ICMP Music School, celebrating influential writers whose work has shaped how we understand music, culture and creative history. Each session brings landmark books to life through live conversation, historical context and deep industry insight.
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