Burnley DJ Matty Robbo launches new project to help aspiring music talent

PHASE Music will support people across Lancashire who want to develop their skills and find opportunities within the music industry.

The project will offer one-to-one mentoring and practical DJ and production support, alongside Q&A sessions with people already working in music.

Matty, who has performed at Beat-Herder Festival on a number of occasions and co-runs Burnley events brand Rework, is now appealing to businesses to back the project as he looks to raise £1,000 in match funding alongside an application for Arts Council support.

He said: “PHASE Music is a development project aimed at helping aspiring DJs, producers and artists build confidence, develop their skills and hopefully create some real opportunities within the industry.

“The plan is to offer things like one-to-one mentoring, DJ support, production lessons and Q&A evenings with people already working in music, or people who fancy having a go at creating better opportunities in music across Lancashire.”

The idea brings together Matty’s experience in music with his work supporting young people.

Alongside years spent DJing and promoting events, he has worked extensively with young people in residential care and has also been involved in community projects.

He added: “A lot of the idea comes from my own background. I’ve spent years DJing, promoting events and working around music, but I’ve also spent a big part of my working life supporting young people in residential care and being involved in community projects.

“PHASE is really about bringing those two sides together.”

Matty is already a familiar name on the Lancashire music scene.

He made his Beat-Herder debut in 2017 and returned to the Ribble Valley festival for a sixth appearance in 2025, playing a 90-minute Friday set in the Fortress.

He also co-founded Rework with fellow DJ Toby Wilson in 2021. The record label and events project has given the pair a platform to support emerging artists in the house and techno scene.

Matty’s interest in music stretches back to childhood. The former Unity College and Thomas Whitham Sixth Form student taught himself piano when he was young and first tried DJing aged 10 while visiting family in California.

He is now hoping PHASE can give other aspiring artists some of the guidance and support which can be difficult to find when starting out.

Businesses which contribute towards the £1,000 match-funding target will be recognised as official PHASE supporters during its initial launch and promoted through the project’s social media channels.

Matty added: “Any contributions would be massively appreciated.

“If you’re a local business and this sounds like something you’d be interested in supporting, give me a shout.”

Matty can be contacted on [email protected], Instagram: phasemusicuk or Facebook: PHASE Music.