Savio Issac: From Student Projects to the BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend

An interview with Savio Issac on live sound, saying yes to every opportunity and stepping onto one of the UK’s biggest festival stages

When Savio Issac graduated from SAE, he did not expect his next step to involve the BBC.

“It was a big surprise for me,” he says. “I’d just finished university.”

Not long after graduating from the Audio Production course, Savio found himself working as a live-tech at the BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend, one of the UK’s most high-profile music festivals. The opportunity did not come from a formal application or job listing. It came from the network he had built while studying.

“I was just saying yes to everything,” he says. “Posting my work, getting involved in projects, being part of music communities.”

The opportunity that came from a community

Before moving to the UK, Savio had been part of an online music community. Through it, he met musicians and engineers from around the world. Over time, many of them began following his progress as a student.

When he graduated, one of those engineers reached out. He had been working with the artist Jetta for live performances. The engineer was moving to the United States and needed someone to take over the live setup.

“He just messaged me and asked if I wanted to take over the project,” Savio says. “And I said yes.”

After a remote session demonstrating how he would run the live setup in Ableton, Jetta was convinced.

“She really liked it,” he says. “Then she asked if I wanted to do a BBC Introducing performance at the BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend. .”

Soon after, Savio was travelling with the artist, setting up the performance system and running the technical side of the show.

“My job was to make sure everything worked on stage,” he says. “All the switching, transitions and looping were programmed so she could move freely and just focus on performing.”

Learning by doing

For Savio, the experience was not a sudden leap. It was the result of months of hands-on opportunities during his time at SAE.

One of his earliest experiences was shadowing live sound engineers at Sound City, a major music festival in Liverpool.

“At first, I thought I’d just be watching from the background,” he says. “But it was really hands-on. Everything was happening in front of you, the good and the bad.”

That approach, he says, defined his time at SAE.

“It wasn’t just the academic side. It was the experience. SAE gave me a lot of opportunities outside the classroom.”

From live festivals to online charity streams, he took part in as many projects as possible. Each one added to his confidence and technical ability.

Confidence built in real studios

Access to professional equipment also played a major role in preparing him for high-pressure environments.

“The confidence you get from working with that level of gear is huge,” he says. “When you’re suddenly at something as big as the BBC, you need to feel like you can pull it off.”

Working in studios like those at SAE’s Liverpool campus meant using large-format consoles and complex live setups long before stepping onto a festival stage.

“Words can’t describe how important that is,” he says.

But for Savio, the people mattered just as much as the equipment.

“Most of the staff are still working in the industry,” he says. “So if you get stuck, you can just call them and ask for advice. Someone will always have a solution.”

He points to his live sound lecturer, Tom Parker, as a key influence, both during and after his studies.

“He is like a mentor to me, even outside of class.”

What comes next

Savio is already moving into new projects. He is currently working on an EP with Roukaya, a former SAE student who has built a growing audience as an R&B and soul artist.

“She wants to explore more of the alternative sounds,” he says. “So we’re working on a new EP together, hopefully coming out in July.”

It is another example of the network effect, one SAE student working with another as their careers develop.

The advice: get involved, mess up, learn

Now working as a Campus Support Technician, Savio spends time advising current students. His message is simple.

“Everything is there for you,” he says. “All the studios, all the equipment, all the opportunities.”

What frustrates him most is seeing students hold back.

“You’ve got world-class studios, and some will just want to chill in the back,” he says. “That’s the painful part, because they’re all talented.”

His advice is to step forward, take risks and accept mistakes as part of the process.

“Get yourself out there. Don’t worry about messing up,” he says. “You have to mess up to learn.”

Each mistake becomes an experience. Each experience builds confidence. And that confidence prepares you for bigger opportunities.

“When you get to those bigger stages,” he says, “you’re ready for it.”

Study Audio Production at SAE

If Savio Isaac’s journey into live sound has sparked your interest in working behind the scenes at festivals, concerts and live events, SAE’s Audio Production course offers a structured, hands-on route into the industry.

From building technical skills in professional studios to gaining real experience on live projects, students develop the confidence and practical knowledge needed for today’s audio careers.

TELL ME MORE→