Cumbrian Music Industry Figure Behind Major Rock Acts Reflects on Career

A woman from Cumbria who played a key role in shaping the British rock and metal scene has opened up about her journey through the music industry.
Julie Weir from Workington has spent more than 30 years working in music and is now a director at Sony Music’s rock and metal label Music for Nations. Her career began after university with a job in a record shop, before moving into label merchandising and artist management. At just 27, she went on to establish her own independent record label, Visible Noise.
The label quickly gained a reputation for supporting emerging British talent.
Through Visible Noise, Weir signed and worked with bands that later achieved international success, including Bring Me The Horizon and Lostprophets, along with several other well known rock acts. She described the thrill of discovering new artists and helping them grow from early live shows to major tours and chart success, during a time when rock music was undergoing rapid change.
However, her career also included difficult periods. Weir spoke about the impact of the Lostprophets scandal, which ultimately contributed to the closure of Visible Noise and brought unwanted attention to those associated with the label. Despite this, she continued to work in the industry, adapting to major shifts such as streaming, social media and changes in how new artists are discovered.
Now based back in Cumbria, Weir remains passionate about supporting new talent and believes her background helped shape her resilience. She continues to encourage young musicians to stay focused, authentic and committed in an industry that is more competitive than ever.