As summer turns to autumn the music industry’s attention shifts from the festival circuit to the glut of music conferences taking place across the UK and beyond. Meetings, networking and debate surrounding the key issues are now at the forefront of the industry’s collective conscience.
Which events should you attend?
International and UK events offer different opportunities for participants. British conferences such as the Great Escape or Swn give musicians and songwriters the chance to make new contacts, stay abreast of industry trends and hear the latest buzz bands and artists.
Global showcases like SXSW and CMJ Music Marathon can offer PRS for Music members a decisive foothold in entire new territories - particularly important in the US, the largest of all market places.
PRS for Music Foundation provides support to UK artists looking to reach an international audience through these conferences. Recent Mercury Music Prize nominees Django Django and Sam Lee both benefited from the British Music Abroad (BMA) funding scheme. The former’s funding paid for their appearance at SXSW in Austin in March while folk singer Sam is heading to Womex in Greece thanks to PRS for Music support.
View more further information on PRS for Music Foundation funding opportunities.
M’s conference diary examines the most important upcoming showcases both at home and overseas…
Which events should you attend?
International and UK events offer different opportunities for participants. British conferences such as the Great Escape or Swn give musicians and songwriters the chance to make new contacts, stay abreast of industry trends and hear the latest buzz bands and artists.
Global showcases like SXSW and CMJ Music Marathon can offer PRS for Music members a decisive foothold in entire new territories - particularly important in the US, the largest of all market places.
PRS for Music Foundation provides support to UK artists looking to reach an international audience through these conferences. Recent Mercury Music Prize nominees Django Django and Sam Lee both benefited from the British Music Abroad (BMA) funding scheme. The former’s funding paid for their appearance at SXSW in Austin in March while folk singer Sam is heading to Womex in Greece thanks to PRS for Music support.
View more further information on PRS for Music Foundation funding opportunities.
M’s conference diary examines the most important upcoming showcases both at home and overseas…
9 - 10 October 2012
Since its launch in 2007, the Live UK Summit has become an annual focal point for the live music business. It attracts around 300 companies and individuals, including promoters and festival organisers, booking agents, artist managers and venues.
As the live music business continues to rapidly evolve and expand, this year’s LIVE UK Summit will focus on the entrepreneurs taking the industry to the next level, as well as featuring more keynote speakers, conference panels, forums, Q&As, new media demos and expanded networking opportunities. Jules Parker from PRS for Music will be speaking on a panel at the conference sessions.
Festival organisers, in conjunction with PRS for Music, are offering members discounted passes priced at £205. Visit the LIVE UK Summit website to register as a PRS for Music member and access the discounted rate.
CMJ Music Marathon
16 - 20 October 2012, New York, USA
CMJ in New York is a stereotypically American conference in terms of scale - the supersized event features 1,300 performances and 1,500 showcases including panels, seminars and Q&As all scheduled. In addition, 120,000 music fans are expected to descend on New York during the four-day marathon, making it one of the largest conferences of its type to take place.
CMJ is geared towards the international with acts from across the world showcasing - the likes of GZA, Die! Die! Die!, The Presets and Everything Everything are all on this year’s bill.
The event’s scale seems overwhelming - but doing some homework in advance can make all the difference. By preparing who you’re going to see and who to speak with, you can avoid being swamped by the deluge of music, panels and conversation. This rule of thumb could be applied to all conferences, but particularly these larger events.
16 - 20 October 2012, New York, USA
CMJ in New York is a stereotypically American conference in terms of scale - the supersized event features 1,300 performances and 1,500 showcases including panels, seminars and Q&As all scheduled. In addition, 120,000 music fans are expected to descend on New York during the four-day marathon, making it one of the largest conferences of its type to take place.
CMJ is geared towards the international with acts from across the world showcasing - the likes of GZA, Die! Die! Die!, The Presets and Everything Everything are all on this year’s bill.
The event’s scale seems overwhelming - but doing some homework in advance can make all the difference. By preparing who you’re going to see and who to speak with, you can avoid being swamped by the deluge of music, panels and conversation. This rule of thumb could be applied to all conferences, but particularly these larger events.
18 - 21 October 2012, Cardiff, UK
Swn is a three day festival aimed at showcasing and celebrating the best new music coming in and out of Wales.
Gallows, The Cribs and Django Django are among the big names that played in 2011 while this year’s event will kick off with the unveiling of the winner of the second annual Welsh Music Prize. The 12 nominees for the event were recently announced with Cate Le Bon and Kids in Glass houses leading the charge.
PRS for Music Foundation helps fund Swn in collaboration with government initiative, the Welsh Government’s Major Events Unit. In 2012, PRS for Music Foundation will be at a seminar and provide a presentation on the funding opportunities the organisation offers. Look out for the event.
25 - 26 October 2012, Paris, France
MaMa is a two-day convention offering participants a window into the French music market. PRS for Music members can expect a mixture of live performances and panel discussions at the event as well as the opportunity to network with agents, producers, managers, publishers, labels and promoters from France and the wider global market. The showcase provides PRS for Music members with a platform to showcase their music to a French audience and media.
PRS for Music is an international partner of the event and can offer members a special entry fee rate of €80 (standard price €120) for an all-access two day pass.
You will need to quote promotional code MAMA1285766242 by 5 October 2012 when buying tickets.
Tickets are available from the MaMa website.
View more tips from PRS for Music’s Jules Parker on France’s music industry
9 -12 January, Groningen, Netherlands
Up to 3,000 delegates, 300 showcases and 150 panels and keynote speakers are predicted to descend on Groningen in the Netherlands for the next Eurosonic event in January 2013. PRS for Music will attend, and join in on industry panel sessions.
The conference provides an entrance to the Dutch music business but also attracts industry professionals from across the rest of Europe. Winning one of the national or European awards presented at the conference can be a fast ticket to greater exposure.
A PRS for Music Foundation spokesman said: ‘Eurosonic is a great music industry convention and showcase festival for UK acts wanting to break into the mainland European territories. Many pan-European deals are struck here, and acts can potentially make it onto the hugely influential European Talent Exchange Program (ETEP).’
ETEP is an initiative aimed at promoting acts in new territories by inviting them to play at festivals in foreign countries. Participating in ETEP can help acts extend their networks and their fan base.
View further information about the ETEP
8 -17 March 2013, Austin, Texas
SXSW has reached levels of notoriety that other conferences can only dream of. In 2013, the big daddy of industry events is due to stretch over nine days, with hundreds of acts and delegates expected to attend. The importance of the event in influencing industry taste should not be underestimated. Florence + The Machine and Mumford & Sons are just two of the bands to deliver memorable, career enhancing performances at the event.
It is a key event in the annual calendar for publishers, managers, press companies, artists alike, with strong British music representation.
As a performing artist, you can apply to play at one of the many event showcases. You can apply by heading to the SXSW website. All applications must be submitted by 7 November 2012.
A PRS for Music Foundation spokesperson said: ‘The key to success is to be ready, have your international contacts and interested parties in place, then head there to perform.
‘It can be a very, very costly venture so acts must make sure they’re at the right point in the career trajectory to make it work for them.’
PRS for Music Foundation also hosts its own showcase at the British Music Embassy. Last year’s event saw Frank Turner, Ben Howard and The Staves all perform.
Sound City
2 - 4 May 2013, Liverpool
Liverpool Sound City took residence in the city during its year as Capital of Culture in 2008 and has never looked back. Last year’s line up featured the likes of Chew Lips, White Denim and Jake Bugg while the conference debate focused on new developments surrounding digital music and new markets.
Limited early bird delegate passes are now on sale – these passes allow you access to the conference and Sound City roundtable sessions. They also allow you into the networking events, receptions and access to the entire festival over three days (subject to capacity) for £80 per person. (Full price £200)
Visit the website to purchase early bird delegate passes.
The Great Escape
16 - 18 May 2013, Brighton
The Great Escape has been a growing fixture in the music industry calendar since 2006. 16,000 people attended last year while hotly tipped artists such as Grimes, AlunaGeorge and Alt-J all performed.
PRS for Music members can apply to play free of charge. If you’re looking to attend as a delegate, then you can also take advantage of early bird tickets to guarantee attendance at the panel sessions and networking events.
A PRS for Music Foundation spokesperson, said: ‘The Great Escape is the UK’s largest, and arguably most important music industry showcasing festival. UK and International acts showcase in order to connect with UK promoters, agents and labels. It is also popular with music fans.’
PRS for Music Foundation host their own showcase at the event.
Best of the rest
2 - 4 May 2013, Liverpool
Liverpool Sound City took residence in the city during its year as Capital of Culture in 2008 and has never looked back. Last year’s line up featured the likes of Chew Lips, White Denim and Jake Bugg while the conference debate focused on new developments surrounding digital music and new markets.
Limited early bird delegate passes are now on sale – these passes allow you access to the conference and Sound City roundtable sessions. They also allow you into the networking events, receptions and access to the entire festival over three days (subject to capacity) for £80 per person. (Full price £200)
Visit the website to purchase early bird delegate passes.
The Great Escape
16 - 18 May 2013, Brighton
The Great Escape has been a growing fixture in the music industry calendar since 2006. 16,000 people attended last year while hotly tipped artists such as Grimes, AlunaGeorge and Alt-J all performed.
PRS for Music members can apply to play free of charge. If you’re looking to attend as a delegate, then you can also take advantage of early bird tickets to guarantee attendance at the panel sessions and networking events.
A PRS for Music Foundation spokesperson, said: ‘The Great Escape is the UK’s largest, and arguably most important music industry showcasing festival. UK and International acts showcase in order to connect with UK promoters, agents and labels. It is also popular with music fans.’
PRS for Music Foundation host their own showcase at the event.
Best of the rest
11 - 13 October, Norwich
PRS for Music will be appearing at a panel event at the conference.
