Announcements have been made for this year’s Wide Days showcase, which is set to feature a diverse range of artists from across Scotland.
The line up will include seven acts selected for the International Talent Development Programme and four performing at the opening reception.
Supported by Creative Scotland and PRS Foundation, and selected by a panel of 30 music industry and media figures, the artists include BBC Introducing Scotland winner BEMZ, fellow rapper CHEF, Tik-Tokker Callum Bowie and alternative pop artist Katherine Aly. They will be joined by Edinburgh producer, Cyrano, intelligent indie purveyors, Savage Mansion, and dream popsters Swiss Portrait.
The opening reception on Thursday 19 May, is hosted in partnership with the Music Venue Trust charity (which was officially launched at Wide Days in 2014), and will form part of their Revive Live initiative. Performances will come from The Jellyman’s Daughter, Lizzie Reid, Alex Amor and Kapil Seshasayee.
Olaf Furniss, Wide Days founder, said: 'Scotland is experiencing a boom in talent and it’s a privilege to be able to present a snapshot of some great artists. We would like to thank the 140 acts who took the time to apply, our selectors and our partners.'
All live shows are open to the public, with free tickets available for the Friday showcases which begin at the Liquid Room, followed by The Caves, and a limited number of tickets for the Music Venue Trust welcome party now on sale, with 50 percent of profits being donated to the charity. For full details of the artist lineup visit here.
This year’s convention, which is supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland’s Open Project Fund, begins at noon on Thursday 19 May, moving to the Assembly Rooms from its previous venue, Teviot Row House.
In addition, Wide Days will team up with the charity Attitude Is Everything to present a range of talks and presentations, focused on making the music industry more accommodating for disabled artists, professionals and audiences.
Joe Frankland, CEO of PRS Foundation said: 'Wide Days is a hugely important moment in the music industry calendar and we’re proud to be continuing our support for the event and in particular their showcase which each year platforms artists who go on to have impressive careers. We’re very much looking forward to seeing the seven exciting artists performing on this year’s showcase alongside the wider performances and activities that make Wide Days a must attend event.'
Peter Leathem, Chief Executive Officer at PPL, says: 'PPL has been a proud supporter of Wide Days for over ten years. The conference plays an important role in Scottish music, helping local, national and international artists and professionals develop their careers through networking and education, so cementing the country’s reputation for world-class musical output.'
Rich Legate, Artist Development Manager, Attitude Is Everything, says: Our work at Attitude is Everything is delivered best in partnership with our allies and supporters across the music industry. We're therefore delighted to be playing our part in Wide Days 2022, sharing how to remove barriers for Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent fans, artists and professionals.'
Stuart Fleming, Senior Relationship Manger for Scotland and Northern Ireland, PRS for Music, said: 'I’m delighted that PRS for Music is once again partnering with Wide Days in 2022. Continuing our support of their exciting conference and music programme allows us to keep championing some of the most creative and diverse emerging music creators across Scotland.'
Claire Cordeaux, CEO, British Association of Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) says: 'Wide Days know that good health is integral to creative excellence and it is great to see how artist wellbeing has been built into the programme from the start. BAPAM is delighted to bring our clinical expertise and healthy practice knowledge to join Wide Days in supporting artists and professionals in the music industry.'
Tickets and more information can be found here.
