BBC RADIO 1 WARMS TO THE INDIES

From THE GEN

Radio 1 has announced that it plans to open up more to the independent sector, offering various programmes to outside producers including a prestigious Saturday night slot.

The station are looking to independent production companies to pitch ideas and presenters for a ‘cutting edge’ new music show, set to be broadcast simultaneously on Radio 1 and 1Xtra on Saturday from 1am-3am.

This decision is part of Radio 1’s wider commissioning strategy, that will see the station opening up more opportunities for independent companies to pitch content for the station.

Ben Cooper, Controller at BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra said: “The exciting new line up of talent that we announced last week should provide programme makers with inspiration for new and creative ideas, and I’m really looking forward to hearing what ideas the indie sector come up with for the brand new show – it’s a completely blank canvas, so a real opportunity for creativity and a fresh approach.”

Various off-peak shows will also be open to pitches early in the New Year, with details announced here.

Passport to Austin – SXSW Music Programme

UK Trade & Investment in Yorkshire and the Humber would like to support the music industry to get the most out of visiting the SXSW conference and festival by providing the Passport to Export mentoring package specifically tailored to meet the needs of newcomers to the SXSW experience.

The package includes a workshop aimed at helping companies to shape their individual plans to create overseas interest and some invaluable contacts and publicity to prepare you for a visit to SXSW in March 2012. The cost of the briefing workshop, research and assistance is £300 + VAT.

If your company is eligible to join the Passport to Austin programme then £1000 of matched funding (50%) will be available to use against your SXSW costs. This could be used towards your pass, flights, accommodation and marketing collateral. You will also have one to one support from a UKTI advisor who has experience of SXSW.

SXSW Strategy Workshop
(January 2012 – exact date TBC)
Presented by Phil Patterson, Music Industry Expert for UKTI. This one day workshop which is part of the Passport to Export Programme is specifically aimed at music at SXSW. We will look at how people have successfully used UKTI in the past, the various things to consider in looking for partnerships and opportunities overseas and an understanding of your objectives in attending the conference. The workshop will include a video conference with Carlo Cavagna who is our US Sector Lead for Creative and Media in the USA and has a wealth of experience in the music industry and of SXSW.

SXSW Preparation, Research & Contacts
(November – February 2012)
Carlo and his team will undertake market research on behalf of the group and provide you with a comprehensive list of relevant contacts in the music industry. His team will also carry out publicity on your behalf and issue press releases prior to the conference in March.

SXSW Conference and Festival
(13th-18th March 2012 – Austin, Texas)
There is plenty to do at SXSW with the conference, festival and networking opportunities, of which we will keep you informed. We will have UKTI staff on hand to help if you need us and you can also use the UKTI exhibition stand as a venue to network and arrange your meetings.

If you would like to participate in the Passport to Austin programme and subsequent delegation to SXSW contact, Jo, who will assess your eligibility and process your application.

Jo Hubbard
Mobile 07500 082589
Email j.hubbard@uktiyorkshire.co.uk

Join Making Music’s campaign to save YLI Music and Drama Service

Join their campaign to save YLI Music and Drama Service.

‘RISKY BUSINESS’ REPORT DOWNLOAD

Posted in by Generator on Wednesday 12th of October 2011

After years of musicians getting knocked back by banks for funds, a new report from Think Tank Demos has suggested that creative industry start-ups are actually less risky than businesses in other sectors.

‘Risky Business’ was published this week and echoes the work of Generator and UK Music by placing the creative industries at the centre of UK growth. Written by Helen Burrows and Kitty Ussher, the report also states that creative industries in the UK are the ‘Cinderella sector’ of the economy, worth 6% of the GDP, which is twice the European average.

The attitude of banks has been to reject music companies as being stereotypically high risk- Chairman of the Music Managers Forum Brian Message has frequently spoken out on the issue, revealing that in 2010, he failed to get a loan from the four big high street banks to fund The Rifles, a band with a commercially proven track record who were selling out large UK venues such as the Roundhouse at the time. It took two years and nine applications to get RBS to put up a loan of £45,000, a quarter of what Message was actually looking for.

This has resulted in criticism of the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) scheme- a £2bn pot backed by theGovernment to supposedly help new musicians and promoters. Figures announced in July this year showed that only two music sector loans had been approved in two years of the scheme.

Blasting away the stereotypical myth that it is difficult to quantify creativity and equate it with cold hard cash, the Demosresearch found better survival rates for new music and creative business start-ups over the first five years than in many other sectors.

A UK Music spokesman said: “The main thing is the report highlights that creative industries are highly adept at managing risk. In other words, even though music companies are hugely entrepreneurial and invest in “unpredictable” products, their longevity is above average.”

‘Risky Business’ contains 16 policy recommendations to Government including that they need to broaden their definition of the creative industries and facilitate greater understanding between the finance and creative sectors.

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT HERE

MUSIC FUTURES – NEWCASTLE – 17/11/11

Music Futures: Newcastle 2011
Thursday 17th November
Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne
10am - 6pm

Music Futures is Generator’s new music business conference bringing together some of the most innovative minds in the music industry to take over Newcastle’s Live Theatre on Thursday 17th November for a full day of debates, discussion and networking.

The day kicks off with a keynote speech from Tony Wadsworth, Chairman of BPI, who will discuss the key themes of his ‘Remake, Remodel’ report for Music Tank. Key themes throughout the day are 'Monetising Everything Except the Music'; 'Marketing Direct to Fans'; 'The Record Label Reboot'; 'Discovering and Developing New Artists'.

Other key guest speakers include:

Shamal Ranasinghe, Topspin
Caroline Elleray, Universal Music Publishing
Paul Brindley, Music Ally
Sean Adams, Drowned in Sound
Nikke Osterback, Atlantic Records
Jon Webster, MMF
Scott Cohen, The Orchard
Julie Weir, Visible Noise
Keith Armstrong, Kitchenware Records
Gary McLarnan, Sparkle Street
Daryl Robinson, MAMA Group

In addition there will be plenty of networking and breakout sessions to meet like-minded businesses and individuals.

Get Plugged In taking bespoke course to the masses

Targeting tour managers, promoters, booking agents, marketers, DIY artists and small-to-medium sized venue owners and operators, this innovative course provides all with a thorough grounding in the business of live music. Today’s best practice will be considered in an open forum, and strategies explored for improving attendances and revenues.

Not only suited to the grassroots/emerging market, exisiting businesses and entrepreneurs gleaned much from this course which educated, informed and inspired all, whether as artists wanting to understand how to work with venues, promoters and booking agents or as to mid-level operators wanting to take their business to the next level.

Check it out HERE

Julie’s Bicycle reach a Higher Rhythm

Julie’s Bicycle a leading organisation working with the creative industries to reduce environmental impacts have produced a case study about Higher Rhythm and their efforts and published this on their website

Focusing on their investment in low power consuming iMacs, the installation of air conducted heating and the recycling of waste, they have made real efforts to reduce our environmental impact over the past years.

Their flagship project of developing our outside broadcast and recording vehicle to use power from high performance batteries and so never having used mains electricity in its 3 years of service, received particular praise.

Wahoo well done you power rangers in Yorkshire, keep pedalling!