Scottish Reception 'Highlight' At The Great Escape

Scotland’s reception at the UK’s largest music business gathering, The Great Escape, has been hailed a “highlight” after more than 300 delegates signed up to take part. The networking event saw Scottish industry representatives and showcasing artists, networking with leading industry figures from more than 20 countries last Thursday (18 May). 
 
Hosted in Brighton's Old Ship Hotel by Creative Scotland and Born To Be Wide, the company behind the annual Wide Days convention, the reception included whisky tastings in a 400-year-old smugglers’ cellar, traditional Scottish food and music selected by some of the country’s leading promoters.
 
“Wide Days and our Born To Be Wide music-business seminar evenings, have a long track record of bringing the international industry to Scotland,” says the events’ founder, Olaf Furniss. “Our partnership with Creative Scotland provided a fantastic opportunity to build on this work at one of Europe’s key gatherings.”
 
This is echoed by Alan Morrison, Creative Scotland’s head of music.
“It was massively encouraging to see such genuine interest and excitement about the Scottish music scene from all over the world,” he says.
 
The reception, was attended by a broad cross-section of the music-industry, with booking agents, promoters, festivals, managers and export offices particularly well-represented. In addition to delegates from most European countries, there were guests from Australia, New Zealand, North America and Bangladesh.
 
“The reception hosted by Wide Days and Creative Scotland was the highlight at The Great Escape,” says Stephen O’Reilly, head of marketing at leading management company, ie:music. “It was also the most international, so as well as meeting key figures from the Scottish industry, I also had the opportunity to make connections from around the world.”
 
The networking event was part of a large Scottish presence which included official showcases from Be Charlotte, Emme Woods, The Lafontaines, Saint PHNX, Shogun, Spinning Coin, Teen Canteen and The Van T’s. 

Scotland at The Great Escape Festival

Creative Scotland and Born to be Wide will host an international networking reception at this year's Great Escape Festival, allowing Scotland’s music industry and musicians to meet with invited international guests from all areas of the music industry.

Our Wide Days convention, taking place later this week, was previously voted Best Networking Event at The Great Escape.

Eight top Scottish acts - Be Charlotte, Emme Woods, Saint PHNX, Shogun, Spinning Coin, TeenCanteen, The LaFontaines and The Van T’s – will also perform at two Showcasing Scotland concerts supported by Creative Scotland.

The 2017 line-up demonstrates a diverse mix of styles from pop, indie, rock, grime and hip-hop offering up grungy guitars, sparkling synths, sugar-pop harmonies, catchy choruses and raw lyrics.

One of the most important platforms for new music in the world, the festival and music convention (18-20 May) attracts over 3,500 attracts key industry figures on the hunt for new talent, including high-profile festivals looking to book acts, agents, label executives, promoters, and media.

Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative Scotland commented: “Creative Scotland is delighted to be working closely with The Great Escape to present this year’s showcases. Every May, the eyes and ears of the music industry turn towards Brighton, where the festival has become a fantastic springboard to launch emerging talent into European territories and beyond. The Scottish acts on the bill are at the top end of 2017’s ones-to-watch lists and cover an impressive range of styles and genres. This is a partnership that will deliver a tangible boost for music-making in Scotland.”

Michael Lambert, Born To Be Wide, Director commented: “We are delighted to be working with Creative Scotland to present the Scottish networking reception at the Great Escape festival in Brighton. For many acts who have performed at Wide Days, including Fatherson, Honeyblood, Elle Exxe, Be Charlotte and The Van T’s, The Great Escape is the next stop and we are pleased to be able to provide a focal point to connect Scottish musicians and music businesses, with the international industry.”

The Showcasing Scotland concerts, hosted by BBC Radio Scotland’s Vic Galloway, will take place on Thursday 18 May and Friday 19 May at Brighthelm, Brighton:

Thursday 18 May (12:00-16:00), Brighthelm:

12:30: Emme Woods
13:30: The LaFontaines
14:30: The Van T’s
15:30: Be Charlotte

Friday 19 May (12:00-16:00), Brighthelm:

12:15: TeenCanteen
13:15: Saint PHNX
14:15: Shogun
15:15: Spinning Coin

These shows will take place in addition to the artists’ official Great Escape showcases and will offer those attending additional opportunities to see the Scottish artists perform. The Great Escape 2017 will also see performances from Edinburgh’s Callum Beattie: http://callumbeattie.co.uk

Natalie DeLucia set to join panel for Thursday's producer seminar

Natalie DeLucia has been confirmed as a last-minute addition to Thursday’s producer panel, which takes place at Edinburgh’s Electric Circus.

Starting out as a backing singer for Britney Spears, the American-born songwriter has extensive studio experience and now works as a vocal producer with fellow panelist John McLaughlin. Also taking part are Dave Eringa, best known for his work with the Manic Street Preachers, as well as Idlewild guitarist Rod Jones, co-ownder of Leith’s Post Electric Studio. Manager Claire Southwick, who was due to participate, has been forced to cancel.

The discussion will look at a variety of themes including the relationship between producers and artists, the impact of low-cost technology and why it is one of the most male-dominated areas of the music business.

In addition to the topics outlined, the evening will also cover the different career paths into production, including the rise of university and college courses.