Bristol Music to host industry event

10:57 | Friday October 30, 2009

Music South West was designed after 90% of respondents to BMF’s Music To Market survey indicated that they were keen for more local networking opportunities. It is being held from November 11 for two days, and will include a host of speakers from different areas of the business including publishing, management, labels, live, digital and production.

“One of our guiding aims is to build deeper links between artists and executives in the South West and those operating elsewhere in the country, and events like Music South West are a fantastic way of achieving this,” says BMF director Matt Booth. “We’ve got a great line-up of speakers in attendance and we’re really excited to be building something new.”

The first day of Music South West is being held in partnership with the Association of Independent Festivals and the National Skills Academy under the banner of Music Live.

“We’re delighted that the National Skills Academy have chosen to partner with the BMF in order to drive forward its research into the areas where training can be improved in the music business,” adds Booth. “This is a real opportunity for the music industry to make its voice heard and we hope that attendees will take every opportunity to do just that.”

The first day’s focus will be on the live business and will feature speakers including Martin Elbourne (Glastonbury/WOMAD/Great Escape), Katrina Larkin (Big Chill), Alison Tickell (Julie’s Bicycle), Rob Challice (CODA), Dom Cooper (We:LIVE), Conal Dodds (Metropolis/V Festivals) and Ben Challis (A Greener Festival).

There will also be a spotlight on the National Skills Academy and new apprenticeship and training programmes for industry. A discussion regarding a new national industry skills conference for 2010 will also be on the agenda.

The second day, Business of Music, will focus on how to build artist-focused businesses. Korda Marshall (Infectious), Geoff Barrow (Invada), Seth Jackson (PIAS/Indie Mobile), Malcolm Buckland (PRS for Music), Ajax Scott (Woodshed Media), Mark Meharry (Music Glue), Sarah Liversedge (BDI Publishing) and James Roberts (Sony) are due to speak on the day.

Tickets for the event are available online at www.bristolmusicfoundation.com/musicsouthwest, and members of the BMF are entitled to discounted tickets.