Published: 22 Apr 2016
A series of events to promote the international development of Scottish songwriters, bands and musicians working in traditional, Scots, Gaelic, folk, roots, acoustic and world music, with the aim of securing international touring contracts and record deals will take place throughout Glasgow and Stirling from Sunday 24 April – Thursday 28 April.
The Visit, Showcase Scotland Expo organised by Active Events is offering a platform for eighteen Scottish songwriters, bands and musicians to perform to agents, record labels, festivals and venues from Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, France and Italy.
The music industry delegates will also have the opportunity to network with key members of the Scottish music industry at a dinner & Civic reception and will enjoy performances at St Lukes and Drygate in Glasgow and the Tollbooth Theatre in Stirling from Bella Hardy, Blazin’ Fiddles, Breabach, The Elephant Sessions, Mairearad and Anna, The Paul McKenna Band, Peatbog Faeries, RANT, Ross Ainslie and Jarlath Henderson, RURA, Shooglenifty, Simon Thacker’s Svara-Kanti, Siobhan Miller, Skerryvore, Sorren Maclean, Treacherous Orchestra, Twelfth Day and Yorkston Thorne Khan.
Lisa Whytock, Active Events, said: “The Visit is a bespoke and curated event. Every festival, agent, venue or record label attending has been invited for a reason. For most, it is their first time hearing and seeing the vast talent that we’re so lucky to have on our shores. It’s about introducing them to our musical culture and our fantastic venues ultimately securing overseas performances for our artists, which will sustain and expand their careers professional musicians.”
Ian Smith, Head of Music at Creative Scotland, said: “Scotland has a phenomenal wealth of talent in Scotland in traditional, folk and roots music, from every corner of this country. It is imperative that these musicians are connected to international markets in in order to succeed. The Visit creates an important platform to connect our musicians with new markets. We look forward to welcoming these delegates to Scotland to experience some of the best music Scotland has to offer and connect with the wider Scottish music industry.”
Showcase Scotland Expo is managed by Active Events and expands on events such as Showcase Scotland at Celtic Connections by producing strategic and targeted activities, which assist artists to explore, realise and develop creative potential.
Showcase Scotland Expo is supported by Creative Scotland through Open Project Funding. The Visit is also supported by PRS for Music.
Joseph Frankland from PRS for Music, said: “PRS for Music Foundation is thrilled to support The Visit again in 2016. So many artists have forged crucial links with the international music industry in previous years and we’re particularly excited that many great musicians and songwriters in Scotland are connecting with those in Germany, and others at this year’s event.”
Initiated in 2014 The Visit was produced for the US and Canadian music industry delegates and was hosted in Paisley, the Isle of Mull and Edinburgh, with 20 artists showcasing across the weekend. The 2014 Visit resulted in 7 artists securing agency deals and over 280 individual bookings. In 2015 delegates from France, North of Spain and Benelux were hosted in Paisley, Stirling and Edinburgh and enjoyed a showcase of 18 artists. This resulted in offers of performances for several artists, publishing deals and the band Breabach being the first ever Scottish band to perform last month at Babel Med music festival and conference in Marseille in its 25 year history.
Delegates will also enjoy a bespoke Glasgow Music City Tour around some of the key sites in the city’s musical history. En route to Stirling they will visit the Auchentoshan Distillery and enjoys the spectacular sights of Loch Lomond as well as sampling Scottish cuisine in Callander. Once in Stirling they will enjoy a ghost tour, a visit to Stirling Castle and a whisky tasting masterclass.
ENDS
TRADtv is a web TV channel celebrating contemporary traditional Scottish, Celtic and Gaelic music, arts and culture. Based in Glasgow, the TRADtv crew record live sessions and features all over Scotland including special live streams from some of Scotland’s music interesting, unusual and beautiful places. In a unique partnership, TRADtv teamed up with Showcase Scotland Expo to record exclusive live sessions form the artists showcased at this year’s event. Watch an exclusive stream of live performances from The Visit on TRADtv at 5pm on Monday 2 May.
Showcase Scotland Expo is managed by Active Events who have 25 years experience in the music industry. Showcase Scotland Expo is concerned with opening new markets for the presentation of artists working in the genres of folk, Gaelic and Scots language, traditional, world, acoustic and roots music.
Countries are selected through research in the international markets and the presentation of international showcases along with strategic working relationships with international music industry organisations.
Germany is still a very stable music market and the economy is doing well, in comparison to other European countries. Germany offers bands great opportunities for touring due to the many festivals and the lively club scene. See the full report.
France offers a wide range of folk music festivals to apply to, but acts need to stand out and spend time in the territory in order to break the market. For instance, Irish folk music has managed to break into the French market. See the full report.
Showcase Scotland Expo is governed by a Steering Group of music industry professionals and peers. Members are:
Norah Campbell, Head of Arts British Council Scotland
Craig Corse, Twenty Two Promotions
Ronnie Gurr, Burnsong Scotland
Robert Hicks, Beyond it Promotions and Road to Nowhere records
Gill Maxwell, Scottish Music Information Centre
Jen McGlone, Glow Arts
Carolyn Paterson, Tolbooth Theatre Stirling
Donald Shaw, Capercaillie, Artistic Director Celtic Connections, Vertical Records.
Lesley Shaw, Celtic Connections / freelance – tour manager.
Andy Shearer, Perth Concert Halls.
Lisa Whytock, Active Events
Ian Smith and Brian o’hEadhra of Creative Scotland are observers.
Showcase Scotland Expo is funded by Creative Scotland through Open Project Funding.
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. We enable people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life. We distribute funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery. For further information about Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com. Follow us @creativescots and www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland
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