This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Business News Education & Events Top Stories
Billy Bragg and Korda Marshall confirmed for DIY strand at Great Escape, plus focuses on data & discovery and music marketing
By CMU Editorial | Published on Thursday 7 March 2013
Here we go then with another batch of announcements about The Great Escape convention, the UK’s premiere music business conference programmed by the CMU Insights team. And today we announce three of the themed strands that will appear, with a focus on Data & Discovery and Music Marketing, plus the return of the popular DIY strand, which this year will take place on the Saturday of the convention.
The DIY strand, supported by Arts Council England, is specifically aimed at future music industry talent and the grass roots music community, with practical workshops and panels on getting started as an artist, building a buzz for your band, managing an online presence and pursuing careers in the music business.
In addition to that lot, Billy Bragg – who confirmed this week that he’ll be playing his first full UK show with his new band at The Great Escape – will also address the DIY audience, offering advice and encouragement for the next generation of artists and music business talent. Meanwhile Infectious founder Korda Marshall will also appear. A veteran of both the major and independent label system, and one of UK music’s greatest A&Rs, Korda will offer advice for artists looking to form label partnerships, and for those interested in pursuing their own music ventures.
Commenting on his involvement in this strand, Bragg told CMU: “Although I’ve been working in the industry a long time, I have adopted an increasingly DIY approach since my last record, producing my own merchandise and CDs to be made available via my website and at gigs. I’m currently immersed in the process of applying that principle to releasing a proper album. These are exciting times for musicians and I look forward to sharing some of the insights I’ve gathered trying to negotiate the record industry, whilst retaining both my rights and my ability to earn a living”.
While Marshall adds: “Right now is an incredibly exciting time to be a music entrepreneur, with so many of the old business models finally approaching their last breath. There are such a wonderful mix of new and different approaches being tried and tested, capitalising on new methods of income, and the amazing ease of access we now have to the worldwide marketplace. I’m really looking forward to being part of this year’s Great Escape and sharing both my positive and negative experiences of DIY, and explaining how to spot and avoid the many pitfalls that can trip up artists, labels and start ups in the world of independent music”.
The Focus On Data & Discovery strand will look in detail at the ‘discovery services’ being offered and developed by all the leading digital music players: who they are for and how should they work? Meanwhile afternoon sessions will consider some of the ways the music industry is learning to capitalise on the mountain of data now available to it, with case studies of how strategic use of analytics can enhance A&R, marketing and business planning in music.
The Focus On Music Marketing will consider how the music business should be developing and altering its marketing approach for the streaming age: does the twelve week album campaign make any sense in 2013? And are we truly capitalising on the marketing potential of the digital music platforms? Plus experts will discuss the key considerations for artists looking to build their profile in new markets. Details about specific sessions and speakers set to appear in these two strands will be announced soon.
The latest additions are added to the keynote events already announced for this year’s TGE convention, which include Alan Davey, CEO of Arts Council England, launching the brand new Music Industry Talent Development Fund; Stephen Godfroy, co-owner of the Rough Trade shops revealing why he is optimistic about the future of music retail; and leading artist managers Brian Message and Garry Blackburn discussing the exciting deals they have been developing for their acts, with CMU Business Editor and TGE Convention Programmer Chris Cooke.
Delegate passes that get you access to all the panels, conversations, networking sessions and parties that take place at the TGE Convention, plus priority access to The Great Escape festival, are still currently available for the special rate of £145. Go buy!
