The Great Escape 2009
The Great Escape has established itself as the leading event in Europe for showcasing new talent from around the world, aimed at ‘export ready’ bands and Industry Professionals. TGE takes place in Brighton, UK over three days and nights every May with a total attendance of over 10,000 people including 3,000 industry professionals.
The Bristol Music Foundation supports the development of the music industry of Bristol and the South West of England. The BMF connects the South West music scene via the South West Music Forum.
In May 2009 the BMF and the SWMF went to Brighton for the Great Escape.
We held our own mini-convention, Bristol To Brighton, in the Thistle Hotel on Thurs 14th May as part of the main event.
Following talks and meetings in the day (see below) we held a party. Thanks to all those that made the party. We served scrumpy and west country beer, and were one in one out right through. It was good.
We handed out very exclusive, strictly limited, double-gatefold vinyl featuring 20 tracks from the South West. If you didn’t get your copy then write us a nice email as we have a few left.
Young Theo Altieri from Swindon played, together with the Volt from Bath and the ever mighty Phantom Limb from Bristol.
During the day we ran the Bristol To Brighton conference with speakers from the South West and national partners.
Chris Morrison opened the day with a keynote interview with Sean Adams that looked back over his career in artist management and at the current and future state of the industry.
Talks in the morning included a discussion between leading music educators in the South West, Jack Kingslake and Cherelle Grant from Hi Road Studios in Bristol, and George Moorey from Wired in Gloucester, with Simon Collins and Chris McInnes from the BRIT School in Croydon…
The Story of Dubstep…
an introduction to Wittdo and an overview of data analytics and consumer activity within culture and entertainment..
and a talk from Indie Mobile and Hope Music on mobile marketing campaigns in practice and the use of bluetooth technology in capturing live audiences for music sales.
In the afternoon Alison Tickell gave an update on the work of music industry environmental group Julie’s Bicycle
and in a groundbreaking discussion for the Great Escape by the BMF, Sean Adams from Drowned In Sound spoke to Korda Marshall and Chris Morrison about the artist v label relationship and old versus new models in the industry.
It was packed.
We rounded up the day with putting Bristol To Brighton into perspective with a panel discussion on networks in the South West, approaches to sustainable models of music development, and creating links to industry for established and emerging artists in the region.
Speakers included Helen Miah from Swindon Borough Council / Swindon Music Forum, John Empson from Eden Sessions Cornwall, Rob Jones from Somerset County Council / Somerset Music Hub, Ian Rogers from Orange Box Yeovil / Somerset MH, and Matt Booth from the BMF.
A very fine day was had.
A big thanks to Suzy Wheeler and Dorset Music Forum for making it happen. Seen here with Great Escape founder Martin Elborne, and Matt Booth.
And to Steve Cook from Seeker Photography for taking the pics.
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