The BBC is looking to help foster the next generation of British music stars and executives with the launch of a new three-day festival dedicated to supporting emerging talent.
Taking place at London’s Tobacco Dock Nov. 8-10, BBC Music Introducing LIVE 18 will combine a day program of industry master classes for people wishing to enter the music industry with a nighttime program of live performances from a yet-to-be-announced lineup of new and established artists.
BBC Radio will broadcast the event live, while featured zones will include an “A&R listening feedback center” for unsigned home-grown acts. Attendees will also be able to hear from a range of “high-profile artists” about their paths to success, as well as pick up practical advice about recording, navigating the digital marketplace, rights and live performance.
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In total, there will be over 100 master classes and interactive sessions featuring over 250 speakers “from all quarters of the music industry,” including all the key British music industry bodies, according to the BBC.
Ticket details and a full program of talks and guests will be announced next month. The event is being produced by Get On Vision (a joint venture between Vision Nine and Get On Music Media) and looks to build on the inaugural success of last year’s BBC Music Introducing Amplify event, which was held at London’s ExCeL venue and was similarly targeted at helping aspiring DJs, artists and musicians break into the industry.
Since its launch in 2007, BBC Music Introducing has helped thousands of unsigned artists reach a wider audience through radio, TV and live showcases, with Florence + the Machine, George Ezra and James Bay just a few of the breakthrough acts it has supported at early stages in their careers.
“Last year’s Amplify event captured the essence of BBC Music Introducing, which has done so much for undiscovered and unsigned musicians over the past 10 years,” said Universal Music U.K. chairman and CEO David Joseph in a statement.
Welcoming the launch of its latest live venture, Joseph said Universal was “proud to support several master classes for the next generation of artists and executives at Amplify and look forward to doing so again at November’s expanded event.”
Those sentiments were echoed across the industry, with U.K. Music CEO Michael Dugher praising BBC Introducing for its “incredible track record for producing great new talent.” BPI chief executive Geoff Taylor said the broadcaster plays “a pivotal role” in nurturing fresh U.K. talent and welcomed “BBC Music’s unwavering commitment to new music discovery.”
“BBC Music Introducing LIVE will be a unique event,” promised BBC Music head of content James Stirling. He said the event would draw on “the passion and experience of the entire U.K. Music Industry” and provide “unrivaled access for those aspiring to make their way in to the business.”
