Mercury Prize
Oct. 30, 2013
The Mercury Prize, the hip alternative to the BRITs (although many argue that it too has become overly commercial), champions 12 albums by overlooked U.K. artists as decided by a panel of industry judges. David Bowie, Arctic Monkeys and James Blake are among this year’s nominees, with a winner to be announced at the Oct. 30 ceremony at North London’s Roundhouse venue. Big sales spikes can result for nominated and winning artists.
Intel: “The timing is perfect in terms of setting up the autumn campaign. The main focus of the Mercury is to shine a spotlight on amazing talent that will otherwise be ignored by mainstream media and with [2012 winner] Alt-J specifically, they helped us really cross over. We wouldn’t have got the play and exposure in the media without it, which then led to getting nominated for three BRIT Awards. None of that would have happened without the spotlight of the Mercury shining on an amazing record.” -Korda Marshall, managing director, Infectious Music
BRIT Awards
Feb. 19, 2014
The tent-pole awards ceremony for the U.K. music industry, the BRIT Awards take place every February at the O2 Arena. Run by U.K. trade group BPI, the prestigious gala showcase airs live on British TV network ITV1 with coverage syndicated to 32 territories worldwide.
Intel: “The BRIT Awards have an unparalleled legacy in the U.K. The awards [are] a powerful showcase, driving album sales and boosting fan bases. [There’s] a meaningful impact on an artist’s long-term career.” -Christian Tattersfield, CEO, Warner Music U.K.; co-chairman, Warner Bros. Records U.K.; chairman, BRIT Awards
Meltdown
June 2014
This year marked the 20th anniversary of the annual Meltdown festival, which each summer invites a globally renowned figure to curate a week-long bill of music and art at London’s historic Southbank Centre, adjacent to the River Thames. The 2013 guest director was Yoko Ono, who oversaw a characteristically eclectic program including shows from Iggy & the Stooges, Peaches and Marianne Faithfull.
Intel: “The ethos behind the festival is to explore an individual’s passions, inspirations and what drives them. On Yoko’s Meltdown, we were able to explore the themes that really drive her work around activism, peace, feminism and what the future could look like. The main impetus comes from contemporary music, but the festival has included classical music, spoken word, visual art, performance, theater and literature over the last 20 years.” -Jane Beese, head of contemporary music, Southbank Centre
British Summer Time Hyde Park
July 2014
Debuting this past summer, AEG’s 10-day British Summer Time Hyde Park, Staged in the idyllic environs of central London’s Hyde Park, enjoyed a triumphant launch thanks to concerts by the Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi and Lionel Richie, among others.
Intel: “Year one was a phenomenal success, with over 345,000 people over 10 days, more than 125 acts and [nearly 10,000 square feet] of screens on the Great Oak Stage — the largest ever in Europe at a live event. And with our current plans, 2014 will be even more exciting.” -Jim King, festival director, AEG Live
Wireless
July 2014
Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, Frank Ocean, Calvin Harris and Will.i.am were the headliners at the 2013 sold-out Wireless festival, which ran July 12-14 at the newly opened Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park stadium. Previously held in London’s Hyde Park, the Live Nation-operated event caters to a pop- and R&B-hungry audience, with a daily capacity of approximately 60,000.
Intel: “Wireless has been going for nine years; in the past five we have worked more and more with urban, pop and hip-hop artists, and Wireless is now the premier festival in this market not only in London, but the U.K. Our audience is incredibly fashion-conscious, with over 60% female between 18 and 24 years old.” -Steve Homer, VP of music, Live Nation U.K.
ITunes Festival
September 2014
Also held at the Roundhouse is the month-long iTunes Festival, which offers a rare chance to see A-list stars in an intimate setting. This year’s run was opened by Lady Gaga, who debuted several songs from her forthcoming album, “ARTPOP.” Admission is free, and shows are streamed live globally through the iTunes store.
Intel: “The iTunes Festival is brilliant because it keeps everyone happy. Consumers get to hear and see their favorite acts live for free, either by being there or via the live stream, and it puts the artist and their product right in the iTunes shop window.” -Alec Boateng, A&R director, Atlantic Records U.K.