U.S. performing rights body BMI has relaunched its monthly U.K. showcase nights for new and emerging artists, under the name the BMI Sessions.
The well-attended opening gig in the series took place Jan. 17 in a new home for the event, the 229 venue in Great Portland Street in London’s West End.
Last year, the BMI nights at the Borderline club hosted such notable up-and-comers as Maps, Ben’s Brother, Ross Copperman and Joe Lean & the Jing Jang Jong. The most recent show, held in association with Club Fandango, featured performances by headliners Olympian Fall along with Grand Central, Skulls and Skeletons.
“We had an incredible four years at the Borderline that helped us launch the careers of Hard-Fi, the Feeling, Guillemots, Hot Chip and many more,” says Nick Robinson, London-based senior executive, writer/publisher relations at BMI. “Moving this showcase to 229 gives us a greater focus on new talent and aid in nurturing more acts destined to break through over the coming months.”
