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EXPOS & CONFERENCES England’s thriving network of music expos and conferences are hubs for learning, networking and being inspired by the sounds that make England a musical powerhouse. Whether you want to discover the next big act , explore industry trends, or immerse yourself in the beating heart of any scene, these conferences are your gateway to the music world. Beyond The Music Conference, Manchester 9-12 October 2024 As the music and content industry continues to shape and define global culture, it is also facing unprecedented and urgent challenges. In response, Beyond The Music aims to explore, define and tackle those issues to shape the future of the music and content industry and turn the challenges into opportunities to overhaul and advance, to shine a light on exciting new talent and groundbreaking artists from across the world. English Folk Expo 20-22 March 2025 Taking place annually in Manchester’s vibrant Northern Quarter and celebrating tradition and craftsmanship, connecting folk musicians with fans and industry figures alike in a setting that honours the genre’s roots while encouraging its evolution. For more information, see opposite page. Liverpool Sound City, Liverpool 3-4 May 2025 The annual Sound City Music Industry Conference is the UK’s leading independent conference for new music – founded to champion the rich and diverse creative output of the North of England, in particular, but welcoming and celebrating exciting artists and leading executives from all over the world every year. The Great Escape, Brighton 14-17 May 2025 The Great Escape is the festival for new music, showcasing 450 emerging artists from all over the world in 30+ walkable venues across the city and a pop-up festival site on Brighton Beach. It’s the first place to discover your new favourite artist and see them in an intimate setting before they go on to headline major festival stages. SXSW London 2-7 June 2025 Through its multidisciplinary conferences and cultural festivals, SXSW has become a global platform to celebrate new ideas, propelling the careers of innovators and creatives across sectors, from start-up founders to independent artists and filmmakers. After a successful pan-Asian launch in Sydney in 2023, SXSW London means even more creative people from across Europe have the opportunity to come together to explore new possibilities, make unexpected discoveries and shape the future. National Rural Touring Forum, Blackpool 1-30 June 2025 The annual conference for supporting highquality creative experiences for rural audiences with a multi-genre showcase. 44 ROUTES ROUTES.SONGLINES.CO.UK
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In Focus: ENGLISH FOLK EXPO M i k e i n s c o e Despite its undeniable legacy and abiding influence, English folk music lacked a global champion for far too long, a worthy advocate to fly the flag of Albion’s great traditions upon the world stage. Enter, English Folk Expo, founded in 2013, to fill that substantial void. Providing a showcase for homegrown roots and acoustic music, this yearly gathering of the UK and international musical industries focuses on live bookings and the development of careerbuilding relationships for both artists and their teams. In the 12 years since, the English Folk Expo has extended its remit beyond its annual summit, organising other activities and projects under the rubric of their recent Sound Roots rebrand, an umbrella for initiatives such as Manchester Folk (a promotions programme for folk and roots artists across Greater Manchester); the Sound Roots Connect educational networking platform; the Official Folk Albums Chart; a successful Artist Mentoring Programme (helping to further the careers of, among others, Katherine Priddy, Chloe Foy and George Boomsma); and a Promoter Training Programme, offering exciting opportunities for fledgling event organisers. “English folk is in robust health and going from strength to strength, but we can always do more,” suggests Sound Roots’ CEO Tom Besford. “Artists, be proactive. Sign up for our monthly newsletters, where we announce our open calls for various programmes and performance opportunities. Sho case of Flanders (Belgium) artists at English Folk Expo And attend English Folk Expo, which provides a unique, friendly and supportive environment in which to network with key music industry gatekeepers,” Besford continues, before widening his call. “Promotors! Book folk, roots and acoustic artists for your venue and festival stages. They’re providing a link to our national heritage, while taking the music forward, stretching the boundaries of traditional and contemporary folk. Let’s keep building this wonderful, unique scene together.” ROUTES.SONGLINES.CO.UK ROUTES 45

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EXPOS & CONFERENCES

England’s thriving network of music expos and conferences are hubs for learning, networking and being inspired by the sounds that make England a musical powerhouse.

Whether you want to discover the next big act , explore industry trends, or immerse yourself in the beating heart of any scene, these conferences are your gateway to the music world.

Beyond The Music Conference, Manchester 9-12 October 2024 As the music and content industry continues to shape and define global culture, it is also facing unprecedented and urgent challenges. In response, Beyond The Music aims to explore, define and tackle those issues to shape the future of the music and content industry and turn the challenges into opportunities to overhaul and advance, to shine a light on exciting new talent and groundbreaking artists from across the world.

English Folk Expo 20-22 March 2025 Taking place annually in Manchester’s vibrant Northern Quarter and celebrating tradition and craftsmanship, connecting folk musicians with fans and industry figures alike in a setting that honours the genre’s roots while encouraging its evolution. For more information, see opposite page.

Liverpool Sound City, Liverpool 3-4 May 2025 The annual Sound City Music Industry Conference is the UK’s leading independent conference for new music – founded to champion the rich and diverse creative output of the North of England, in particular, but welcoming and celebrating exciting artists and leading executives from all over the world every year.

The Great Escape, Brighton 14-17 May 2025 The Great Escape is the festival for new music, showcasing 450 emerging artists from all over the world in 30+ walkable venues across the city and a pop-up festival site on Brighton Beach. It’s the first place to discover your new favourite artist and see them in an intimate setting before they go on to headline major festival stages.

SXSW London 2-7 June 2025 Through its multidisciplinary conferences and cultural festivals, SXSW has become a global platform to celebrate new ideas, propelling the careers of innovators and creatives across sectors, from start-up founders to independent artists and filmmakers.

After a successful pan-Asian launch in Sydney in 2023, SXSW London means even more creative people from across Europe have the opportunity to come together to explore new possibilities, make unexpected discoveries and shape the future.

National Rural Touring Forum, Blackpool 1-30 June 2025 The annual conference for supporting highquality creative experiences for rural audiences with a multi-genre showcase.

44 ROUTES

ROUTES.SONGLINES.CO.UK

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