moving music from the margins to the mainstream

20 March 2008

South West Sound 2008
moving music from the margins to the mainstream

The Dartington initiative South West Sound is about to kick-start its 5th annual music convention – positioning itself at the heart of the UK music industry debate, while giving real careers advice and business development opportunities to some of the top music talent in the South West.

Margaret Hodge, Minister for Culture and Creative Industries said: "It's a great help for our musicians that they get the opportunity for networking, advice from experts about training and business possibilities and to hear from top level speakers. Events such as South West Sound offer this and give our musicians the chance to further their careers."

Feargal Sharkey, who sat on the high level steering group that developed ‘Creative Britain’, last month’s government action plan for the creative industries, is the keynote speaker at the South West Sound event – which runs from 23-25 April at the Bristol Fringe (23 April) Bristol Watershed (24 April) and Dartington Hall (25 April).

Feargal who is the current Chief Executive of British Music Rights said, “South West Sound 2008 is an essential event for anyone who wants to develop a really tangible career in the music industry. The conference will benefit all those involved in music through the new links and partnerships that are being forged between the music industry, music educators, investors, funders, filmmakers and designers.”

This year’s South West Sound programme focuses on education, skills, business models and careers. Day 1 in Bristol will feature speakers Feargal Sharkey, Jon Webster (former managing director of Virgin Records) and leading music educator Tim Smith – who was instrumental in the career of Mercury Music winner Dizzee Rascal.

Day 2 at Dartington will explore how regional musicians can maximise their career potential in the South West of England – looking at the pros and cons assocaited with staying west or going east. The Dartington event will culminate with an eagerly anticipated performance from the soon-to-be-supernova Beth Rowley (Oh My Life), the singer-songwriter who brings her incredible jazz and blues voice to the Great Hall on Friday 25 April 2008.

For more information about South West Sound or to book a ticket to the Bristol or Dartington event please visit the website at www.southwestsound.org.uk