The Great Escape Convention 2015 - Core Focus Strand Announcement

22 January 2015 - Press release

The Great Escape puts UK talent in the spotlight for 10^th anniversary celebration

·         Core focus strands for the 2015 Convention also announced

·         First 150 artists to be announced next week

Returning to Brighton May 14^th-16^th 2015, The Great Escape today announces that it will cast the spotlight on the United Kingdom at this year’s event. This deserved celebration of UK talent coincides with The Great Escape’s 10^th anniversary which will see the 2015 programme look both back at the past decade and forward into its future through artists, debates, panels and more.

In its history, Europe’s biggest festival for new music has partnered with countries across the world, putting the attention on artists from countries including Finland (2014), Australia (2010), Norway (2008), France (2007) and Canada (2006) to perform in front of its varied and influential audience. Now, in 2015, The Great Escape returns its attention closer to home to highlight the very best and brightest talent emerging across the United Kingdom.

Festival Director Kat Morris said, “In its history, The Great Escape has built a reputation as one of the most significant international festivals on the circuit and we are always incredibly proud of our lead country partnerships. These collaborations provide new artists a key opportunity to perform at the UK’s biggest industry event, being highlighted to some 18,000 attendees. As we celebrate the festival’s 10^th anniversary, we feel it’s the perfect time to focus on the huge amount of brilliant, home-grown talent here in the UK.”

This focus on the United Kingdom as lead partner will be supported by UK Music, the campaigning and lobbying body which represents every part of the UK music industry.  Chief Executive, Jo Dipple, said: “I am delighted the Great Escape has put the UK in the spotlight for its 10th anniversary. We produce the best music in the world so it is right to acknowledge that and give a bigger platform to our emerging artists.  I can’t wait to hear some great live music in May.”

As well as standalone talent showcases, this year’s Great Escape core music programme will be laced with the best new UK artists as it takes over 30+ venues across Brighton over 3-days. The first 150 artists to join the line-up for The Great Escape 10^th anniversary festival will be announced next week. 

Whilst the core music programme is still to be revealed, The Great Escape announces the four strands that will form the core of this year’s convention which runs alongside the showcases and attracts over 3000 industry delegates. This year the focus will be put on four important areas of the business through full-day convention strands:: ‘Music Licensing – Explained At Last!’, ’Music Marketing Is Broken – Let’s Fix It’, ‘How To Sell Out Gracefully – Better Brand Partnerships’ and ‘What's The Point Of A Record Label Anyway?’

Through case studies, research, interviews and debate we will: reveal how digital income is split between artists, labels, songwriters and publishers around the world (Music Licensing – Explained at Last!), discuss why repeat listening and online playlists are now key to music marketing (Music Marketing Is Broken), explore how the band / brand relationship is evolving (How To Sell Out Gracefully) and asses how ‘360 degree record deals’ should be working (What’s The Point Of A Record Label Anyway?). Details of key speakers and presentations will be announced soon.

3-day festival passes, now at saver prices, which give access to all core TGE gigs over three days are on sale now for just £49.50 + booking fees. Delegate passes, which give additional access to all TGE convention events and priority access to live shows, are still available at a heavily discounted early bird price of £145.00

For tickets and further information, visit www.greatescapefestival.com