British Music Embassy Sessions now available to watch

25 March 2020 - Press release

 

• Performances can be viewed on BBC iPlayer and BBC Music YouTube

 

Following the cancellation of SXSW 2020 amongst COVID-19 concerns, the British Music Embassy, BBC Music Introducing and music industry partners came together to ensure the opportunity was not altogether lost for those UK music creators who had been booked to perform. These were the last BBC Music Introducing sessions that took place due to the current climate.

Dubbed ‘The BME Sessions’, live performances were filmed at London’s Production Park Studios on 16 and 17 March, creating a new alternative platform and captive audience for those artists affected. These are now available to watch via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Music YouTube channel.

Artists Arlo Parks, Bess Atwell, Jordan Mackampa, Knucks, KOKOROKO, Liz Lawrence, Marsicans, Porridge Radio and Steam Down all feature in The BME Sessions, organised and supported by British Music Embassy partners the Association of Independent Music (AIM), BBC Music Introducing, BPI, Department for International Trade, PPL, PRS for Music and PRS Foundation.

In a joint statement, the British Music Embassy partners, said: “All British Music Embassy partners are committed to showing their support to those who have taken a hit and it’s for this reason we decided to host these studio sessions. Performing at SXSW can be a career-changing opportunity and so we encourage people to share the videos of these incredible performances as far and wide as possible.”

Singer-songwriter, Jordan Mackampa, said: “It really sucked not getting to play SXSW this year, but I'm so grateful to the British Music Embassy partners for allowing me to record a session with them. It was awesome to bring six days’ worth of energy into one performance!”

The British Music Embassy is the official annual UK residency at SXSW, hosting a number of events and showcases throughout the conference. Previous performers include BRITS 2020 Rising Star Award winner Celeste, Hyundai Mercury Prize nominees Black Midi and BBC Sound of 2020 runners-up, Easy Life.

 

Performances from The BME Sessions are now available to watch on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Music YouTube channel.