Katie Melua, Alt-J’s Gus Unger-Hamilton, BEKA and Big Joanie’s Stephanie Phillips & Estella Adeyeri to lead panel discussion at the FAC’s 2024 AGM & End of Summer Party 

The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) have announced details of the organisation’s 2024 Annual General Meeting and End of Summer party, which will feature an in-depth discussion between Katie Melua, Alt-J’s Gus Unger-Hamilon, BEKA and Big Joanie’s Stephanie Phillips and Estella Adeyeri. 

The event, which takes place on Wednesday 30th October, is supported by PPL, the UK music industry’s collective management organisation for over 140,000 performers and recording rights holders. 

Moderated by NME’s hugely respected News Editor, Andrew Trendell, our panel will explore many of the most pressing and contentious challenges facing artists today, including music streaming, AI, touring, ticketing, and - perhaps most importantly - retaining the mental capacity and energy to create.  

All these issues remain at the heart of the FAC’s campaigning, including our successes with 100% Venues to challenge onerous merchandise commissions, and in Parliament, where we ensure artist voices are represented in proposals to overhaul streaming models, regulate new AI technologies and ensure funding for grassroots artists in the live ecosystem. 

Ultimately, we aim to ensure artists can reach their creative potential, and are paid and treated fairly whenever they play live or their work is used and enjoyed. 

Appropriately, our panellists represent a wide cross-section of the FAC’s membership.  

Katie, who is an FAC Director, remains one of the UK’s most well-loved performers and songwriters. Releasing her ninth studio album, Love & Money, in 2024, this year she has played a string of shows across Australia - her first in the country for 19 years. Gus has played with Alt-J since their inception in 2007, winning the Mercury Music Prize in 2012, an Ivor Novello in 2013 and releasing four critically-acclaimed albums. He became an FAC Ambassador earlier this year.

BEKA, was one of ten artists to benefit this year from the generous support of Amazon Music and their backing of the FAC’s Step Up Fund. In a career that goes from strength to strength, this year she soundtracked Season 4 of the Apple TV series Trying. Big Joanie, meanwhile, have backed up plaudits for their second album, Back Home, with a fearsome reputation as a live band. Since 2023, they have toured constantly in the UK, Europe and the US, with notable shows at Glastonbury, as part of Chaka Khan’s Meltdown and supporting The Breeders. Stephanie and Estella, who form the nucleus of the band, are both FAC Ambassadors.  

Presented in association with PPL, and supported by NME, the FAC’s AGM and party takes place from 5.45pm - 9.00pm on Wednesday 30th October at KEF Music Gallery London, the all-new cutting-edge immersive space situated in the heart of the capital at 42-28 Great Portland Street. 

Space for the event is strictly limited. Those wishing to attend can email info@thefac.org to apply for tickets. 

David Martin, CEO, Featured Artist Coalition said: 
“This is a really important event for the FAC, and I’d like to thank PPL and NME for their support, and KEF for hosting us in their brilliant new venue. As well as the opportunity of bringing together members, partners and friends, it also gives us a moment to draw breath and reflect on what’s been a tumultuous year - with the promise of even more change ahead. I’m delighted we can draw upon the expertise of Katie, Gus, BEKA, Stephanie and Estella, and I hope others in the industry will take time to listen to their thoughts, views and experiences. Building a fairer and more inclusive business starts with those who make and perform the music we love.” 

Preceding the panel, the AGM will include an election of new Board Directors and presentations from FAC staff, including David Rowntree, FAC Artist in Residence.