NEW SPEAKERS INCLUDE WIRE'S COLIN NEWMAN, IZZY BEE PHILLIPS (BLACK HONEY) AND APPLE MUSIC HOST DOTTY 

Today The Great Escape has announced the full line-up and schedule for its UK-leading music industry conference, returning to Brighton from Wednesday 15^th to Saturday 18^th May. The newly revamped event gives delegates access to a full four days of content, with a series of keynote in conversations and a stack of panels, plus parties presented by TGE's industry partners and networking sessions. 

Among the new speakers and sessions announced with the full schedule are cultural luminaries such as Colin Newman and Malka Spigel-Newman of Wire fame, Dotty - Host of 'The Dotty Show' on Apple Music 1 & Lead Cultural Curator of Black Music UK, as well as Izzy Bee Phillips from indie rock band Black Honey. 

The new format for The Great Escape conference sees collaborators joining from across the music industry to shape and elevate the event, with The Association of Independent Music (AIM), The Council of Music Makers, The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), BBC Introducing and Youth Music all activating their networks of top industry experts.  

On Wednesday 15th May, The Association of Independent Music (AIM) will kick things off with sessions covering the latest innovations from the independent music sector. Starting the weekend with a bang, sessions will include "Boutique Independence - Defining the Sound of the Future" with Rough Bones, Scruff of the Neck and Chess Club Records sharing their expertise on running independent labels in 2024, as well as a special guest artist case study. Later in the day, UK label exec Darcus Beese OBE will be joined in conversation by Apple Music host Dotty to reflect on an incredible career for The Great Escape's opening keynote. 

Thursday 16 May will focus on the people behind the music in collaboration with The Council of Music Makers. Key themes will include getting credited and paid as a music creator, touring sustainably, and how to build and manage a team. Colin Newman and Malka Spigel-Newman will discuss their experiences in the acclaimed post-punk bands Wire, Swim and Pink Flag, as well as owning your rights as an artist and a life experimenting in music, including their ongoing project 'Immersion'. Helena Kosinski, Vice President, Global of Luminate will present 'The UK Music Landscape - Music Consumption Trends, Fans and Overseas Success', and other highlights include the Chairs of the Ivors Academy and BPI, Tom Gray and YolanDa Brown OBE DL, in conversation. 

On Friday 16^th May, The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) will highlight the importance of the UK's fifth biggest industry, bringing the unique concerns of venues, live entertainment and the night time economy to the fore. Panels will cover global perspectives on the night time economy, music recognition technology, mental health and addiction, empowering the youth, and safe queer spaces, with a keynote from Sacha Lord OBE, the Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester, and a live conversation from podcasters They Think It's All Sober with special guest Izzy Bee Phillips from Black Honey. 

Saturday 17^th May, presented by BBC Introducing and Youth Music, is the perfect day of information for artists, entrepreneurs and professionals starting out on their career. Attendees  can learn about key areas from building your artist and management team to marketing on a small budget, mental health and much more, including a chance to meet some of the main music industry funding bodies such as Arts Council, PRS Foundation, Youth Music and Help Musicians. Closing out the week with a bang are two keynotes – a special presentation on nature from Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker and a conversation with CHVRCHES lead singer Lauren Mayberry. 

A number of conference partners will be organising activities throughout the event. On Thursday delegates can head over to Mrs Fitzherbert for Audio Network's mixer and the TGE Beach Site for FUGA's annual drinks, with The Spanish Wave hosting 'Meet The Spaniards!' at the Leonardo Royal Waterfront Hotel. Meanwhile on Friday, brunches will be held by Vevo at the Brighton Beach House, BIMM x DIY at the Leonardo and a Nordic brunch at Redroaster in the Brighton Dome. 

Partner panels include 'Spain: Land of Many Festivals' hosted by MAD COOL and 'Pressed for Success: Navigating the Vinyl Frontier' with Vinyl Alliance, which brings together vinyl development experts to tell attendees how to get their tracks on wax. 

Rory Bett, CEO of MAMA Festivals, said: "It's been amazing to see this year's conference line-up come together. With our new collaborators bringing in specialists on everything from tech to funding, management and live, you can expect the latest cutting-edge information alongside the bread and butter of how to break artists and build a career in music - not to mention show-stopping keynotes from cultural icons and industry legends. We can't wait to see the new-look event in action this year. See you in Brighton." 

The full schedule is available now on The Great Escape website and app  https://greatescapefestival.com/conference-planner/ 

Delegate tickets and conference-only tickets are available now: https://greatescapefestival.com/buy-delegate-passes/ 

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