It’s that time of year again, when UK music industry can almost smell the sea air and fish and chips. Yes, The Great Escape is upon us and, once again the Brighton festival boasts a vast array of things to see, hear and do. There’s the convention, which stretches over all three days (May 18-20), plus over 480 of the hottest emerging acts all vying for your attention. With so much on offer, it can be hard to know where to start, so, as you fine-tune your planning, check out Music Week’s five picks of TGE 2017.
Drugs focus
Supported by Help Musicians UK, The Drugs Conference kicks off the first day of the festival by asking what the music industry should be doing to save lives. With a list of speakers including Mixmag’s Duncan Dick, Fabric’s Andy Blackett and MMF’s Fiona McGugan, the day of panels will also address customer safety, drug culture within the music industry and mental health.
THE DETAILS: Dukes @ Komedia 1, Thursday, 10:45am-5pm
We can be royals
Where’s my fucking money? Now there’s a question we an all relate to. The Royalties Conference examines whether music rights are actually making any money and asks where the royalties go. The programme aims to explain global collective licensing, the shift to direct licensing in the live sector and digital’s transparency problem. Speakers include PACE Rights Management’s Adam Elfin, PPL’s Amanda Carmichael, PRS For Music’s Andy Harrower and MMF’s Annabella Coldrick,
THE DETAILS: Dukes @ Komedia 2, Friday, 11am-5pm
Export marks the spot
It’s not all pints, chips and bands at The Great Escape, you know. We’re here to talk harsh realities too. One of those, inevitably, is Brexit. What will it mean for the music business? New music is vital to The Great Escape, but will our impending departure from the European Union make it harder for international bands to play this and other emerging talent festivals like Eurosonic? And how best can we export British music overseas? What are the most common visa mistakes in the business? All these and many more questions will be answered on Friday, when TGE’s convention goes export crazy. Speakers include ATC’s Phil Middleton, the BPI’s Ian Moss and PRS Foundation’s Bhavesh Patel.
THE DETAILS: Dukes @ Komedia 1, Friday, 10:45am-5pm
New Gen on sea
Conceived in London, XL A&R Caroline Simionescu-Marin’s New Gen project is taking over Brighton venue Patterns on Friday night to give the south coast a taste of what certain pockets of the capital have been going mad for for a good while now. This specially commissioned New Gen Party will feature sets from Bonkaz, Renz, Jevon and some special guests, who (obviously) are top secret.
THE DETAILS: Patterns, Friday, 9pm
Rag’N’Bone Man’s coming home
Right now, Saturday night feels a lifetime away, and in many ways it is, but believe us, it’s coming. And when it does it’s likely to bring one of the highlights of the festival. Rory Graham, aka the chart-conquering, BRIT Award-winning blues singer they call Rag’N’Bone Man, is set to bring the city to a standstill with a hometown set that’s sure to warm your cockles. He’s playing after fellow hot ticket Ray Blk too, so get there early.
THE DETAILS: Brighton Dome – Concert Hall, Saturday, 9pm
Keep up to date with Music Week at The Great Escape on musicweek.com and social media, and click here for details of our panel discussions with Music Glue and Urban Development, which both take place on Friday.
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