Music Industry Day and Live Music Showcase on Thursday 17 April at Exeter Phoenix
An event at Exeter Phoenix will offer musicians a rare opportunity to network with music industry professionals, as a new live music booking agency launches in Devon.
The event, named “LIFT OFF!”, has been organised by Mingle Music - a non-profit making social enterprise, predominantly based in the South West, which aims to increase paid performance opportunities across the UK for talented musicians, whilst providing affordable live music to venues, promoters, event planners, wedding planners and businesses.
Mingle Music is the brainchild of Marie Belsten, who has worked in the industry for many years as a promoter, an artist manager, an educator and a performer. Marie explains, “The LIFT OFF! event will bring together many of the key music industry personnel in the region. It will offer musicians and those keen to pursue a career in the music business a chance to gain an invaluable insight into several crucial aspects of today’s music industry.”
Guest speakers include James Santer from BBC Introducing in Devon, John Empson - Director of the world-renowned Eden Sessions, representatives from London based organisations such as the BPI, the PPL and the PRS, and more than 20 other industry professionals from across the board.
A series of seminars throughout the afternoon will include discussion about issues and topics designed to help musicians further their careers including gigging and touring, PR, marketing, tips for securing those elusive slots at summer festivals and much more.
There will also be a lively interactive debate which poses the question, “Should musicians ever play for free?” Local promoters, venue managers and musicians will be encouraged to discuss the issue face-to-face to gain a greater understanding of the challenges each of them faces in a climate where more and more consumers expect music to be free of charge at the point of delivery.
The music industry seminars and workshops will be followed by 20 live music performances over three stages at Exeter Phoenix, designed to showcase some of the talent signed up to the Mingle Music agency roster.
An after-party will include sets by 11 DJs from the agency’s roster, and the music will continue until 2am.
Tickets can be purchased from Exeter Phoenix Box Office - full details about the line-up and information about the guest speakers, can be found at: www.minglemusic.co.uk
