Artists and members of their team can now apply to showcase at this year’s MU:CON and Zandari Festa in South Korea, as part of the Sound City Korea initiative.
Supported by Arts Council England (the national development body for arts and culture across England), this is the fourth year that Sound City will take artists to MU:CON and Zandari.
Artists based in England, plus a member of their team, are invited to apply for the opportunity here until 6pm on July 27. Funding support to attend the events will also be given to those who are successful.
Sound City is the UK-based brand behind the Sound City festival and Sound City+ business conference held annually in Liverpool.
In 2016, Sound City announced a long term, strategic equity partner deal with Modern Sky Entertainment – the largest independent record label in Asia, and China’s largest festival promoter. The deal involves expanding Sound City in global markets as well as increasing the size and scope of its UK event.
Taking place from October 5 – 7, Zandari Festa and its conference focuses on the live and independent sector, with 200 emerging artists performing in 22 venues to 3,000 industry delegates and 15,000 music festival attendees.
MU:CON 2018 will take place in late September (dates to be confirmed) and showcases 150 artists to an industry audience of 3,000 at its conference. It has a particular focus on publishing and sync licensing.
Sound City will also take one UK act to perform at both Sounds Of The Xity 2019 in Beijing and this year’s Tokyo International Music Market, which takes place from October 22 – 24.
“Asia is home to some of the most exciting music markets in the world today, with millions of fans eager to hear the next big thing to come from the west.”
Rebecca Ayres, Sound City
Meanwhile, Sound City has partnered with Liverpool Vision and the UK’s Department of International Trade to deliver a programme of discussions and how-to sessions focusing on opportunities in the Chinese, Korean, Indian and Japanese markets as part of this year’s International Business Festival.
Taking place at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool on June 27, Sound City’s ‘Discovering Real Business Opportunities In The Asian Music Markets’ programme at the 2018 IBF will feature industry executives from each of the above territories as well as representatives from UK companies that have done business and found success in the region.
For more information and a full line-up for the Discovering Real Business Opportunities In The Asian Markets programme, visit ibfmusicday.com or register for tickets here.
Sound City COO Becky Ayres said: “Asia is home to some of the most exciting music markets in the world today, with millions of fans eager to hear the next big thing to come from the west. With the support of Arts Council England, our partnership with Modern Sky Entertainment and collaborations with big festival brands such as Zandari, MU:CON and others, we’re able to provide a rare opportunity for UK acts looking to make a name for themselves in Asia, as well as for Asian artists and businesses looking to come the other way. The bands that have taken part in these festival exchanges in the past have seen great returns. We look forward to seeing who steps forward this year and encourage anyone with an interest in breaking into Asia to get in touch and join us at the International Business Festival in Liverpool on June 27.”
Pictured: Rival Bones playing Zandari for Sound City Korea in 2017Music Business Worldwide
