Westway Lab 2023 - 10 Years of Co-Creation, Knowledge Transfer and Music
10 years of Co-Creation, Knowledge Transfer, and unique new music
Contact:
Nikki McNeill | Global Publicity
nikki@globalpublicity.co.uk
NTIA Launch Partnership With New Nightlife Safety App ‘Where You At’
NTIA launch partnership with ‘Where You At’ (WYA), the new female-founded nightlife safety app which solves the problem of losing friends in busy venues. Combining the power of bluetooth technology and precise in-app mapping, the innovative app is currently being piloted across several venues in London and Nottingham. The industry launch event will take place on the 16th March 2023 at London venue, E1.
The Launch event will feature an art exhibition, a panel talk about safety in the nightlife industry with speakers from across the sector and an afterparty. The evening will also demonstrate how WYA's innovative application of Bluetooth technology functions, allowing attendees to navigate around the venue via the app and locate themselves, friends, and various facilities. The app even works even when there is no internet connection or phone signal and if there is an incident, you can also ping your friends to alert them to come to your aid.
The event will begin with an art exhibition ‘Nightlife’, curated in partnership with the art collective Loose Screws. Taking place from 2-9pm with 50 artworks on display, attendees will be able to precisely locate and read details about the artworks using the app, showcasing a novel function of the app at the intersection of art and tech.
There will be a welcome speech at 7pm with Tamzin Lent (CEO & Founder) and Silvana Kill (NTIA), before a panel comprised of Darkwah, Gaby Cartwright (Live), Liam Cross (Night Tales), Ross Patel (Whole Management) and Sam Hennerly (Safer Dance) will discuss the vital steps the night-time industry needs to take to ensure revellers can focus on fun, without having to worry about safety. Here, emerging artists will explore what the theme ‘Nightlife’ means to them.
The evening culminates with an after party, featuring sets by Tai Lokun, secretluvvr and Gee Lee. This is an opportunity to see the app tested in situ.
WYA APP LAUNCH EVENT
E1, Unit 2, 110 Pennington St, London E1W 2BB
16th March 2023 6 - 11PM
RSVP: https://www.universe.com/events/wya-launch-pop-up-tickets-6J315N
CODE: WYA
https://www.wya.world/
Speaking on WYA founder Tamzin says:
“You know that feeling when you’re out with friends, and suddenly you can’t find them? We’ve all been there. That’s where WYA comes in. Our app solves this problem using indoor mapping, so you can precisely locate your friends, seeing whether they’re by the bar or on the dancefloor. And the best part? It works without an internet connection or signal, making your nights out safer and more enjoyable.
"We are very excited to debut the WYA app at our launch event at E1. This is a proof of concept event, highlighting the innovative capabilities of the app to our community. We also want to thank our early adopters in London and Nottingham for helping us to build our product - which is on a mission to make nightlife easier, and safer, for everyone.“
Silvana Kill, Director for the NTIA says:
Following recent campaigns looking at the safety of the vulnerable people at night, the Night Time Industries Association has partnered with “Where You At” App which is a mobile app that allows individuals to find and message their friends, tracking their precise location in and around night time spaces.
An exceptional amount of work has been done within the sector, which is focused on creating safer environments for people to socialise within, and build public confidence. Under the Night Safe Champion programme, this initiative is one of many layers of safeguarding mechanisms which will prove to enhance communication between staff and customers if they are feeling vulnerable or concerned about their safety.
“As someone who has been involved in this sector for 25 years, I’ve seen first hand how quickly an individual can become intoxicated, disorientated or simply lost. The moment you are on your own, you become vulnerable. The Where You At app is a great solution, for such circumstances, and its unique functionality means you can still use the app without a signal which makes its accessibility an even more valuable tool.”
“We continue to talk about the issues faced in our night time spaces. It's time we start talking about what we are doing as an industry and the many initiatives like the Where You At app that are available out there that can help prevent and protect vulnerable people.”
“The challenges around safeguarding are many, and multi-faceted; bringing together partners with initiatives and solutions like the Where You At app, as a way of helping our customers feel safe, supported and empowered to enjoy a night out, without concerns”
“It is not just about bringing together solutions and service providers, it is about ensuring everything we do has a positive impact on the ground”
“Every safeguarding initiative we work with, commits to measuring and monitoring its effectiveness, as part of their commitment to continuous improvement. And as part of the Night Safe Champion programme, we do this by asking our customers”
“The Where You At app, can not only be used to help and support, but could also be used to aid in reporting, and assist in investigations and might help to increase the chance of a successful prosecution”
“It is of vital importance that we all work together as a community to stamp out such crimes. We do this by driving away current normalised behaviours that vulnerable people currently have to face, empowering workforce to ensure they have the confidence to engage, help and support, and make sure our customers feel heard and feel safe.”
About WYA
WYA uses Bluetooth beacons to allow individuals to locate and message their friends within clubs (down to the cubicle) – even without a signal. The app is free for users, helping to make nights out easier to navigate.
Nights out are improved because friends can find each other easily – which has both social and safety advantages. Individuals can alert friends when they feel unsafe. This data can be passed on to venues, allowing them to make data-driven changes to their clubs. We believe that the time-stamped and precise location data could also better enable users to better report incidents.
The app is being created by a small team led by Tamzin Lent after experiences of sexual assault in nightclubs. Jamie Legg, the CTO, has said that ‘it is the first app to offer peer-to-peer safety (in contrast to teacher-student or parent-child), permitting friends to look out for one another’. WYA is partnered with the Night Time Industry Association, and is currently being trialled in London at XOYO and E1, and in Rock City, Stealth, Rescue Rooms and The Level in Nottingham. Working with Nottingham Trent SU and Sheffield SU, they have an ambassador program looking for feedback for refining the app. Their initial progress was featured by Time Out, The Guilty Feminist, Dazed, The Guardian and more, this vital app is set on making nightlife safer for all.
Italy takes centre stage at The Great Escape 2023
Italy will take centre stage at The Great Escape as the focus country for the 2023 edition with a host of exciting new artists ready to make their mark on the international music scene. Already known for its fashion sense, cultural monuments, beautiful landscapes and art, Italy's music scene is now gaining global recognition with a new generation of young and talented musicians including Anna Bassy, BLUEM, Eugenia Post Meridiem, HEIR, Maria Chiara Argiro, Milanosport, PEAKS!, Sans Soucis and The Gluts.
Already making waves is songwriter, artist and producer Sans Soucis, whose music combines elements of Congolese Rumba, classic Italian songwriting, electronic R&B and alt-pop sounds. Recent accolades include the Music Moves Europe ‘Grand Jury’ prize, TicketMaster’s breakthrough artist for 2023 and inclusion in Spotify’s global RADAR campaign.
Italian-Nigerian singer-songwriter Anna Bassy is one of the most interesting emerging talents in the Italian new soul scene effortlessly blending African roots with soul, pop, electronic, and folk influences.
BLUEM aka Chiara Floris is a Sardinian singer, songwriter and producer living in London. Her new album ‘Nou’ is an important landmark in her creative vision, being representative of her heritage where she creates a rich musical landscape that stays true to Sardinian musical traditions, stories and sounds but moving them forward in her own way.
Eugenia Post Meridiem is a quartet blending electronic music and psychedelic guitars with percussive jazz origins. Rolling Stone Italia named the band among the twenty most promising Italian musicians of 2020 and their second studio album ‘Like I need a tension’ was released in November 2022.
HĒIR is the industry’s new alt-pop prodigy, known for ethereal vocals and bold synths.
Already the muse of many fashion designers and magazines, her passion for music was sparked by opera, which has influenced her current love of cinematic sounds. Heir’s new EP
titled 'Is that all there is?’ is due out on 7th April.
Maria Chiara Argirò has been quietly weaving her way around the UK jazz, classical and electronic worlds. Her new album, ‘Forest City’ marks her out as an exciting rising electronic artist, where jazz meets Kelly Lee Owens, Jon Hopkins and Radiohead.
Alt Rock duo PEAKS! have received widespread support from streaming platforms across Europe including New Music Friday on Spotify on Amazon Music’s Fresh Rock and New Rock playlists. Across the airwaves, Jack Saunders has supported them as part of his BBC Radio 1 ‘Future Artists’ section and their first single ‘Blackout’ was featured in the opening episode of last season‘s Love Island and BBC Match of the Day.
Currently working on their first album, Milan-based Milanosport are a romantic post-punk outfit centred around Fender guitars, 10 amps, synths and teamwork. Also hailing from Milan are the Fuzz Club noise punk and psychedelic four-piece The Gluts.
As part of the focus campaign, Italia Music Export will host two special showcases at The Great Escape featuring some of the best and most exciting emerging talent coming out of Italy. More info and set times will be announced soon.
Listen to all the acts here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4CucFcJUA91tjTRkOctUuK
More about the artists
Anna Bassy
https://www.instagram.com/annabassy/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/76s04CnDX5gMiAl3Mkq7iC?si=hyWnMpFjRxiaHYOHF7cKng
Italian-Nigerian singer-songwriter Anna Bassy is one of the most interesting emerging artists in the Italian new soul scene. She wrote her first songs in 2016, originally conceived to be performed solo only with a guitar. Now the project has evolved to include a full band lineup that has brought new life to the arrangements, making them more intense and sophisticated whilst still retaining their delicacy, and blending African roots with soul, pop, electronic, and folk influences.
Since the start of the project in 2019, Anna has continued to pursue opportunities to perform her songs live as an essential way of expressing herself. To date, she has played over 70 concerts across Italy. In October 2021 Anna released her debut EP ‘Monsters’ which was a journey through fear in its various forms. Moving into 2022, Anna released a new EP "Genesi", which was a return to the roots, including some of the first songs she ever wrote. Anna was also selected to be part for the 2022 Keychange program, the international movement for gender balance in the music industry.
BLUEM
https://www.instagram.com/sailorbluem/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1eFOTBAGM0w0SH7jnTYSd1?si=AQBiKKDnSV-K3LYE3_gD9A
BLUEM is Chiara Floris, a Sardinian singer, songwriter and producer living in London.
She first moved to the UK to study music for film, and soon became inspired to start her own musical venture.
BLUEM began with 2018’s “Picolina”, her first EP, self-released, that was all sung in
English. She has since released “Notte” in 2021, which received widespread praise in the
Italian music scene and explored an instinctive, primordial experience of love.
Alongside writing and producing, BLUEM’s music has been heavily influenced by her
developing pole dance practice that has become an informative part of her creative process, teaching her discipline and hard work.
“Nou” is the latest development of BLUEM and is an important landmark for Floris in
stepping further into her creative vision. ‘Nou’ means ‘new’ in Sardinian, and the album set to be released in May is representative of her Sardinian heritage in a way that feels both authentic to her and to the culture. It creates a rich musical landscape that stays true to Sardinian musical
traditions, stories and sounds but moves them forward in her own way.
Eugenia Post Meridiem
https://www.instagram.com/eugenia_post_meridiem/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/47wCQih5a5wC9l3LqDRySE?si=kJcHYdi5SbqgSdM-yX0ydg
Fate, coincidence or divine intervention? Eugenia Post Meridiem took shape in the summer of 2017 after three months of travelling around Lisbon, when by chance Eugenia (voice, guitar) met Matteo (bass), Giovanni (guitar, keys) and Matteo (drums, percussion). The quartet soon moulded together, blending Matteo’s bass and electronic music skills, Giovanni’s psychedelic guitar and Matteo's percussive jazz origins.
The initial meeting then led to the creation of a series of songs that showcased Eugenia’s wonderful voice and remarkable songwriting potential, and blended layers of soul, indie and folk influences. Distinct 60s and 70s psychedelic directions are combined with the 90s sound textures that are l held together, interpreted and channelled through four completely different musical backgrounds.
The band spent the summer and autumn of 2019 touring around Italy, releasing their first record in October 2019. 2020 saw them play a number of key festivals, incl. ESNS, MENT and WAVES Vienna, and get selected for the INES talent pool. Rolling Stone Italia named Eugenia Post Meridiem among the 20 most promising Italian emerging musicians of 2020.
In 2021 the band released LIFE SLEEPER SIDE A and SIDE B, which were followed up by performances at MIL festival in Portugal and Reeperbahn in Germany. Eugenia Post Meridiem have now recorded their second studio album “Like I need a tension’, released in November 2022 via Bronson Recordings.
HEIR
https://www.instagram.com/heir/?hl=en
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4zroxWKoeCisPvqHj5CtqW?si=Bos3phENQimR-SKo3LXnWw
HĒIR is the industry’s new alt-pop prodigy. Known for ethereal vocals and bold synths, the London-based artist, is already the muse of many fashion designers and magazines. Raised by two classical musician parents, the singer comes from Naples in the south of Italy. Her passion for music was sparked by opera, which has influenced her current love of cinematic sounds. Titled 'Is that all there is? and set for release on 7th April 2023’, Heir’s new EP Is a contemplative query about an existential dilemma. The singer describes it as a body of work that challenges you to be lost before you’re too found. Being lost is how you embrace unpredictability and play your own instead of other people’s games in life.
Maria Chiara Argiro
https://www.instagram.com/maria_chiara_argiro/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2uz9ERD3U5c4F2CZDS0mzb?si=e4LJOC7NQ6S837cF-I2qaQ
Maria Chiara Argirò (pronounced ma-REE-ah key-AH-rah r-gee-ROW) has been quietly weaving her way around the UK jazz, classical and electronic worlds since she moved to London from Rome 11 years ago. A pianist from the age of nine and a key player in the capital’s multi-national jazz scene, she’s lent her skills to indie band These New Puritans, lush jazz troupe Kinkajous and, more recently, collaborations with Jamie Leeming – their 2020 album Flow was nominated for one of the albums of the year in the Jazz Revelations Awards and was the Guardian’s jazz album of the month – and beat-driven duo Moonfish.
But with her new album, Forest City, she finds a glistening thread between these movements: it marks her out as an exciting rising electronic artist, where jazz meets Kelly Lee Owens, Jon Hopkins and Radiohead. It’s a concept record, about the “duality of nature and city”, and where organic sounds and textures seem to flow above the urban sprawl.
Milanosport
https://www.instagram.com/milanosportsportsport/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5Om07vNuCtNPdkHuYKkSNl?si=o1nU3_xyRCiJ-9XP-g123Q
MILANOSPORT are Fender guitars, 10 amps and synth bound together by teamwork. Each member of this romantic post punk band from Milan carries a completely different musical past, where punk mixes itself with surf rock, synth-pop, electronic Soviet, shoegaze and Irish folk.
“Ain’t big enough”, the band’s first self-released EP, gave Milanosport the opportunity to reach the international market playing Linecheck Festival in November 2022. Currently, the band is working on their first album produced by Jennifer Gentle’s frontman Marco Fasolo.
PEAKS!
https://www.instagram.com/yeswearepeaks/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6OmQ3QpipDrfFdHjtYNMp1
PEAKS! are an Alt Rock duo from Italy who started creating music back in 2020. Their debut live shows at The Great Escape 2022 gained rapturous praise and were followed up by festival performances at 2000 Trees and BST Hyde Park with Pearl Jam. The band went on to play their first Italian show in front of 10,000 people in Mantova Italy, supporting Placebo and finished the year supporting Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes.
Their releases have received widespread support from streaming platforms including New Music Friday Spotify across Europe, as well as key playlists including All New Rock, The New Alt, Pop Rock Shot, Alternative Beats, Rock Italia and New Noise. They also gained support on Amazon Music from their Fresh Rock and New Rock playlists, were featured by
Jack Saunders as part of his BBC Radio 1 ‘Future Artists’ selections and heard on Love Island and Match of the Day.
Sans Soucis
https://www.instagram.com/sanssoucismusic/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4vXFvvWirlvTwcl184KfDc?si=7VPcnBLCTG2Ne6cSSXvoVA
Sans Soucis takes her name from a childhood nickname meaning ‘carefree’. The Italian songwriter, artist and producer has been releasing music independently since 2018, on an intense journey to find herself spiritually and sonically. Latest EP “On Time For Her” is her most vulnerable work yet, tackling childhood and racial trauma and a search for her identity within a Western society.
Born out of a desire to reconnect with the uninhibited joyfulness and authenticity of childhood that all of us lose as we grow older, their music is a radical act of reclamation. Receiving praise from The Guardian, Paper Mag, The Independent, Fader, The Forty-Five, Pitchfork and more, it combines elements of Congolese Rumba, classic Italian songwriting, electronic R&B and alt-pop sounds.
Her accolades include the Music Music Moves Europe ‘Grand Jury’ prize, inclusion in Spotify’s global RADAR campaign, and TicketMaster’s breakthrough artist for 2023.
In recent months she’s performed shows at Cross The Tracks, All Points East, Pitchfork Paris, Eurosonic, and supporting Rina Sawayama in Milan.
The Gluts
https://www.instagram.com/thegluts/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/13WOru4Cg1ZdszgnB1AU17?si=xwHcDvsJRHODFIpmtPhAOA
The Gluts is a noise-punk and psychedelic four-piece band based in Milan (IT). The members are Marco Campana (guitarist), Nicolò Campana (vocals/synth/percussions), Claudia Cesana, (bassist), and Dario Bruno Bassi (drummer). Up to this moment the band has released four studio albums Warsaw (in 2014 for Nasoni Records) Estasi, Dengue Fever Hypnotic Trip, and Ungrateful Heart (respectively in 2017, 2019, 2021 for Fuzz Club Records), one live session (in 2018, Fuzz Club Sessions) and contributed to a number of compilations (e.g Reverb Conspiracy Vol.5). Thanks to the collaboration with El Borracho Bookings, over the past few years the band has toured extensively around Europe playing independent festivals and performing both in South Africa and the USA.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Download more info and photos of artists here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12xUyr5_Vl8TT-XCMuvmGSa4VnqZHgMrq
About the Italia Music Export - SIAE
Italia Music Export is Italy’s first music export office, founded by SIAE in November 2017. Its aim is to promote Italian music worldwide, boost music export revenues and support Italian music companies going global. While supporting the Italian music business, Italia Music Export also advises and assists international professionals interested in working with Italian artists and companies. More info here: http://www.italiamusicexport.com/
NTIA Launch 'Listen for Life' Campaign on World Hearing Day 3rd March 2023
The NTIA recognises how vitally important healthy hearing is to everybody and are excited to be partnering with the World Health Organisation’s Make Listening Safe UK Campaign.
The NTIA is launching an ambitious initiative on World Hearing Day to engage and inform everyone, both young and not so young, working in or enjoying music rich environments on how they can stay safe and hear the music they love for as long as possible.
In conjunction with World Hearing Day 2023, the NTIA are pleased to announce its partnership with the “Make Listening Safe” Campaign in the UK, an initiative of the World Health Organisation to increase the awareness of avoidable risks to hearing and promote the WHO’s global standards on safe listening at venues and events.
The industry has a huge part to play in safeguarding people's hearing across the sector, from bars staff, performers, security and crew. Alongside the guidance developed by WHO, the NTIA is also launching a campaign to work with the industry, to fund a training and accreditation scheme which will make people aware of the impacts and the methods to protect your most valuable asset if you love listening to music. Hearing Loss and Tinnitus (constant ringing in your ears) is commonplace for those working in the industry.
You may not know;
- According to WHO 1.1 billion young people (12-35) are at risk of permanent hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices when enjoying recreational sound such as music.
- Report from the Commission on Hearing Loss 2014 calculated the cost of hearing loss to the UK economy to £24.8bn, which will potentially rise to £38.6bn by 2031.
- Dementia –Hearing loss is the biggest modifiable factor in a person’s life course that will increase the risk of dementia. Mild hearing loss doubles your risk, Moderate hearing loss trebles it and a severe hearing loss means a person is FIVE times more likely to suffer dementia.
- One in six people are impacted by hearing loss in the UK, our aim alongside partners and key stakeholders is to reduce that number across our sector through awareness and education so that people can listen to music safely within the workplace, social or personal environments.
The NTIA is launching one of the most ambitious programs in the world to engage and inform all those working in or enjoying the music in an industry we all love. It is important to help people avoid what is a completely unnecessary injury to their health so they can continue to enjoy listening to and hearing that music for as long as possible. The NTIA look forward to collaborating with many other organizations that have a genuine interest in conserving the health of all those involved.
Michael Kill CEO NTIA Says:
“Losing the ability to listen to music is inconceivable, especially given that I have based my career on music and night time economy. Thousands of people across our sector suffer from hearing loss, and if we continue to dismiss the wider impacts thousands more will follow.”
“When asked if we would like to work with WHO as part of our wider UK project to educate people on hearing loss and the potential impacts and the methods of protection, we grabbed the opportunity with both hands.”
Robert Shepheard – Consultant Audiologist Says:
“Hearing loss and tinnitus is extremely common with people working in and enjoying music rich environments. It is sometimes not fully understood the irreversible impact listening to loud sound can have on many aspects of our health. As the NTIA’s audiologist it is so encouraging to see the industry taking such a proactive step to maintain the health of everyone involved.“
Lindsay McIntyre – KSG Acoustics Says:
“As a professional in acoustics and audio for live sound, I know how easy it can be to damage your hearing permanently. This can have a detrimental effect on health and wellbeing and may even be career-ending. KSG Acoustics is delighted to be involved with this initiative, especially given the opportunity to reach out to the new generation of audio professionals and audiences and help them to prioritize and normalize protecting their precious hearing.”
Biff Mitchell – Glastonbury & Beautiful Days Festival Says:
“Its time we went further than an earplug dispenser and a set of ear defenders on a sign as the only education given to staff in venues and concerts on the dangers of long exposure to loud music. In over 30 years working in the live sector I have seen people from all parts of the industry suffering from hearing problems and for some resulting in mental health problems it’s time to educate.”
Green Events & Innovations Conference Sold Out Success
A Greener Future for the music and events industry - Adapting to the new climate
Green Events & Innovations Conference (GEI) is presented by AGF in partnership with the International Live Music Conference (ILMC)
The 15th edition of the Green Events & Innovations Conference (GEI), the foremost conference for sustainable events, was a sold out success with over 350 delegates and an agenda with heavyweight speakers, innovators and industry leaders in the global live music, sports and event sector.
Taking place on 28th February at the Royal Lancaster London and supported by Ecotricity, this year’s edition tackled the critical sustainability issues with a gender-balanced lineup of speakers who brought their knowledge, insight, and formidable passion to the panels and conversations.
Proceedings started with AGF CEO Claire O'Neill and Director Teresa Moore revealing that, after 17 years, the company was rebranding as A Greener Future in order to reflect the organisation's evolution beyond festivals to support the broader live events sector.
With that announcement out of the way, the conference kicked off proper with the Adapting to a New Climate Panel and Boom Festival’s Artur Mendes boldly stating that “we won’t work with brands or policy makers who aren’t aligned with our values.” While The Platinum Jubilee Pageant Case Study took a look at the sustainability actions and takeaways from organising this huge and iconic event; and Mark Stevenson (CUR8) highlighted some key facts in Carbon Offsets: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, saying that “Any new fossil fuel exploration is a gun held to humanity’s head.”
Next, AGF and YOUROPE launched their highly anticipated European Green Festival Roadmap 2030 and Switching on Your Audience – Creative Climate Communication which involved a lively discussion about how organisations are engaging their audiences and fans, with Hannah Cox (betternotstop) saying, “It’s taking responsibility as a human being for what you create in the world,” and “If you're running a festival, that is your values being shown to the world, and you have to stand up for what you believe in.”
Andy Cato (Wildfarmed/Groove Armada) and Dale Vince (Ecotricity/Forest Green Rovers F.C.) discussed what makes what we eat sustainable in Food: Back to the Future, which saw Andy stating, “Not only can we grow enough food to feed people, we can grow enough food to nourish people,” and Dale adding “Our fans love the food. Since going plant-based, we sell far more food at Forest Green Rovers than we ever did before.”
In the Moving on from Fossil Fuels panel the O2’s Richard Godsell highlighted the need for venues to act as one on significant changes through groups such as NAA, so that leading venues aren’t alienated and the whole touring circuit is improved. Helen Harland (Manchester City Council) added that “the ultimate goal being that the renewable solutions cost the same or less than generators”. During the Circularity: Turning Off the Tap on New panel Julia Davies (We Have The POWER) discussed the harrowing stats about our 69% decline in wildlife populations since 1970 and the urgent need to turn off the tap on new things, moving to a sharing and reuse economy.
Elsewhere, the ACT 1.5 Exclusive Research session, supported by the hugely successful trip-hop collective Massive Attack and the Arts Council of England (ACE), saw ACT 1.5 (a research project exploring challenges set out in the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research’s Live Music Roadmap) under discussion. The session saw Mark Donne (Writer and Producer) comment, “I firmly believe in ‘piloting by behaviour.’ Not just putting people on stage and giving them the t-shirt.” Whilst Carol Scott (Tait) asked: “What is our legacy going to be? […] It would be pitiful if we could have made a change, but we didn’t.”
AGF Director Teresa Moore said “A Greener Future doesn’t just rely on practitioners but also on research. Judging by the packed room for the Moving forward sustainability theory, research and practice panel the audience understood this”. In this session, the Association of Event Management Educators (AEME) brought together leading event and sustainability researchers to share their findings and discuss the current and future direction of event and sustainability research.
The Quick-Fire Innovation Round presented unique and innovative sustainability ideas including: how the team at Carnicycle are making carnivals sustainable; The Green Room’s approach to sustainable tools for online music; FWRD’s innovative ways to improve bin use through gamification; GEIA’s ideas to support forest restoration; and how Again use technology to make reusable packaging more accessible than ever before.
Then five years on since the first Greener Tour panel, John Robb headed up a discussion on what has changed, what can be changed, and the practicalities of trying to change the touring model. The panel saw Jamal Chalabi (Backlash Productions / AGF) stating frankly, “Everyone thinks it’s about the artist leading it. The artist is really good at messaging, but it’s the industry that needs to get our shit together.”
Finally, to conclude a jam-packed day of inspiring insight and conversation, Brian Eno and Jacob Collier explored ‘music as a social synchroniser’ in the GEI keynote. An enlightening convo that saw Brian comment that “The arts are where we develop our instinct and our conscience,” and Jacob state that “things become possible as you start doing them.”
The day closed with the 16th edition of the International AGF Awards ceremony in which the most innovative and worthy events, venues, organisations, and individuals from worldwide events over the last 12 months were celebrated.
Forest Green Rovers became the first football club to win, scooping both the Catering and Pied Piper Awards. Also winning dual awards were The Netherlands DGTL and the UK's Green Gathering, with other winners Boom Festival in Portugal, and Spain’s Sonidos Líquidos and WomanInFan at Sitges Film Festival. The coveted International Greener Festival Award went to Green Gathering.
Full list of International AGF Award winners:
Circular Event Award - DGTL
Greener Power Award - Green Gathering
Greener Catering Award (supported by Matthew Clark) - Forest Green Rovers
Community Action Award - Sonidos Liquidos
AGF Water & Sanitation Award (supported by Loowatt) - Boom
Greener Transport Award - DGTL
Pied Piper Award - Forest Green Rovers
Greener Innovations Award - WomanInFan@Sitges
International Greener Festival (supported by STACK-CUP) - Green Gathering
More information at agreenerfuture.com / @agreenerfestival
The SUPERBLOOM Festival turns pink
Not only the future, but also SUPERBLOOM will be pink this year: the festival announces the successful artist Peter Fox and other highlights, such as Ava Max, Sam Fender, Trettmann, Aitch, The Blaze, RAYE, Wilhelmine and Mayberg. These join the already confirmed top-class artists Imagine Dragons, Martin Garrix, Ellie Goulding, Marteria, Badmómzjay, Zara Larsson, Ofenbach, Aurora or Lost Frequencies and complete this year's festival line-up.
On September 02 and 03 2023, the grounds of the Munich Olympic Park and Olympic Stadium will once again be transformed into a spectacular SUPERBLOOM world of experience with national & international artists*, podcasters* and numerous experience areas. Already in 2022 the SUPERBLOOM Festival could convince with its completely sold out first edition and even secured the title "Best New Festival" at the "European Festival Awards" with this edition. This year, once again, guests can look forward to a unique and multifaceted potpourri of music, performance, podcasts, workshops and dance.
At the end of last year, a number of acts were already announced, including U.S. pop-rock band Imagine Dragons, rap veteran Marteria, British pop singer Ellie Goulding and Badmómzjay, who was named best newcomer of the year. Now the line-up for SUPERBLOOM 2023 is completed by numerous national and international musicians* and podcasters*.
Peter Fox - for whom the future is pink - returns to the festival stage as a solo artist with a new album after 15 years. Further, the successful rapper Trettman finally plays festival shows again after a break. Ava Max, the American pop sensation with Albanian roots, and the TikTok star and newcomer Nessa Barrett also bring the SUPERBLOOM measures to shake. British artist RAYE, who recently landed at No. 1 in the UK charts with her global hit Escapism is also just one of the highlights of this year's edition. In the hip-hop section, guests can look forward to 22-year-old exceptional talent Aitch, as well as trap beats from Berlin's makko. Energetic indie rock will be provided by British global star Sam Fender, as by La Comitiva together with singer-songwriter Erlend Øye, also known as the head of the band The Whitest Boy Alive and part of the pop duo Kings of Convenience. Internet sensation and musician TALK, who, next to presenting soulful songs, also uses his strong voice to advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, will also be taking stage. Atmospheric, on the other hand, is the Parisian duo The Blaze, whose sounds reflect a mix of dub, house and pop music. Intelligent lyrics and soulful vocals are presented by Olivia Dean, whose music tackles topics such as love and separation. Other confirmed acts for SUPERBLOOM 2023 include German artists* Mayberg, $OHO BAŃI, Jeremias, Wilhelmine, as well as Dilla and Norway’s SKAAR.
This year's SUPERBLOOM is once again much more than just a music festival. In addition to the musical highlights, journalists Leonie Bartsch & Linn Schütze report on true crime cases in their podcast MORD AUF EX. While Hadnet Tesfai and Tarik Tesfu talk about hot topics and gossip, from politics to pop culture on Tratsch & Tacheles, the podcast SUCHT & SÜCHTIG deals with the problems and challenges of drug abuse. Director Hagen Decker and educator John Cook provide some deep insights into their own drug addiction.
Once again, numerous experience areas await all guests young and old: At every corner there is something to discover, experience and interactively participate in. Once again, these include the lifestyle, fashion, beauty and sports area District4 and the YourPlanet area, which thematizes sustainability topics. On the Spectacular stage, visitors can marvel at various impressive dance, acrobatics and circus performances. At SuperBrain, the area for science and innovation, anyone interested can explore the world of medicine, research and technology. Families and all younger guests will experience many adventures in the magical world of MiniBloom. Other experience areas will follow shortly.
Advance ticket sales have already started. The 2-day ticket for Saturday & Sunday is available from 219 EUR. Next Generation tickets for 16 & 17 year olds are offered at a discounted price of 119 EUR and limited kids tickets from 6 to 15 years for 49 EUR. Starting today, day tickets for Saturday or Sunday will also go on sale at a price of 119 EUR.
These and other ticket categories are available at www.superbloom.de.
All confirmed acts at a glance:
IMAGINE DRAGONS
MARTIN GARRIX -
PETER FOX
AVA MAX
SAM FENDER
THE BLAZE
ELLIE GOULDING
CONTRA K
MARTERIA
TRETTMANN
ZARA LARSSON
YEARS & YEARS
AURORA
RAYE
GIANT ROOKS
BADMÓMZJAY
AITCH
JEREMIAS
LOST FREQUENCIES
QUERBEAT
OFENBACH
ÖWNBOSS
ERLEND ØYE & LA COMITIVA
CAT BURNS
NESSA BARRETT
OLIVIA DEAN
TALK
SKAAR
MAKKO
SKI AGGU
PAULA HARTMANN
ENNIO
$OHO BANI
MAYBERG
WILHELMINE
DILLA
AND MANY MORE
PODCASTS:
MURDER ON EX - ADDICTION & ADDICTS - GOSSIP & TACHELES
MINIBLOOM:
DIKKA - HEAVYSAURUS - MUNICH SUPERCREW
UNDER MY BED presents GORILLA CLUB & GUESTS
More shows and musical artists will follow.
DOWNLOAD PRESS MATERIAL
Press accreditation will start in spring 2023 via the official festival website.
SUPERBLOOM
2nd & 3rd September 2023
Olympiapark & Olympiastadion Munich
#superbloommunich
About SUPERBLOOM
SUPERBLOOM is a new live entertainment festival by Goodlive GmbH. The festival celebrated its sold-out premiere in 2022 with 50,000 visitors* per day in Munich. Already with its first edition, SUPERBLOOM managed to win the title "Best New Festival 2022" and was awarded by the annual European Festival Awards. The festival takes place in the Olympic Park and the legendary Olympic Stadium. National and international superstars, comedians, podcasters* and numerous experience areas are part of the novel concept. For the 2022 line-up, artists such as David Guetta, Megan The Stallion, Calvin Harris, Kraftklub, Rita Ora, Glass Animals and Stromae have been confirmed.
Press contact:
Jasmin Azad | jasmin.azad@superneo.de | +49 157 80515488
superneo communication GmbH | www.superneo.de
AGF Announce Full Agenda for Green Events & Innovations Conference
AGF Announce Full Agenda for Green Events & Innovations Conference - Adapting to the New Climate
Green Events & Innovations Conference (GEI) is presented by AGF in partnership with the International Live Music Conference (ILMC)
The Green Events and Innovations Conference (GEI), the foremost conference for sustainable events, reveals the full schedule for its 15th edition. An agenda packed with heavyweight speakers, innovators and industry leaders in the global live music, sports and event sector. GEI will take place 28th February at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.
Sessions include the highly anticipated keynote conversation, with musician, visual artist and activist Brian Eno and Grammy-award-winning multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier, exploring ‘Music as a Social Synchronizer’, which will be hosted by Emma-Louise Amanshia (Presenter on BBC Radio 1 Relax). Plus Andy Cato (Wildfarmed, Groove Armada) and Ecotricity Founder Dale Vince OBE (who also owns all-vegan football club Forest Green Rovers) will discuss what makes what we eat sustainable in Food: Back to the Future; and research project ACT 1.5, which is supported by the hugely successful trip-hop collective Massive Attack and the Arts Council England (ACE), will share their critical learnings exploring the practical challenges of addressing emissions in the live music sector in ACT 1.5: Exclusive Research.
Five years on since the first Greener Tour panel, John Robb heads up a discussion that will look at what has changed, what can be changed, and the practicalities of trying to change the touring model. In The European Green Festival Roadmap 2030 session, Holger Jan Schmidt and Nikita Coulter will present the prototype of the roadmap that was announced by YOUROPE at last year’s GEI.
The Platinum Jubilee Pageant Case Study, hosted by author Sangeeta Waldron and Rosanna Machado, will review the sustainability actions and takeaways from this huge and iconic event, whilst in Carbon Offsets: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly, the remarkable Mark Stevenson highlights the minefield of the current carbon ‘offset’ market with so many ambiguous impact claims. Adapting to a New Climate Panel, hosted by Presenter Jonathan Overend (BBC/NinetyFour19), explores the impact of climate change on creating and delivering events with major festivals and The Met Office; and with rising temperatures and rising energy bills, the issue of fossil fuels couldn’t be more important, a topic we’ll be diving into in Moving on from Fossil Fuels where we’ll look at how to make your energy bills matter, hybrid temporary power systems to reduce fuel consumption, and getting event sites onto mains power.
The Switching on Your Audience - Creative Climate Communication panel, hosted by Presenter and Journalist Lucy Seigle, will discuss how organisations are engaging their audiences and fans and why brands should take responsibility for the planet, featuring examples of poster campaigns created for Greenpeace and WWF; while the Circularity: Turning Off the Tap on New session will see Jullia Davies of We Have the POWER share her ‘Less Rubbish’ vision and how the companies she invests in are making circular work.
The Association of Event Management Educators (AEME) will bring together a panel of leading event and sustainability researchers from across the UK to discuss the current and future direction of event and sustainability research in Moving forward sustainability theory, research and practice; and the Quick-Fire Innovation Round will see delegates present their unique and innovative sustainability ideas: how the team at Carnicycle are making carnival sustainable; The Green Room’s approach to sustainable tools for online music; FWRD’s innovative ways to improve bin use through gamification; GEIA’s ideas to support forest restoration; and how Again use technology to make reusable packaging more accessible than ever before.
And to round off a packed day of inspiring insight and conversation, the event closes with the International AGF Awards and a champagne toast to celebrate the most innovative and worthy events, venues, organisations and individuals from worldwide events over the last 12 months. It will be the 16th edition of the AGF Awards and all of those certified in 2022 will be celebrated, as the winners of the International AGF Awards 2023 are revealed.
View full event schedule here: https://www.agreenerfestival.com/gei-schedule/
More info and tickets here.
More information at agreenerfestival.com / @agreenerfestival
-ENDS-
Notes To Editors:
All confirmed speakers include (in alphabetical order);
Abena Fairweather (Legacy Marketplace), Adrian Bossey (Cornwall Business School and Falmouth University), Andy Cato (Wildfarmed/Groove Armada), Artur Mendes (Boom Festival / Being Gathering), Brian Eno (musician, producer, visual artist, and activist), Briony Whitaker (UWE Bristol), Carly McLachlan (Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research), Carol Scott (Tait), Cerise Cooper (Again), Chris Mastricci (FWRD), Clare Mackay (UWE Bristol), Dale Vince (Ecotricity/Forest Green Rovers F.C.), Daniel Baxter (Glasgow Caledonian University), Danii McLetchie (Carnicycle), Dave Ojay (NAAM Festival), Emma-Louise Amanshia (presenter on BBC Radio 1 Relax), Gwendolenn Sharp (The Green Room), Hannah Cox (betternotstop), Holgar Jan Schmidt (General Secretary YOUROPE), Jacob Collier (Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist), Jamal Chalabi (Backlash Productions/AGF), Jane Ali-Knight (Edinburgh Napier University), Jane Healy (Glastonbury/Boomtown), John Robb (Louder Than War/The Membranes), Jonathan Overend (BBC / NinetyFour19 ), Julia Davies (We Have The POWER), Lucy Siegle (author and journalist), Mark Donne (Writer and Producer), Mark Stevenson (CUR8), Michelle Molema (Greener Power, NL), Nikita Coulter (AGF), Ric Robins (Met Office), Richard Godsell (The O2), Rosanna Machado (Zebra), Thomas Richardson (GEIA), Sangeeta Waldron (Serendipity PR), Thomas Richardson (CEO of GEIA), Zed Anwar (Creative Art Director)
About AGF
AGF is a not-for-profit company and founders of the world's first sustainability standards for festivals and events. Committed to helping events, festivals and venues around the world to be greener, AGF provides certification, education and training, consultancy, resources and green riders, and facilitating the exchange of good ideas. They share information about how environmentally efficient methods are currently being employed at events and how the impact on the environment can be limited at future events. They offer independent assessment and verification of events and venues sustainability claims through the AGF certification for festivals, venues, tours and events. https://www.agreenerfestival.com
NTIA and Savenightife CIC launch the Night Safe Champion Programme
NTIA and Savenightife CIC launch the Night Safe Champion Programme - Welfare Engagement Accreditation and Training for Venues
NTIA and Savenightife CIC have joined forces with Safeguarding Nightlife to launch the new Night Safe Champion Programme, which will focus on the key challenges faced in the night time economy and hospitality communities. The programme will provide a new approach to accreditation and training that will lift professional standards of night time operations and provide educational pathways to meet these standards and cover topics such as Vulnerability Awareness, Sexual Harassment, Drugs and Alcohol Awareness, Spiking, Conflict Management, Working in Licensed Premises, an Inclusive Approach to Safeguarding, and of course the role and responsibilities of a Night Safe Champion, welfare engagement officer.
Through a consortium of partners, the Safeguarding Nightlife Accreditation programme aims to unite industry specialists to create a continuous life-cycle within which standards, education, assessment, benchmarking and engagement meet the defined needs of our diverse night time communities through the workforce. The programme has been built around the direct needs and challenges of our customers and workforce with great consideration given to the unique dynamic of our night time environment.
The Partnership will officially launch the Night Safe Champion Programme on the 10th February at the Night Time Economy Summit at E1 London amongst esteemed guests from the Music, Leisure and Entertainment Industries. Panellists Deborah Hewitt (Safeguarding Nightlife) Silvana Kill (Savenightlife CIC) Ian Graham (Metropolitan Police), Michelle Roycroft (Help Me Angela), Tamzin Lent (Where You At App) & Danny Clare (Ask for Clive) on the 10th February at 13.30pm will be discussing the importance of understanding the diverse needs of the customer, and in particular, how to support them when they are at their most vulnerable as well as the importance of addressing the challenges as a community.
The Night Safe Champion and Welfare Engagement Officer roles have been created to support people who find themselves in a position of vulnerability in the hospitality and night time economy spaces.The Night Safe Champion will be the central interface of support and guidance between customers, workforce, security and regulators. The role and responsibilities have been set to ensure direct support is available when people need it the most.
The programme will also take a blended learning approach which research has shown to be the most effective way to challenge and observe effective solutions to develop and change. Taking control of your own learning can bring a stronger sense of accomplishment and studies have shown that a blended learning style is best placed to support information sharing. Experienced tutor teams will be working closely with industry experts, helping us to take control and entrust our industry with the role of safeguarding our communities.
Mike Kill CEO NTIA Says
“Our industry has always advocated for the safety of our customers and our staff at night. businesses across the industry want to do everything possible to ensure that customers and staff are able to socialise and enjoy culture in safe spaces.”
“The accreditation scheme is a functional, yet versatile approach to blended learning, which can encompass existing training mechanisms across the country.”
“Possibly one of the most important parts of this initiative is the rolling assessment process and evaluation of the accreditation, and its impact on the environments we operate within.”
“As an industry the more our workforce is aware of safeguarding and vulnerability, the bigger part we play in reducing the crimes attached to vulnerability across wider society.”
Silvana Kill, Director Savenightlife CIC says
"We have listened to our communities and the challenges faced. We acknowledge that more needs to be done to ensure our customers and people feel safe. We understand that it takes more than writing policies, and placing well meaning posters. We need to do more.”
“Our aim is not just to increase awareness, but through collaboration, give back the confidence communities are presently lacking, and empower people to feel safeguarded and know what to do in a vulnerable situation.”
“This NTIA partnership we will allow us to share performance data with all music rights holders, as well as finally offering insight into music played to the respective venues and promoters.”
Deborah Hewitt Director Safeguarding Nightlife says
“Whilst designing the Night Safe Champion programme, we have brought in consultants who are experts in their field, bridging gaps to preset the most up-to-date and relevant initiatives, not only to safeguard and support our industry in taking control of their space but also to be mindful to ensure vulnerability is not misunderstood, instead empowering our community, with critical thinking to enable decision making to handle and navigate changing times.”
“Our aim at Safeguarding Nightlife is to maximise the impact of information by sharing best practices across the country, in line with local policy and standing as ambassadors to prepare and protect both our community and an industry that promotes a positive impact on our mental health, without our community coming together, through fear of vulnerability we would see a far higher fallout in family and workspaces alike. It's our job to nurture a positive impact on preparation to safeguard as this is about our industry being celebrated for generations to come.”
Notes to Editors:
Safeguarding Nightlife
Safeguarding Nightlife is a collaboration between various organisations and partners with the goal of setting and maintaining professional standards for night time operations.
The Accreditation program offers education, guidance, and support to meet these standards and provides a continuous cycle of professional development. The objective is to bring industry specialists together to meet the needs of customers and stakeholders.
First Aid Collective
The First Aid Collective - Emergency First Aid at Work qualification is the perfect choice to ensure that they are going above and beyond meeting the requirements of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations. The qualification meets the requirements for Emergency First Aid at Work as outlined in the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 and the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1982.
This face-to-face interactive qualification is required where employees are working in dangerous or high-risk environments and the potential of dealing with a catastrophic bleed is possible so additional training may be needed. This qualification more than meets that need.
We operate at the highest level of expertise and training delivery, and unlike others we have lived every scenario.
Programme Business Model
Pledge to the 5 commitments: We invest in safeguarding our nightlife communities.
We strive to ensure our spaces are safe.
We drive Best Practice in safeguarding vulnerable people.
We Advocate for Diversity.
We Promote Wellbeing
Complete an assessment - based around the competencies targeted within the core modules of the programme which focus on the key challenges faced in our hospitality communities: Vulnerability Awareness, Sexual Harassment, Drugs and Alcohol Awareness, Spiking, Conflict Management, Working in Licensed Premises, an Inclusive Approach to Safeguarding, and ofcourse the role and responsibilities of a Night Safe Champion, welfare engagement officer.
Receive a report based on current competencies with a training needs analysis
Meet and discuss recommendations and action plan a pathway to achieve Night Safe Champion Accreditation.
Yearly Review and Benchmark: Each Pledger is reviewed on an annual basis.
The programme is developed according to progress and feedback from:
Customers via Mystery Customer Programme
Staff via online opinion survey
Community impact analysis from other businesses and key stakeholders to help understand the bigger picture of your local community.
Recording data for review and improvement, with an annual industry research report.
NTIA Present the First UK Electronic Music Industry Report
The NTIA is proud to present the first ever UK Electronic Music Industry Report in collaboration with Audience Strategies, demonstrating the economic, community and cultural value of the electronic music industry and shines a light on the powerful impact of this genre on the nation.
Electronic music has become one of the most popular genres in the UK, with a significant impact on the music industry, the economy and the UK’s reputation worldwide. From recorded music and publishing to live concerts, events, and festivals, electronic music has taken the UK by storm and this new report explores the economic impact of electronic music including nightclubs, concerts, and festivals, as well as the benefits to communities and culture.
The main objective of the report is to work towards building funding mechanisms for artists and DJs, supporting grassroots electronic music venues and promoters and building a stronger platform for education to secure the industry in the future. The report also examines the impact of gentrification, licensing, and zoning regulations on the industry and the need to inspire the government and industry stakeholders to support the continued growth and success of electronic music and to help build a stronger platform for education, innovation, and community engagement.
Electronic music has had a significant impact on the UK economy, contributing to the music industry and providing employment opportunities. The UK is the second largest music exporter globally, with 10% of all music streams worldwide attributed to British musicians. Exports of recorded music from the UK hit a record high of £590.8 million in 2021, with £41.2 million being electronic music. Across recorded music, publishing, and exports, electronic music is worth £181.7 million. The total measurable economic impact of electronic music in the UK, including concerts, festivals, and nightclubs, is estimated at £2.63 billion.
Live electronic music, including concerts, events, and festivals, is a popular form of experiencing electronic music, with electronic music as the most common genre in UK festivals, making up 29% of artists performing (Rock: 22%, Pop: 21% are second and third). Over 2.4 million people attended UK festivals with electronic music in the last 12 months. Nightclubs provide a space for people to come together and experience music, generating significant revenue through tickets, drinks, and other products. The UK's electronic music education industry is also thriving, teaching the next generation about the history, evolution, and skills of producing and performing electronic music.
Key facts from the report:
- 2nd most popular genre in the UK Top 10. Electronic music overtook hip-hop and is behind only pop music
- 33% of the most popular artists in the world have ‘dance’ as one of the genres they produce, but not their primary genre
- £181.7 million: Electronic music in the UK is worth about £79.0m in recorded music and £40.7m in music publishing. We calculate that electronic music exports are worth £41.2m and that another £21.2m of publishing is earned on top, totalling £62.4m.
- 1st most popular genre in UK festivals. 29% of artists performing at UK festivals are electronic music artists
- 103 million nights out based on electronic music. Made up of 96.2m in nightclubs, 2.5m in festivals and 4.4m in electronic music concerts and events outside of festivals and nightclubs
- 29.3% of UK nightclubs have been lost since the pandemic. That’s 365 lost clubs
- 2.4 million people attended 145 UK festivals with electronic music on the bill in the last 12 months. 67% of these were ‘primarily electronic festivals
- £519.3 million is the economic value of festivals with electronic music on the lineup
- £272.3 million is the economic contribution of electronic music concerts and events outside of festivals and nightclubs
- £1,657.4 million is the economic contribution of electronic music nightclubs£2.6 billion is the total measurable impact of electronic music on the UK across recorded music, nightclubs, festivals and concerts
Michael Kill, NTIA CEO Says:
“Electronic music is one of the UK's understated phenomena, it shapes and embraces communities, educates, inspires and unites the UK with its unique form of culture.”
“For the last 2 years we have been formulating a strategy to deliver this report, alongside key stakeholders and leaders in this space, to substantiate the true economic, community and cultural value of the electronic music sector.”
The foundation of this work was born from the realisation during the pandemic that the Government has a limited understanding of the industry, but also considers the responsibility of the sector to educate decision makers.
“This was highlighted when the Government's financial support in the UK excluded electronic music in its scope, as part of the wider Cultural Recovery Fund through the Arts Council. Through the efforts of millions of electronic music supporters, we convinced the Government to recognise the importance of counter culture and include the sector in its support.”
“We hope that the Government, through industry insight, will have a greater understanding of the sector, and support it in a way that cements its future in British culture.”
Yousef Artist/DJ/Producer Says:
“The cultural, social and economic impact of electronic music globally for over 30 years simply can not be understated. For an industry that has been born from grassroots and an almost spontaneous counter culture movement, it's grown into the most wide reaching, accessible and dynamic music genre, possibly of all time.”
“No other genre offers such possibilities to literally all walks of life, from teen ravers in their bedrooms naively knocking out unexpected number ones, to the grammys (finally) embracing electronic music as the mainstream. The blend of raw music to polished, spirited to the A&R now roll more closely and simultaneously than ever. A scene that continues to evolve and prepare for the long term future while feeling like it's only just beginning.”
Electronic music not only brings financial gains, but also contributes to communities and culture. Nightclubs serve as a platform for local artists, inspiring creativity and artistic innovation and fostering inclusivity and tolerance. However, the UK's electronic music scene faces several challenges, such as licensing, zoning, and gentrification, which limit the number of electronic music nightclubs and increase their operational costs. There are significant concerns about the decline of physical spaces for electronic music and its impact on cultural significance. The future of electronic music in the UK will be determined by how these challenges are addressed. The report suggests that the UK government could support electronic music by appointing a nighttime advisor, reducing regulatory burdens, providing financial support, promoting the UK as a destination for electronic music, encouraging community involvement, investing in electronic music education, and addressing gentrification and redevelopment.
The report also highlights the benefits of electronic music and how it goes beyond just financial gains, contributing to communities and culture and serving as a platform for local artists and fostering inclusivity and tolerance. Let's support the electronic music scene and keep the UK economy dancing to the beat of electronic music.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
The report was commissioned by the NTIA and written by David Boyle of Audience Strategies, an agency that uses data to help artists and brands to understand their audiences and trends.
Nikki McNeill | Publicist for NTIA
Email: press@ntia.co.uk
Mobile: 07957 434517
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) is the leading trade body representing businesses in the Night Time Economy in the UK. It has more than 1400 members, including night clubs, bars, casinos, festivals, and supply chain businesses. The NTIA also holds commissions with Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.
Finalists Revealed for the 2023 International AGF Awards
AGF (A Greener Festival) reveals 29 events and arenas from 11 countries as finalists in the International AGF Awards 2023. Awards are given across 9 important sustainability categories, including power, water, food and travel, and the top accolade of the International Greener Festival Award 2023. The ceremony will be held on 28th February during the Green Events & Innovations Conference at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.
Finalists are selected from all AGF certified Greener Events, Greener Festivals and Greener Arenas over the last year, with top scores across key sustainability criteria. Applicants undergo a detailed assessment, site visits, and analysis by AGF auditors. To be eligible to enter the awards it is necessary to apply for certification and provide evidence such as fuel or electricity and water usage, waste transfer notes, transport measurements, material traceability, and survey data.
AGF CEO Claire O’Neill said “Congratulations to all of the finalists and nominees and huge thanks to all of the individuals who put in the work to make events, arenas and festivals greener. Since the beginning of the AGF Awards in 2007, this is the first year that we have arenas and even football and a royal pageant in the awards. Going greener is well and truly transcending barriers.”
And the Shortlists are:
International Greener Festival Award
(supported by STACK-CUP)
Cambridge Folk Festival (UK)
DGTL Festival Amsterdam (NL)
Green Gathering (UK)
Øya Festival (NO)
Paradise City (BE)
Pete The Monkey (FR)
Platinum Jubilee Pageant (UK)
Shambala Festival (UK)
We Love Green (FR)
Greener Transport Award
DGTL Festival Amsterdam (NL)
Luno presents All Points East (UK)
Øya Festival (NO)
Paradise City (BE)
Rosendal Garden Party (SE)
Walden Festival (BE)
WECANDANCE (BE)
We Love Green (FR)
Community Action Award
Green Gathering (UK)
Luno presents All Points East (UK)
Forest Green Rovers FC (UK)
Øya Festival (NO)
Platinum Jubilee Pageant (UK)
Robin Hood Annual Benefit (US)
Shambala Festival (UK)
Sonidos Liquidos (ES)
Circular Event Award
(for reduced waste & resourcefulness)
Boom Festival (PT)
Cambridge Folk Festival (UK)
DGTL Festival Amsterdam (NL)
Green Gathering (UK)
Øya Festival (NO)
Shambala Festival (UK)
Strawberry Fields (AU)
We Love Green (FR)
Greener Catering Award
DGTL Festival Amsterdam (NL)
elrow Town (NL)
Forest Green Rovers FC (UK)
Green Gathering (UK)
Platinum Jubilee Pageant (UK)
Shambala Festival (UK)
Strafwerk Festival (NL)
WoNDeRFeeL (BE)
Greener Power Award
Cambridge Folk Festival (UK)
DGTL Festival Amsterdam (NL)
Elrow Town (NL)
Green Gathering (UK)
Leopallooza (UK)
Øya Festival (NO)
Shambala Festival (UK)
SWR3 New Pop Festival (DE)
Pied Piper Award
(for Greener Communication)
Boom Festival (PT)
DGTL Festival Amsterdam (NL)
Forest Green Rovers FC (UK)
Greenbelt Festival (UK)
Øya Festival (NO)
Platinum Jubilee Pageant (UK)
Shambala Festival (UK)
Sonidos Liquidos (ES)
AGF Water & Sanitation Award
(supported by Loowatt)
American Express presents BST Hyde Park (UK)
Boom Festival (PT)
DGTL Festival Amsterdam (NL)
Paradise City (BE)
Pete the Monkey (FR)
Primavera Sound (ES)
Strawberry Fields (AU)
We Love Green (FR)
Greener Innovations Award
Global Broadcast @ Atlantis Concert for Earth (PT)
Biological Water Treatment @ Boom Festival (PT)
Inflatable Recycling @ elrowTown (NL)
Moon Loos @ Green Gathering (UK)
Green Mobility Plan @ Paradise City (BE)
Bike Rally @ Pete The Monkey (FR)
Summer Daze @ The O2 (UK)
WomenInFan Initiative @ Sitges Film Festival (ES)
Farmers Brunch @ WECANDANCE (BE)
The International AGF Award ceremony is accessible and takes place during GEI, organised by AGF in partnership with the ILMC (International Live Music Conference).
Limited tickets are available here Green Events & Innovations Conference.
Notes to Editors
About AGF
AGF is a not-for-profit company and founders of the world's first sustainability standards for festivals and events. Committed to helping events, festivals and venues around the world to be greener, AGF provides certification, education and training, consultancy, resources and green riders, and facilitating the exchange of good ideas. They share information about how environmentally efficient methods are currently being employed at events and how the impact on the environment can be limited at future events. They offer independent assessment and verification of events and venues sustainability claims through the AGF certification for festivals, venues, tours and events. https://www.agreenerfestival.com
Category descriptions
AGF Greener Transport Award
One of the biggest impacts of many temporary events. Audience, production, crew and artists with our transport sector still staggeringly carbon heavy, who’s reducing their carbon footprint, facilitating green travel, and still delivering the party!
AGF Greener Catering Award
Food is such a significant issue for sustainability for its ethical and environmental impacts both globally and locally. By consciously crafting our consumption choices and what we support with our bellies, we can make some huge strides toward a more sustainable relationship between one another and our planet.
AGF Greener Power Award
Event power is a hot topic in the realm of sustainability, and costs, and is also a hotbed for innovation. This award goes to the event that has successfully maximised their energy efficiency and adopted a power source that has the lowest impact on the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
AGF Community Action Award
A strong connection with the local community and sense of community within the event or venue is celebrated here. This award recognises those demonstrating outstanding social inclusion, action for unity and acceptance between people, and positive projects that provide benefit to others beyond the event itself.
AGF Circular Award
This one goes to the event that has demonstrated a firm grasp of the need to close the loop on their resources flow. Every item that comes into the event or venue ultimately has a plan above disposal. Preventing waste, reusing, recycling and demonstrating the full traceability of all materials coming in and out of the event.
AGF Water & Sanitation Award
The winner of this award has shown clear environmental consideration in their water usage and sanitation provisions, by reducing water usage and waste, minimising production and poo mileage, eliminating unnecessary chemicals and separating liquid waste streams to allow natural biological processes to harness valuable nutrients and conserve water.
AGF Greener Innovation Award
This goes to the outstanding innovation, initiative or invention that has been a game changer in the green event space, that has disrupted business as usual or has given a new solution to help turn something problematic into something good. This award can go to either an event and individual or a supplier that has stood out the most from the global event assessments.
AGF Pied Piper Award (Greener Communications)
Who has the silver tongue and skips along like the pied piper, luring unsuspecting victims to a greener way?! This award goes to the event that has had an excellent communication and PR plan which has resulted in significant cultural or behavioural changes for the greener good within and beyond their event!