Bring Me The Horizon First post-pandemic arena tour reduces tour emissions by 38%
In September 2021, Bring Me The Horizon - Post Human Tour was the first arena tour in the UK since the pandemic.
The intention was to emerge with a more sustainable touring approach and the BMTH touring team and stakeholders took steps to put the positive words into action. Taking place from 20th - 26th Sept, this was the first tour to actually achieve the aspirational reductions of touring, with emissions reduced by 38% through using renewable fuel for trucks, plant-based meals, food waste reduction, energy efficient equipment, and the use of 3322 plastic bottles prevented through back of house and tour bus use of water coolers and plastic bottle ban.
- Unprecedented collaboration between stakeholders for the purpose of sustainability
- 38% reduction in touring production emissions
- 27.97 tonnes of CO2e were avoided
- 22 tonnes avoided by switching trucking fuel to HVO Renewable Diesel
- 3,322 plastic bottles prevented
- Culture change is essential to achieve a green future for artist touring.
This was an unprecedented collaboration, all tour stakeholders shared investment and commitment to reducing negative impacts of the tour where possible, identify which reductions were not possible, share findings for future improvements in the live industry, and finally remove unavoidable residual emissions. Raw Power Management, United Talent Agency (UTA), Promoter Kilimanjaro, and venue The O2 Arena shared the cost of sustainability implementation advice and tour impact audit. The band invested into recommended mitigation efforts, reducing tour emissions and associated negative impacts. The action was championed by the Tour Production Group (TPG) and A Greener Festival (AGF) who are contributors to the LIVE Beyond Zero Declaration for Net Zero emissions in the Live music and entertainment sector by 2030.
Sustainability experts AGF joined the tour to provide advice and consultancy, to implement and report upon proposed mitigation actions producing this Greener Tour Report and CO2 Analysis.
The report not only provides insight for the BMTH touring team to monitor achievements, areas for improvement, and required emissions removals, but is also a resource for other touring productions to use as another step on the road towards A Greener Tour.
Matt Ash, Raw Power Management said:
“Working with an artist in BMTH and a tour production team that was fully behind the approach to sustainable touring was something that we absolutely endorsed and are keen to implement on all future touring whenever possible.”
Claire O’Neill, CEO, AGF said:
“During the pandemic, the touring music industry came together on the important topic of sustainability. We’re so happy with the results from walking the talk with the first UK Arena Tour off the mark. The report shows a direct link between well-being, stress, and environmental sustainability. Culture change and industry restructuring is essential to achieve a green future for artist touring. There is much still to be done, but these results are undeniable evidence that we can take huge strides to reduce emissions and protect ecosystems immediately. There’s no excuse to delay”
Alan Day, Promoter, Kilimanjaro / Action! said:
“Bring Me The Horizon were the first band in the UK, possibly the world, to complete a full non-rescheduled arena tour after the height of the pandemic. Their vision from the start was to produce the tour as environmentally friendly as possible, whilst still giving the audience the best spectacle achievable. From savings in plastic waste, to transport, to accommodation, to stage production and more, I am proud to have produced such a landmark tour and hopefully an example for the future”.
Steve Sayer, VP & GM of The O2 added:
“The O2 were delighted to collaborate with all the other partners on this important project to build back a more sustainable touring and live music industry. Venues are a big part of the live ecosystem and we are keen to learn how we can further reduce our footprint as we develop our plans to get to net zero; and support the tours do the same. Credit to BMTH for taking the lead on this and showing us the way.”
The stakeholder collaboration will continue beyond this first action, to ensure that all future tours not only implement these positive findings, but continue to find, implement and share solutions for a Greener Tour. The next step is to engage the audience. With the touring “house” getting itself order, artists are in a stronger position to use their voice to engender positive change through the millions of individuals who they reach every year.
Notes to Editors:
Photo Credit: Conor McDonnell
Link to download the full report here: https://www.agreenerfestival.com/bring-me-the-horizon-post-human-tour-report/
The report takes into account aspects of the tour in immediate control and influence of the touring production. Audience travel is not included. AGF does include audience travel in Greener Arena and Venue programmes, and it is recommended to include this in partnership with venues and promoters for future Greener Tour actions.
About AGF
AGF is a not-for-profit company committed to helping events, festivals and venues around the world adopt environmentally efficient practises. AGF provide certification, education and training, consultancy, resources and green riders, 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 sustainability claims through the AGF Awards for festivals, venues, tours and events.
About Kilimanjaro
Formed in 2008, Kilimanjaro Live is a live music and entertainment events promoter and producer, staging over 700 very diverse shows each year covering music concerts, musical theatre, comedy, spoken word, festivals, and more, and working with shows and artists as diverse as Ed Sheeran, Andrea Bocelli, Bring Me The Horizon, Belladrum festival, Kew the Music, and Live at Chelsea. Kilimanjaro is driven to establish effective, collaborative and productive long-term partnerships, continually providing our partners with the best and most comprehensive services to ensure success.
About the O2
The O2 is the world’s most popular music, entertainment and leisure venue and has been visited by over 100 million people since opening in 2007. Playing host to over 400 events a year, The O2 is home to The O2 arena which is globally recognised as one of the world’s most iconic venues to play, and club sized music venue indigo at The O2. A full day-out destination, there’s plenty to explore at The O2 including Up at The O2, a climbing experience across the world famous roof; Icon Outlet, one of London’s most exciting retail destinations with up to 70% off 60 superstar brands; TOCA Social – an interactive football experience; BOOM BATTLE BAR – a gaming battleground featuring Axe Throwing, Shuffleboard, Digital Darts and more; Cineworld, London’s largest cinema with 19 screens; the 12-lane boutique Hollywood Bowl; Oxygen Freejumping trampoline park; immersive dining experience Mamma Mia! The Party; interactive photo experiences Selfie Factory and Tikky Town, and over 30 bars and restaurants.
About Raw Power Management
Representing some of the loudest acts on the planet, Raw Power enters its fifteenth year at the height of its pedigree; with more than twenty groups of the most vital performers, producers, and songwriters in the world. With offices in London and Los Angeles, always firmly rooted in its punk and DIY ethos, Raw Power’s ability to deliver world-class entertainment is undeniable. Whether that be in nurturing young talent, establishing the next major festival headline act, or supporting the heroes of millions, we invest our expertise in those whose passion reflects our own.
About UTA (Taken from FB)
United Talent Agency is a premier global talent and literary agency representing many of the world's most acclaimed figures in every current and emerging area of entertainment and media, including motion pictures, television, digital, broadcast news, legit theater, video games, books, music, and live entertainment. The agency is also globally recognized in the areas of film finance, film packaging, branding, licensing, endorsements and representation of production talent. UTA additionally provides corporate consulting, venture funding and strategic advisory services to companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. UTA operates the brand strategy agency UTA Brand Studio and owns market-leading broadcast news agency Bienstock.
Press inquiries contact:
Nikki McNeill | Global Publicity
nikki@globalpublicity.co.uk
Amsterdam Dance Event presents: Dance is a Rave-olution
ADE releases the short film ‘Dance is a Rave-olution’, taking you on a short journey celebrating the intrinsic value of club culture, electronic music, raving, and all the unique connections we make in between. As we’re getting ready to kick off the road to ADE 2022, the documentary perfectly captures the almost indescribable expression of freedom and personality on dance floors all over the globe.
- Shot during Amsterdam Dance Event 2021 – Featuring Colin Benders, Honey Dijon, Hyperaktivist, Luke Slater and Octo Octa, among others. -
The film is set to premiere here on YouTube (preferred) / here on Facebook.
Words can’t express how grateful we are for our incredible scene and its many different participants, finally connecting with one another once again on the dance floor during our long-awaited return to Amsterdam last October. We can’t wait to come back this year in full force to turn the entire city black and yellow again.
ADE is back October 19 — 23, 2022
There is one last chance to pre-register for this year's ADE Pro Pass and ensure the lowest possible rate before ticket sales go live very soon.
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Credits:
Directed by Blitzkickers - Anna Bogomolova
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In collaboration with Nicky Pajkić, Connor Schumacher and Majon van der Schot
DOP: Nicky Pajkić
Camera operators: Nicky Pajkić — Maik Diederen — Kevin Schenker — Marc Scherpenzeel
Edit: Anna Bogomolova & Nicky Pajkić
Color grading: Giovanni de Deugd
Original composition & sound-design: Kenny Kneefel
Music:
Shoal — Turning Around
Animistic Beliefs — Live Set Excerpt
Reptant — Transcendents From The Outer Sphere
LSG — Hearts
Nikolai — Ready To Flow
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Shot during Amsterdam Dance Event 13 October — 17 October 2021
Portugal’s first Showcase Festival & Music Industry Conference, Westway LAB returns in April 2022
Westway LAB Presents future models for European artistic co-creation for 2022 Edition
Taking place from 6th to 9th April 2022 in Guimarães, Westway LAB, Portugal’s first Showcase Festival & Pro Music Conference, returns to its physical format for the first time after two hybrid editions under pandemic restrictions.
The 9th edition looks towards its earlier defining moments as it approaches its first decade as a ground-breaking event, creating unique artistic creative experiences: Westway LAB is as much about creation, and the creative process, as it is about the music business and its commerce.
This is highlighted by three EU project presentations that are part of the Westway PRO conference this year: Europe in Synch 2.0, European Ghosts and MC&S Labs are all Music Moves Europe projects that present future models for European artistic co-creation, whereas Westway’s Creative Europe Cooperation Projects ETEP and INES are aimed at circulation.
This edition will also take a closer look at the ecology of co-creation and as a concrete action that is part of this philosophy that Westway LAB has adopted since its foundation in 2014, there will be 6 co-creation projects that unite artists from Portugal and the European continent. As always, the resulting showcases will be free concerts so that these unique moments, where new material is performed live for the very first time, are totally accessible.
The PRO Conference will also take a special look into key areas of the music sector and once again promises prominent speakers from the national and international music industry, whose professional experience and life experience enriches the panels and keynotes. WHY Portugal will also present a conference programme focused on the internationalization of Portuguese music, with showcases from new Portuguese artists ready to take their first steps in building careers abroad.
The Festival will feature over 20 concerts distributed by 3 stages of the Centro Cultural Vila Flor plus another 5 stages throughout the city, enabling for the circulation of the public around the urban centre, looking for new (musical) revelations. Names to be announced soon.
Rui Torrinha, artistic director of the festival says:
“Arriving at its 9th edition, we have been able to process and fine-tune many of the experiences undertaken along the way, so as to adjust the open, evolution-based model we adopted for the event. Westway LAB proposes a complex ecosystem built on simplicity: to live by the music, in a Cultural Heritage landmark city that was European Capital of Culture in 2012, immersed in a process of fruition of different cultures and realities that potentiate the human imagination from artistic creation to the circulation of knowledge.”
“This edition accentuates the power of creation as a strategic direction of the event, and places artists - of every generation - on the frontline. Names will be announced soon, and will reveal first rank names from historic Portuguese artists as well as the Next Generation that is now tasked with continuing to write the musical history of our times.”
Westway LAB is also a major platform enabling the Portuguese music industry to work in a networked way, partnering with organisations such as AMAEI, GDA, WHY Portugal, ESNS Exchange, Antena 3, Keychange and MERLIN, helping raise new horizons and find creative solutions in challenging, uncertain times. Over the years, Westway LAB Keynotes have included a top-notch list of stellar names from the three sectors of the international music industry: live music, recorded music and music publishing including; Peter Jenner, Keith Harris, Helen Smith, Charles Caldas, Fruzsina Szep, Daryl Bamonte, Roberta Medina, Rob Challice and others.
More info and tickets here: https://westwaylab.com/
Westway PRO will take place in a hybrid format, with the physical event located at the Palácio Vila Flor in Guimarães and online access via the digital platform that will announce the program mid-February: https://hopin.com/events/westway-lab
Notes to Editors:
About Westway LAB
Co-Founded in 2014 by A Oficina’s Rui Torrinha and AMAEI’s Nuno Saraiva, Westway LAB went beyond what a traditional showcase festival and conference generally does, and following Torrinha’s vision added a co-creation component of creative artist residencies bringing together Portuguese and international writers to write, compose and create together in an environment of absolute creative freedom - presenting brand new music, created in Guimarães each year premiered at the festival.
The same creative thinking flowed into the Westway LAB PRO conference, opening the doors to a free exchange of ideas between professionals and musical artists in several cafés and underground spots around Guimarães. This special boutique festival dynamic, in turn, led to Westway LAB being the genesis for several EU projects under Music Moves Europe (Europe in Synch, European Ghosts, and others). Westway LAB was also the first Portuguese festival to join ETEP (Now ESNS Exchange), which in turn led to Portugal being invited as the 2017 Focus Country at ESNS - Eurosonic Noorderslag.
NTIA Announce First Night Time Economy Summit in Conjunction with Bristol Nights & Savenightlife
The first edition of the NTIA Night Time Economy Summit is set to take place from the 7th & 8th April 2022 at Bristol Beacon in conjunction with Bristol Nights & Savenightlife CIC.
Night Time Economy businesses across the UK have been at the sharpest end of the pandemic, but throughout this crisis have shown true community spirit. The summit will aim to continue to bring the sector together to collectively debate, as well as share experiences but more importantly give businesses the opportunity to reset, reflect and work from ground zero, and effect change for a better future.
The sector has suffered massively, with many businesses and livelihoods lost, but even in the face of adversity, the industry has emerged with a renewed sense of community, resilience and an ability to adapt and overcome any crisis together.
Says NTIA CEO Michael Kill
“At this point we felt it vitally important that we benchmark this moment with a summit, where our community can come together, some to meet for the first time outside of there virtual realm, an opportunity for operators, regulators, creators, entrepreneurs to come together and share, learn and build a stronger, more resilient industry for the future.”
Carly Heath NTE Advisor Bristol says
“We have a phenomenal history of night culture across the West Country, with some amazing talent, events and venues throughout. Bristol is renowned for its musical diversity and sound system culture, so it seems quite right that we celebrate this alongside the NTIA & Savenightlife this year. We are extremely excited to welcome the industry from across the UK as part of the summit.“
The two day event will include over 100 speakers with panels and workshops featuring innovators and entrepreneurs from across the sector.
Speakers include; Sacha Lord (Night Time Economy Advisor Greater Manchester), Jenni Cochrane (Getahead) Simon Dunmore (CEO Defected), David Lucas (IOL), Yousef (Circus Records), Philip Kolvin QC, Mark David’s (Music Venue Trust) Mike Grieve (Sub Club), Carly Heath (Night Time Economy Advisor Bristol) Michael Kill CEO (NTIA) Steve Braines (He.She.They) Brandon Block (DJ) Rob Masterson (Mustard Media) Maria May (CAA) Katy Ellis (Anglo Management) Peter Marks CEO (Rekom) Clare O’Neill (Greener Festivals) Steve Alton (BII) Ariel Palitz (NYC Nightlife Advisor) Michael Rodriguez (24hr Commissioner NSW) Lutz Leichsenring (Vibe Lab) Julie Tippins (DHP Family).
More speakers and panel topics will be announced soon.
This journey starts on the 7th & 8th April 2022 at Bristol Beacon in conjunction with Bristol City Council & Bristol Nights
Register on the Link below for Ticket Information:
https://nighttimeeconomysummit.com
AGF Reveal Festivals and Events Reducing Their Environmental Impact
Not for Profit organisation A Greener Festival (AGF) has revealed the results of their industry leading green event certification for 2021, which highlights festivals and events striving to reduce waste and emissions and enhance equality and ecosystems and commends those who have achieved high standards in sustainability and reduced their environmental impact.
Launched in 2007, the AGF Awards is a pioneering certification setting the standard for sustainable events. Each application involves a detailed self assessment, on-site independent audit, post event supporting evidence analysis, and recommendations for improvements. The standards have been developed over 15 years in consultation with 1000s of events, event services, suppliers and sustainability experts across key areas assessed. The assessment includes power, transport, material usage, water and sanitation, local ecosystems and community, CO2 emissions, communication, behaviour change and management systems.
The certification criteria is reviewed annually based upon best event industry and sustainability practice, and latest scientific knowledge and consensus. Environmental metrics are in line with the Science Based Targets for keeping global warming below 1.5degrees. In 2021 new work such as the Tyndall Report commissioned by Massive Attack, and the LIVE Beyond Zero Declaration are incorporated for further specific targets, recommendations and alignment in the live events industry.
To receive A Greener Festival or Event Award it is necessary for events to apply for an assessment and provide evidence such as fuel or electricity and water usage, waste transfer notes, transport measurements, procurements policies and traceability, and survey data. To be awarded AGF certification, applicants need to address set requirements, and based on their performance against these, can be graded Improvers, Commended, Highly Commended and Outstanding. Assessments are completed by trained sustainable event auditors and recommendations made for improvements year on year.
The AGF Awards are open and applicable to all types and durations of events including multi venue city events, sports, business, music and hospitality, Since 2021 the AGF Awards are also available to Tours, Arenas and Venues including outdoor Parks and Outdoor Event Spaces.
Other important developments further increasing into 2022 are the requirements for health & wellbeing, and equality, diversity and inclusion action by applicants.
The Awards will be presented during the Green Events & Innovations Conference (GEI 14) and International Live Music Conference (ILMC 34) on Friday 29th April at the Royal Garden Hotel, London.
AGF CEO Claire O’Neill said:
“We’re impressed by these events that not only took place in 2021, which was a feat in itself, but also maintained and developed their actions to reduce negative environmental impacts and enhance positive community impacts. We’re happy to be able to award this certification. Record numbers of events worldwide have applied for AGF certification in 2022. This shows the appetite and need for genuine action for sustainability, and the expectation from audiences and local authorities alike for events to prove their minimum environmental standards.”
Gilles De Decker, co-founder Paradise City Festival said:
"Claiming you are sustainable means taking responsibility. AGF has been auditing Paradise City Festival for several editions now and it is thanks to their valuable feedback and detailed analysis of the ecological footprint of our festival that we can improve year by year. So this recognition as one of the most sustainable festivals worldwide means a lot to our team."
Joel Atchinson, Regenerative Design & Co Founder, Deep Tropics said:
“Working in collaboration with the AGF team was incredibly rewarding and expansive! Even with the great success of producing a climate positive event, the depth of their survey and data collection revealed several blindspots of which we are very grateful to have identified. We feel like our team has a clearer roadmap, and a more refined approach to build on into 2022 and beyond!”
Festivals and events making the grade in 2021 are:
Paradise City (Belgium)
"Outstanding" A Greener Festival Award 2021
elrow Town (Netherlands)
"Highly Commended" A Greener Festival Award 2021
Cridem pel Clima (Spain)
“Commended” A Greener Festival Award 2021
Deep Tropics (USA)
"Commended" A Greener Festival Awards 2021
Festival de la Luz (Spain)
“Commended” A Greener Festival Award 2021
Lost Village (UK)
"Improvers" A Greener Festival Award 2021
Madblue (Spain)
“Improvers” A Greener Festival Award 2021
South Summit (Spain)
“Improvers” A Greener Event Award 2021
Notes to Editors
AGF is a not-for-profit company committed to helping events, festivals and venues around the world adopt environmentally efficient practises.
AGF provide certification, education and training, consultancy, resources and green riders, 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 sustainability claims through the AGF Awards for festivals, venues, tours and events.
The AGF Awards are a certification scheme, which has operated since 2007 assessing over 650 events and festivals worldwide, since branching to assess tours, arenas, sports events and hospitality. A list of previous AGF award winners can be found here.
The Green Events & Innovations Conference (GEI) is A Greener Festival’s annual flagship event delivered in partnership with the International Live Music Conference (ILMC) in London. It has been running for 14 years and welcomes delegates and speakers who are leaders in the events industry and sustainability.
Press enquiries contact:
Nikki McNeill | Global Publicity
nikki@globalpublicity.co.uk
The First 68 Acts Announced For Lowlands 2022 - Arctic Monkeys, Stromae, Jungle, Liam Gallagher, Mahalia, Sam Fender, Slowthai, Tash Sultana and more
| ‘A Campingflight to Lowlands Paradise’ is back for 2022 with an impressive selection of artists covering a wide range of genres in their first wave announcement with headliners including; Arctic Monkeys, The Opposites, Stromae, Balthazar, Bring Me The Horizon, Glass Animals, James Blake, Jungle, Lewis Capaldi, Liam Gallagher, Mahalia, Michael Kiwanuka, Pendulum (live), Noord Nederlands Orkest, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Sam Fender, slowthai, Tash Sultana. Taking place from 19 to 21 August at Walibi Holland in Biddinghuizen, A Campingflight To Lowlands Paradise is Hollands biggest most adventurous cultural outdoor event, that maintains an intimate vibe and friendly atmosphere as a township with thousands of inhabitants arises in the middle of the country for the festival. Ticket sales start Saturday 12th February at 11:00 CET via Ticketmaster. You will need to be fast as Lowlands is always a sellout! Just over an hour drive or train journey from Amsterdam ‘A Campingflight To Lowlands Paradise’ is exactly what it promises to be: a true backpacker’s Garden Of Eden with an extensive program with a cutting edge choice of only the best in alternative music, film, stand-up comedy, visual arts, literature and street theatre. As well as the heavyweight headliners, trailblazers, impressive installations including the Armadillo featuring the renowned chimney stacks Lowlands has no less than twelve stages (among which a cinema and theatre), going by the names of Alpha, Bravo, Heineken, Lima, Juliet, X-Ray, Echo, which are all covered too, so you can enjoy all the music and entertainment come rain or shine. Lowlands also prides itself in supplying top notch facilities for visitors in a way British festivals can’t seem to match. There’s a wellness village with saunas, hot tubs and sports facilities, dozens of restaurants from all corners of the earth, food and drink stalls, a large market with everything from clothes and vinyl stores to a barber’s shop, its own currency, a local radio station, a daily newspaper (Dutch only) and, last but not least: seven luxury campsites with flushable toilets, hot showers and dressing tables. You really can have it all and camp in comfort and style. A Campingflight To Lowlands Paradise really is the ultimate summer holiday extravaganza! Line Up Amelie Lens | Arctic Monkeys | Arlo Parks | AURORA | Bab L’ Bluz | BADBADNOTGOOD | Balthazar | Bring Me The Horizon | Cavetown | Channel Tres | Chloe Moriondo | cleopatrick | Daði Freyr | David Keenan | DE'WAYNE | Eefje de Visser | Ela Minus | FEVER 333 | Floating Points | Four Tet | Fred again.. | Froukje | Geese | Glass Animals | Goldband | Hang Youth | Headie One | Hope Tala | James Blake | Joe & The Shitboys | Jungle | jxdn | Kamal. | Kelly Lee Owens | KI/KI | The Lathums | Lewis Capaldi | Liam Gallagher | Loshh | Mahalia | Mdou Moctar | Michael Kiwanuka | Minyo Crusaders | The Murder Capital | Noah Cyrus | Noisia Sluit Af | Noord Nederlands Orkest | Nova Twins | NU GENEA (full band) | The Opposites | Overmono (live) | Palaye Royale | Parquet Courts | Pendulum (live) | PinkPantheress | Q | RÜFÜS DU SOL | Sad Night Dynamite | Sam Fender | Sevdaliza | shame | Sidi Wacho | slowthai | Stromae | Tash Sultana | Togo All Stars | Wet Leg | Yard Act |
Ticket sale
The ticket sales start Saturday 12th February at 11:00. Tickets available via Ticketmaster (and include festival entry, camping + shuttle bus from / to railway station or Dronten Lelystad. 3 days tickets are available from €155at www.lowlands.nl/english
Camping and Glamping
Your festival ticket includes camping at the seven luxury campsites with flushable toilets and hot showers. There are also plenty of affordable camping and gllamping options from basic tent packages to teepees, wooden huts or caravans. Perfect if you don’t want to carry all your camping gear with you and for a stress free festival experience Book now here: http://gllamcamp.nl/en
Connect
Website www.lowlands.nl/english
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LowlandsFest
Twitter @Rapid_Razor_Bob
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lowlands_fest/
15 Years of Global Publicity and 25 Years in the Music Biz!
15 Years of Global Publicity and 25 Years in the Music Biz!
A few words from founder and CEO Nikki McNeill…
I don’t usually shout about my achievements, but after enduring almost 2 years of the pandemic it feels even more special to have reached these career milestones. A massive thank you to everyone who has helped me, supported me, and believed in me during the past 25 years. I feel honoured to be part of such an amazing music industry community.
In 2007 I took the brave step to go it alone and launch Global Publicity and after 15 years I am proud to still be working on so many exciting and inspiring projects, alongside so many talented and passionate people.
My brother was a big influence in my love of music and I used to record his vinyl onto cassettes when he was out and think I was the coolest kid ever playing tracks like M|A|R|R|S ‘Pump up the Volume’ loud on my Sony Walkman at school. He took me to my first ever music festival, which was ‘Knebworth 90’ when I was 15 and I wish he could see me now and how he helped shape the career I now have. I miss sharing that with him.
Originally I wanted to be a radio dj after being inspired by Kiss FM and having a show on my local university radio station when I was 17 called the ‘Bassline Breakdown’. However, after graduating from Manchester Uni with a 2:1 and many nights partying at Cream and The Hacienda, I worked my way up the ranks at various record labels and DJ agencies, before branching out on my own.
I am grateful for the experiences and knowledge I have gained from the people I have worked with during my career, trying my hand at everything from press, club promo and radio plugging. While working at Pioneer I helped launch a new record label and worked with artists such as BT, John Digweed, and the Renaissance label and during my time at Neo I worked on the first track to be signed from an MP3 which was Darude ‘Sandstorm’. In the era when DJ’s became celebrities and rockstars in their own right, I worked for one of the first female booking agency owners Rachel Birchwood, who had an amazing roster of artists including Pete Tong, Jeff Mills, Smokin Jo and Danny Rampling.
In the early noughties, I was one of the first PR's to work with international events and festivals to promote them to audiences outside their own country and raising their profile on a global stage. I've generated a wealth of quality and impactful media coverage that has reached billions of music fans and festivalgoers around the world, working with talented journalists, bloggers, broadcasters and videographers.
It has been incredibly inspiring to have worked with such a variety of creative and award winning clients, everything from large scale B2B conferences and showcase events like ADE and ESNS, major international festivals including EXIT, Lowlands, Melt!, Rhythm & Vines and Sziget as well as representing some of the most well respected and forward thinking artists including Dave Clarke, Dubfire, Octave One and Richie Hawtin.
I am so grateful that my work has allowed me to travel the globe, enabling me to learn about the music scene and cultures in many different countries, making new friends and colleagues along the way, many who are still my friends today. I feel very lucky to have experienced so many press trips with such amazing people who have helped to create magical moments that will stay with me forever.
It hasn't always been easy and running your own business is hard. You only have yourself to rely on, but I believe that my work ethic of always being honest and professional has served me well and got me to where I am today. There are so many things I wish I’d have known beforehand and it was a steep learning curve Yoo have to be the boss, the worker, the administrator, the accountant and so much more. While writing this I’d also like to give a special mention to Clare Dover who was my right arm at Global for so many years, helping the business grow and supporting me through the highs and lows.
Working in the music industry is a lot of extra hours and often weekends too, so it’s really rewarding to gain some recognition for your hard work and in 2010 I was the winner of the ‘Best Independent PR Company Person’ award and Nominated for ‘Best Independent PR Company’ in Record of the Day Music Journalism & PR Awards and then in 2021 I made it onto the esteemed shesaid.so Alt list 100.
As my career and business has grown, I have chosen to only work with clients I am really passionate about, which I feel gives me an authentic voice that rises above the rest. I feel that I really need to care and believe in what I am doing, which is a feeling that was accentuated during the coronavirus pandemic.
After being introduced to Night Time Industries Association in 2020 and helping to promote many campaigns to support the music industry and the night time economy, I found this was something that I really felt passionate about and have continued, now being part of the Association of Electronic Music Executive Board. The music and events industry is something I love being part of and giving back and helping the next generation is also important to me. I also run the Brighton Chapter of shesaid.so and am on the board for Moving The Needle supporting women and gender minorities in the music industry.
In a more recent project I have revisited my radio roots and started my own podcast 'Meet Me Backstage', where I shine the light on the talented and inspiring people I have met and worked with during my career.
I feel I have so much more to give to the industry and am looking forward to new challenges where I can continue to grow, help others and use my creativity. There are so many more things I still want to do and achieve.
Here’s to many more years doing what I love!
Nikki x
Winners of the 2022 Music Moves Europe Awards Announced
These are the winners of the 2022 Music Moves Europe Awards
The prestigious Grand Jury Prize was awarded to Meskerem Mees (Belgium) and the Public Choice award was won by Ladaniva (Armenia). Denise Chaila (Ireland), ДEVA (Hungary), Mezerg (France), Blanks (Netherlands), and Alina Pash (Ukraine) are the five winners of the Music Moves Europe Awards 2022.
This annual prize for popular and contemporary music co-funded by the European Union celebrates emerging artists who represent the European sound of today and tomorrow. Previous winners of the Music Moves Europe Awards include Rosalía, Meduza, Bishop Briggs, Aya Nakamura, girl in red and Pale Waves.
Quotes from the jury
Winners of the Music Moves Europe Awards were selected by an expert jury consisting of Gemma Bradley (BBC Radio 1), Cindy Castillo (Mad Cool Festival), Kevin Cole (KEXP), Bryan Johnson (Spotify), and honorary jury member Alyona Alyona (Public Choice Winner 2021).
About the nominees: "It was amazing to discover so many talented European artists. It made our task very rewarding but also challenging. Although all nominees surprised us with the excellent musical diversity and artistry.”
About Meskerem Mees: “We were unanimous in choosing the winner of the Grand Jury Music Moves Europe Award 2022. Authentic, Mystical and timeless with a beautiful voice. Meskerem Mees stands out, with her soulful songs and impeccable performance. She just has it!"
About Alina Pash: “Really exciting and unique artist. I can really tell what she stands for straight away.”
About Blanks: “Super catchy sophisticated synth pop with echoes of the 80s. Not just in the artistry and recording, but in the songwriting too.”
About Denise Chaila: “Smart lyrics, a real passion and strength when performing. One of the most exciting artists on this year“
About Дeva: “Loved the atmospheric feel she brings to her tracks, and has a really ethereal voice.”
About Mezerg: “He is doing something crazy! Good show, good music, good at all!”
Prize Package
The Music Moves Europe Award winners receive € 10.000,- each. The winner of the Grand Jury Award wins an additional green touring voucher worth € 5.000. The winner of the Public Choice Award receives € 5.000. Each nominee is also offered the opportunity to attend a training day at ESNS to further their skills in internationalising their careers, representing a value of € 1.250 per artist. The Business Education Training day includes keynotes, expert meetings and training sessions.
About
The Music Moves Europe Awards are the The European Union Prize for popular and contemporary music. The aim of the awards is to celebrate upcoming European artists and support them in developing their international careers. This year’s nominees are Alina Pash (Ukraine), Anna (Italy), Balkan Taksim (Romania), Blanks (The Netherlands), Denise Chaila (Ireland), Дeva (Hungary), DORA (Spain), Francis of Delirium (Luxembourg), Friedberg (Austria), Jada (Denmark), Ladaniva (Armenia), Meskerem Mees (Belgium), Mezerg (France), Nenny (Portugal) and Zoe Wees (Germany).
The awards succeed the European Border Breakers Awards (EBBA) and the Music Moves Europe Talent Award (MMETA), supported and handed out by the European Union since 2004. The Prize has an impeccable track record, awarding artists including Stromae, Adele, Mumford & Sons, Dua Lipa, Rosalía, Meduza, Lous and the Yakuza, Inhaler and last year's winner Alyona Alyona. Each of these artists have since reached new levels of fame and success in the global music industry.
Contact:
Nikki McNeill | Global Publicity
nikki@globalpublicity.co.uk
Music Moves Europe Awards Show 2022
The award ceremony of the Music Moves Europe Awards will be broadcast via mmeawards.eu, as well as the platform of the online edition of ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag), 3fm.nl/esns on January 20 at 20:00 hours, CET.
The ceremony of the Music Moves Europe Awards – the European music prize for emerging artists representing the sound of today and tomorrow – will host most of the nominated artists in session, and will feature the reveal of the winners, including the prestigious Grand Jury Prize as well as the coveted Public Choice Award. The viewers of the Music Moves Europe Awards ceremony will be welcomed by hosts Naaz and Fernando Halman. Dutch artist Naaz won the Public Choice Award in 2020 and Fernando Halman is presenter at Dutch radio station FunX.
This year’s Music Moves Europe nominees are: Alina Pash (Ukraine), Anna (Italy), Balkan Taksim (Romania), Blanks (The Netherlands), Denise Chaila (Ireland), Дeva (Hungary), DORA (Spain), Francis of Delirium (Luxembourg), Friedberg (Austria), Jada (Denmark), Ladaniva (Armenia), Meskerem Mees (Belgium), Mezerg (France), Nenny (Portugal), and Zoe Wees (Germany).
Music Moves Europe Awards - Hosts: Fernando Halman and Naaz
Music Moves Europe Awards - The Jury:
As the nominees are very diverse in style, genre, and personality, the judges come from different backgrounds in the music industry as well. Each jury member represents a distinct expertise.
- Alyona Alyona, Public Choice Winner of 2021;
- Gemma Bradley, host at BBC 1 Radio;
- Cindy Castillo, Management & Bookings for Mad Cool Festival;
- Kevin Cole, DJ and host at KEXP;
- Bryan Johnson, International Artist & Industry Partnerships manager at Spotify.
Music fans across Europe will vote to select the winner of the Public Choice Award 2022 via the Music Moves Europe Awards website; www.mmeawards.eu. The nominee with the most votes wins the Public Choice Award. Last year's Public Choice Award Winner, the Ukrainian hip hop artist Alyona Alyona, is now a member of the jury of the Music Moves Europe Awards for 2022.
Five artists will be selected as winners by the international jury and one artist wins the Grand Jury Prize. All winners will be revealed at the Music Moves Europe Awards ceremony on Thursday January 20, 2022.
Prize package
Five Music Moves Europe Award winners will receive € 10.000,- each. The winner of the Grand Jury Award will receive €10.000 and a green touring voucher worth €5.000.
All fifteen nominees are invited for a business education day, with best practices in the music industry, organised by ESNS and its partners; the live sector (Liveurope, Yourope and Live DMA), the recording industry (IMPALA and Digital Music Europe), the International Music Managers Forum (IMMF) The European Music Exporters Exchange (EMEE).
About
The Music Moves Europe Awards are the The European Union Prize for popular and contemporary music. The aim of the awards is to celebrate upcoming European artists and support them in developing their international careers.
The awards succeed the European Border Breakers Awards (EBBA) and the Music Moves Europe Talent Award (MMETA), supported and handed out by the European Union since 2004. The Prize has an impeccable track record, awarding artists including Stromae, Adele, Mumford & Sons, Dua Lipa, Rosalía, Meduza, Lous and the Yakuza, Inhaler and last year's winner Alyona Alyona. Each of these artists have since reached new levels of fame and success in the global music industry.
Contact
Nikki McNeill | Global Publicity
nikki@globalpublicity.co.uk
ESNS completes line up for digital festival and conference
ESNS the European music platform confirms latest artists and speakers for ESNS 2022 (January 19 – 22, 2022)
The European showcase festival and conference ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) in Groningen adds five more acts to the line-up and completes its festival programme. As the programme for the conference is now fully published as well, ESNS is ready to kick off next week.
The five newest additions to the festival line-up are Dutch acts MEROL, Wies, Pom and Cloudsurfers who will be playing Noorderslag, and Tinlicker at Eurosonic. They join a diverse list of European acts, who will be performing on the second digital version of the ESNS festival. Among previously announced acts are Wet Leg (gb), K.ZIA (de), Carla Prata (pt), S10 (nl), Meskerem Mees (be), Alina Pash (ua), Blanks (nl), Yard Act (gb), Priya Ragu (ch) and Gaidaa (nl).
The ESNS 2022 conference will focus on subjects such as sustainability and the recovery of the music industry. Themed ‘Building Back Better Together’ ESNS aims to make the industry a better, more inclusive, and greener sector. Therefore, Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, responsible for The Green Deal will be opening the conference and is set to give a keynote on ESNS Wednesday. Timmermans will elaborate on the recovery from the current crisis and how the Green Deal will or can affect the music industry in a positive way. To act on the Green Deal, a proactive and thorough way of taking steps is necessary. Marjan Minnesma, director of Urgenda, will give a keynote on this, called Scale up and Hurry up!, on Friday the 21st.
More on the Green Deal and recovery will be discussed at the ESNS conference, with the panel The EU's Green Deal – Where does the music fit? with Claire O’Neill (A Greener Festival), Niklas Nienass (European Parliament), Holger Jan Schmidt (Yourope), Laurence Graff (European Commission), moderated by Greener Event’s Linnéa Svensson, while Emmanuel Legrand will moderate Recovery of the Music Sector – Where Are We Now? with Burak Özgen (GESAC), Mikolaj Ziółkowski (Open'er Festival), Susanne Hollmann (European Commission) and Erminia Sciacchitano (Ministry of Culture of Italy) to hear how the festivals were impacted and where they stand today.
Also joining the ESNS conference line-up are Hannah Shogbola (United Talent), Natasha Gregory (Mother Artists), Sally Dunstone (Primary Talent International) and Whitney Boateng (WME) in the Agents Panel, moderated by CAA’s Maria May. ILMC head Greg Parmley asks how certain we can be of a big 2022 festival season. Christof Huber (Yourope), Stephan Thanscheidt (FPK Scorpio), Marta Pallarès (Primavera Sound), Codruta Vulcu (ARTmania) and Paul Reed (AIF) will have the answers plus Natalie Kelly (Global Clients Solutions Manager for Music, Meta) and Dylan Pasqua (Fanbytes) will join the panel that asks is the Future of Music on Social Media?
Other panels and keynotes include A Model for a United Industry, which will dive deeper into how we can leave a better legacy for ourselves and our industry. On Thursday, Helienne Lindvall will interview Merck Mercuriades, – former manager of Beyoncé, Elton John and Mary J. Blige – speaking about his goal to get songwriters a better pay, through his Hipgnosis Songs Fund. The question of how to share streaming revenues in a fair and sustainable manner, will be answered by a panel including British member of Parliament Kevin Brennan.
Our panels focus on a global way of approaching a better music industry. Diversity in the Backstage, a panel hosted by Omroep Zwart, is one of the talks that helps create awareness for inclusivity, while among panels that show how it’s done across the globe, are: Are You Export Ready for Mexico? by EMX, Rabbit or Man in the Moon? Doing Business in China, presented by Dutch Music Export, RVO, and C-SHARP, and Short Videos, Films, Series and Nft’s - Music and India’s Booming Audiovisual Industry, presented by Ears On India.
ESNS also features the ceremony for the prestigious European prize for emerging talent at Music Moves Europe Awards, as well the Popprijs, ESNS Kickstart, Pop Media Prijs, Popstipendium and IJzeren Podiumdieren. To find the full line-up of ESNS Festival and ESNS Conference, head to esns.nl
ESNS takes place – entirely online – from January 19 – 22, 2022. Tickets for the digital conference are available for €99,- via www.esns.nl/tickets. The festival will be available – free of charge – with sessions recorded by Dutch broadcaster NTR in collaboration with NPO 3FM, to be broadcast by NPO 3FM, NPO 3 and the digital festival platform, hosted by VPRO 3VOOR12.