Simon Napier BellSimon Napier-Bell confirmed for keynote at Eurosonic Noorderslag 2014, plus new Saturday program revealed and artist success stories.

Rock manager, composer, songwriter, record producer and author Simon Napier-Bell is confirmed to be the first key note speaker of Eurosonic Noorderslag. For the first time Napier-Bell will share his extended knowledge and hilarious anecdotes about music business written down in his newest book ‘Ta-Ra-Ra-Boom-De-Ay’, which will be published in April 2014. Eurosonic Noorderslag, the European showcase festival and conference, takes place in Groningen/The Netherlands from the 15th to the 18th of January, 2014. Simon Napier-Bell’s keynote, titled ‘The Complete history of the Music Business’, is programmed on Thursday and on Saturday he will be part of the panel ‘Off The Record With A Smile’.

Simon Napier-Bell
Simon Napier-Bell has been a film composer, songwriter, record producer, and author, but most of all he is known for being a rock manager. Amongst the artists he’s managed are The Yardbirds, Marc Bolan, T Rex, Japan, Asia, CC Catch, Ultravox, Candi Staton, Boney M, and Wham!

In the 60s he co-wrote the song ‘You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me’ which went to number one sung by Dusty Springfield and was also covered in the early 70s by Elvis Presley.

He has also written three best-selling books about the music industry: ‘You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me’, about the music business in the 60s; ‘Black Vinyl White Powder’, a history of the British music industry; and ‘I’m Coming To Take You To Lunch’, about taking Wham! to Communist China in the 80s, the first Western pop or rock group ever to play there.

These days he does music consultancy through his company Snap-B Music, with Dutch partner Bjorn de Water, and has a TV company in the UK, Snap-B TV. He is also a director of Papa Entertainments, a British PLC. He has just finished writing a complete history of the Music Business from its first beginnings in 1713 until today, ‘Ta-Ra-Ra-Boom-De-Ay’, to be published in April 2014.

Extended Saturday Programme
Eurosonic Noorderslag is proud to introduce a Eurosonic Noorderslag 2014 Saturday afternoon conference programme, which will include a series of new elements all over the city of Groningen.

First programme for Saturday afternoon January 18, 2014 include:
Innovative and sustainable production and festival design conference
Fair presenting innovative and smart solutions for festivals and the (live) music Industry
Conference dedicated to smart green and clean innovations
Label market, featuring DJ sets and acoustic performances
Various special showcases at unique locations
Members meetings of national and international music organizations
International conference for press and (online) media
International live music venues and promoters conference programme

A full registration also grants access to the Saturday programme and the new Saturday only pass, grants access to the afternoon programme and the Noorderslag festival Saturday night. Purchase your conference registration here. http://conference.eurosonic-noorderslag.nl/en/register/conference-registration/

Artist Success Stories
Eurosonic Noorderslag has a proven track record for helping new bands break into the International music scene and many bands who showcase at the event go on to play numerous festival shows in Europe and have successful careers. Here’s an update on 3 bands from the UK who performed in 2013…

Villagers
Watch Villagers Eurosonic session. After performing at Eurosonic Noorderslag in January, Villagers have been on an extensive tour. This summer they can be seen at no less then 9 ETEP festivals. This month Villagers were playing at Lowlands and Pukkelpop after returning from a short tour in Australia.

AlunaGeorge
Watch AlunaGeorge live at Eurosonic-Noorderslag. AlunaGeorge is one of the hottest acts the year, playing at 8 ETEP festivals during the summer. At the end of August they’re heading for the USA to perform at numerous festivals and club shows.

Chvrches
Watch Chvrches Eurosonic session. 2013 marks the rise of the electro-pop act Chvrches. Who have just returned from an extensive tour through the United States. As well as their live shows, they also performed their single ‘Mother we Share’ on American National Television. This summer Chvrches are playing at 6 ETEP festivals, in addition to supporting Depeche Mode.

About Eurosonic Noorderslag
Eurosonic Noorderslag is the key exchange and networking platform for European music, with a proven track record for helping new bands break into the International music scene. Selling out each year Eurosonic Noorderslag attracts over 3200 delegates, with showcases by more than 300 artists and a conference program featuring 150 panels, keynote speakers, interviews, workshops, dinners, parties and meetings.

Eurosonic Noorderslag will celebrate its 28 edition in 2014 and will take place from Wednesday the 15th to Saturday the 18th of January 2014 in Groningen, the Netherlands. On Wednesday January 15, 2014 Eurosonic Noorderslag kicks off with the European Music Awards programme (European Border Breakers Awards and European Festival Awards) and the Eurosonic festival. The event completes on Saturday with the Noorderslag festival during the evening. More information can be found at www.eurosonic-noorderslag.nl.