Since living in the US, I’ve been doing my best to keep up to date with what’s going on in the music industry back home in England. I’ve had various conversations with US musicians who are traveling over to the UK and want to know how to access resources and information about the music market there. I’ve also have various music industry pros asking me if I think their band’s music would work in the UK market. Well here’s a mini-guide to the UK music industry which will allow you make up your own mind -
Industry News
1. CMU Daily is a daily e-newsletter which is received by virtually everyone in the UK music industry. It’s free to subscribe and provides news on trade industry stories, festivals, tours and new releases. Each day it profiles a new up and coming artist. Check out the website and subscribe to the newsletter at www.thecmuwebsite.com.
2. Music Week is the leading music industry trade magazine in the UK. It also has a digital version. Both are paid for but you can sign-up free to their daily e-newsletter. www.musicweek.com
Musician’s Resources
1. The Unsigned Guide is the best guide for unsigned musicians in the UK. It provides a full directory on venues, music promoters, record labels, music management, publishers, media and festivals.They also have a great blog at www.theunsignedguide.com which provides helpful tips to musicians.
2. The Music Week Directory is created by Music Week (see above) and is published yearly. It provides a comprehensive list of contact details for record labels, publishers, promoters, publicists etc.
UK Music Festivals
The music festival scene in the UK is increasing on a yearly basis. To keep up to date on festival and their line-ups check out these two great sites:
www.efestivals.co.uk
www.welovefestivals.com
Top Music Websites:
DownedInSound – http://drownedinsound.com
Artrocker.com – http://artrocker.com
Music OHM – http://www.musicomh.com
The Beat Surrender – http://www.thebeatsurrender.co.uk
Gigwise – http://www.gigwise.com
glasswerk.co.uk – http://www.glasswerk.co.uk
Noize Make Enemies – http://www.noizemakesenemies.co.uk
music-news.com – http://www.music-news.com
nme.com - http://www.nme.com/home
This is just a very quick snap-shot. Please feel free to comment and post additional information. Thanks!