This event will consist of several music industry panel discussions focusing on topics that will be of interest to all musicians working in the South West. These include:

Gigging & Touring - Breaking out of your hometown
Festivals: The Holy Grail? - How to get noticed by programmers
Show Me The Money! – Exploring various income streams for musicians
Building The Buzz - How to build your fan base and rise above the noise
The Dream Team - Building a professional team around the artist

Several music industry professionals will be joining us, and some of these include: James Santer (BBC Introducing); John Empson (Eden Sessions / Somersault Festival / Emperor Artist Management); Oli James (Tour Manager: Ben Howard / PMC); Kaptin Barrett (Boomtown Festival Programmer); Matt Freemantle (Director of Lemonfest); Steph Knight (Domino PR); Sarah Woodward (Artist Manager: These Reigning Days), and many more.

There will also be a half-hour debate focusing on the thorny issue of whether musicians should ever accept unpaid gigs – if so, why and under what circumstances should they do this? For more information about the topics under discussion, as well as a full list of guest speakers, please visit our website: www.minglemusic.co.uk

Leo O’Brien from the PPL will be available to musicians throughout the afternoon for drop-in sessions, and Chris Tams from the BPI will be speaking about the new music industry apprenticeship and internship opportunities which have received financial backing from the government (12pm – 12.45pm in the dance studio).

A songwriting workshop for young people aged 13-16 will be taking place between 2.15 and 3.45 (places are limited – please contact Exeter Phoenix Box Office to book in advance – 01392 667080).