Evolution Emerging Conference

25 of the nation’s most celebrated industry music professionals arrived into the North East to take part in the first Evolution Emerging Conference on 6 June 2018, ahead of the Evolution Emerging music festival on 9 June, which is now in its 10^th year.

Taking place at iconic international home for music, The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, guests included some of the UK’s leading band managers, festival promoters, record label executives, streaming pioneers, DIY artists, funders, tour managers and ground-breaking artist marketeers.

In this video, NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau meets Charlie Dancer, Generator’s Talent Development Manager, at the first Evolution Emerging Conference.

Headline guests included the likes of BT Sport’s music supervisor, Pete Kelly, Joe Frankland of the PRS for Music Foundation, David Manders, manager of the London-based BBC 6Music favourites, Public Service Broadcasting, Ian Evans, organiser of the celebrated Y Not & Truck Festival, Lucy Scott of the Manchester-based creative music charity, Brighter Sound, and Hector Barley, manager of Brighton’s indie-pop outfit, Fickle Friends.

Generator’s talent development manager, Charlie Dancer, said: “Designed to enlighten and inform the region’s musical alumni, musicians and businesses by attracting some of the biggest industry names to the North East, this free to attend conference is set to attract over 200 guests who are hungry for all of latest cutting-edge music industry inside info.

“We’re thrilled to be able to bring industry experts like this to the region to pass on their knowledge to the amazing level of talent we already have up here.

“UK prime minister Theresa May recently highlighted the importance of creativity and has said the work of our creative industries is a vital part of our national life and our national economy. This conference will help boost opportunities for the region’s emerging music artists and businesses.

“The music industry is a vital part of both the region’s and the nation’s fabric and we’re proud to be able to stage an event like this.”

The Evolution Emerging Conference featured six key panels that covered: Artist Identity – Breaking the Mould, Synchronisation – Music On The Big Screen, A New Wave of Management, The State of Labels in 2018, Mental Health in the Music Industry and Women In Music.

In addition to the panels, there was also a range of short insight presentations from leading music industry experts and an opportunity for delegates to talk to key music industry organisations including key national partners: The British Phonographic Industry (BPI), Musicians Union, PRS for Music, PPL, plus music publishers, Sentric and Help Musicians, in a series of small, intimate roundtable discussions.

Paul Szomoru, director of business events at NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau, said: “The Evolution Emerging Conference is a great example of the type of exciting and varied events that we host here in NewcastleGateshead.

“We have a vibrant music scene in our city, as well as a strong creative sector – we’re delighted that delegates from the music industry across the UK were able to experience this for themselves.”

The Evolution Emerging Conference was the first of its kind and was billed as a must-attend event for musicians and producers, record labels, forward-thinking publishers, and industry trade organisations from across the region.