WED 9 APRIL: LIVE IS LIFE

09.15-09.45

SMIA BREAKFAST RECEPTION

Join the Scottish Music Industry Association for breakfast.

Speaker: 
Stewart Henderson (Chairperson, SMIA)
 

10.00-10.50

THE HYDRO

Since opening its doors at the end of September 2013, The Hydro has welcomed over 600,000 concert-goers and attracted international acts who would have previously by-passed Scotland. We look at how the purpose-built music arena came into being, what role it will play in the Scottish music scene and its potential to boost music tourism. 

Speakers:
John Langford (Director, The Hydro)
John Sharkey (Group Chief Executive, SECC)
Tom Doyle (Project Director, The Hydro)

Moderator, Olaf Furniss (Born To Be Wide)

11.00-11.30

KEYNOTE: MUSIC VENUE TRUST

Throughout the UK and Europe, long-standing music venues are closing as developers and super-pubs move in. Historically, Edinburgh has been hit particularly hard, most recently with the sale of the Picture House. Founded in January, The Music Venue Trust aims to protect Britain’s concert infrastructure and will outline its strategies in this keynote presentation.

Speakers:
Beverley Whitrick (Strategic Director, Music Venue Trust)
Moderator: Gordon Masson (IQ Magazine)

11.40-12.30

DIGITAL SERVICES FOR PROMOTING LIVE EVENTS

There are numerous online services at the disposal of promoters, providing a means of reaching potential audiences, selling tickets and gaining a valuable insight into consumers. We look at which work best for different live events, how to integrate them into an overall strategy and how to ensure they are used to their full potential.

Speakers:
Katie McPhee (Eventbrite)
Nick Stewart (Sneaky Pete's)
Richy Muirhead (Scottish Alternative Music Awards)
Moderator: Scott Cohen (The Orchard/Artist Manager)

12.50-13.20

FRINGE WORKSHOP:
PLANNING A DIGITAL RELEASE

An introductory workshop into digital music distribution, covering what you need to have in place to get your music on digital services like iTunes, Deezer and Spotify, and how you go about getting your release(s) on these services.

13.20-13.50

LET THERE BE LIGHT

Stage lighting can play a big role in enhancing a live performance, and is a key consideration when filming or photographing a gig.  Heather Cameron, gives an insight into some simple steps to make gigs looks brilliant and how to avoid the most common mistakes. 

Speakers:
Heather Cameron (Production manager, Summerhall)

14.00-14.50

PLANNING A TOUR

Putting together a tour can involve a wide range of considerations including budgets, PR, routes, travel and major events which might distract potential ticket buyers. What are the essentials when preparing to hit the road, and how do you avoid unnecessary costs?

 Speakers:
Phyllis Belezos (Booking Agent, ITB)
Carina Jirsch (Promoter, Schoneberg Concerts)
Fiona Harte (Tour accountant, Live Nation)
Johnny Lynch (Lost Map Records)
Moderator: Michael Lambert (A Modern Way Management & Recordings)

15.00-15.40

THINGS OF THE FUTURE

The next generation of music apps and future technologies.

Speakers:
Steve Machin (The Dot Tickets Organisation)

15.55-16.15

OFF AXIS: AN UPDATE

At Wide Days 2013 Jeff Thomson announced plans for a UK version of Brazilian musician network, Fora Do Eixo, which facilitated over 6000 gig exchanges in 2012. He returns this year to report on how the British version, Off Axis, is developing and what lies in store for 2014.  

Speaker:
Jeff Thompson (Un-Convention)

16.30-17.30

PLAYING GERMANY

Germany has long-enjoyed a great reputation among artists playing Continental Europe. We look at the live landscape on the other side of the North Sea, including festivals, touring and what differences specific aspects of the market acts should know about.

Speakers:
Alex Richter (Four Artists)
Artur Schock (Audiolith Booking)
Dietmar Schwenger (Musik Woche)
Evelyn Sieber (Reeperbahn Festival)

THU 10 APRIL: PLEASE RELEASE ME

09.15-09.45

MEET PPL

How to join, how to register and how to get paid.

Speakers: 
Keith Harris
(director of performer affairs, PPL)
Davy Wales
(performer recruitment co-ordinator, PPL)

10.00-10.30

MAXIMISING A DIGITAL RELEASE

Releasing music online is easy, but doing it well involves some additional steps. Leading Scottish digital distribution company, EmuBands, explain what they are.

Speakers:
Stuart Stenhouse (Director, EmuBands)

10.40-11.40

RELEASING IN GERMANY

Germany is Europe’s largest market for recorded music, boasts a very different retail environment to the UK and still maintains a healthy music press. This panel provides an insight into what should be considered when it comes to a German release, and how the country’s record labels operate. 

Speakers:
Lars Lewerenz (Audiolith)
Matthias Böttcher (Good To Go Distribution)
Melanie Gollin (Flux FM)
Vivien Mierzkalla (Verstärker Media Marketing) 
Moderator: Allan McGowan 

11.50-12.40

MEET THE GATEKEEPERS

Getting coverage or support, often involves appealing to one individual, who often hides behind the scenes. We look at what they look for in their music, and what non-music elements play a role in swaying their decisions what to back and what to ignore. 

Speakers:
James Foley (head of editorial, Deezer)
Michelle Choudhry (producer, BBC 6 Music)
Vikram Gudi (Elephant Music)
Moderator: Vic Galloway (BBC Radio Scotland)

13.30-14.20

MANAGING A RELEASE

Increasingly, managers are taking on the role of record label, overseeing the release on behalf of their artists. We look at what both parties should consider when setting up their own label, and which models might be adopted. 

Speakers: 
Denise Allan (manager, Glasvegas)
Mark Melton (Entertainment lawyer)
Michael Lambert (A Modern Way Managment & Recordings)
Moderator: Keith Harris (PPL / manager, Stevie Wonder)

14.30-15.00

GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUTUBE

YouTube is the world’s most popular digital platform for consuming music and offers acts the opportunity to promote themselves and earn money. Derk van der Woude, gives a presentation on making the most of the service. 

Speaker:
Derk van der Woude (Music partnerships, YouTube)

15.15-15.45

AUDIOLITH - A LESSON FROM THE HAMBURGERS

Hamburg label Audiolith launched in 2004, the year German recorded music industry was at its absolute nadir. Lars Lewerenz explains how he built a successful company, frequently adopting an unorthodox approach.

Speakers:
Lars Lewerenz (Audiolith)
in conversation with
Olaf Furniss (Born To Be Wide)

16.00-17.20

A&R YOU BRAVE ENOUGH? 

The popular session returns to Wide Days.  Acts attending the convention are invited to submit a track for critical appraisal from a diverse panel. 

Speakers:
Johnny Lynch (Lost Map Records)
Gary Clark (songwriter)
Vikram Gudi (Elephant Music)
Moderator: Claire Sawers (The List Magazine)

17.30-18.00

CLOSING REMARKS