Wide Days 2023 Conference Additions and Inclusivity Initiatives
Scotland’s international music convention announces conference additions and inclusivity initiatives.
Following last week’s announcement of the New From Scotland showcase and artist mentoring programme, the Wide Days international music convention is pleased to announce the latest conference sessions, further speaker names and a range of initiatives aimed at widening access and participation.
Supported by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland’s Open Project Fund, the event will take place across four venues in central Edinburgh from 13-15 April 2023, with the conference component hosted in the city’s Assembly Rooms.
This includes presentations on a renewable energy system that generates electricity from the body heat of audiences, music in advertising, Glasgow’s innovative musical instrument library and a new guide to funding in Europe. Moreover, a cross section of music industry professionals will take part in a panel titled Reimagining Live, focusing on what the sector could look like in a perfect world.
Inclusivity has always been at the heart of Wide Days agenda and this year organisers will offer a number of bursary passes, as well as childcare grants for parents facing financial challenges. In addition, presentations on neurodiversity and accessible design will form part of the programme introduced by Attitude is Everything, the UK charity championing better access for disabled musicians, industry professionals and audiences.
As part of its ongoing work to facilitate music export connections, Wide Days 2023 will present a special opportunity for artists, labels and publishers to receive feedback from a panel of music supervisors and sync agents, specialising in a range of different fields, including film, tv, games and advertising.
They include Pam Lewis-Rudden (Plutonic Group, UK), Josh Rabinowitz (Brooklyn Music Experience, USA) and Leyla Flores (Loud MB, Mexico).To ensure that delegates are prepared to capitalise fully on interest, an advance seminar will be hosted online by Patricia Carrera (Control Freaks, Mexico).
“Sync can create an invaluable source of income for artists, labels and publishers,” says Wide Days founder, Olaf Furniss. “The addition of the online workshop and the Sync or Swim feedback season aims to help artists be better placed to take advantage of the opportunities.”
Other confirmed conference speakers include Ana Rodrguez (Head of the International Music Managers Forum, Mexico), Jen O’Brian (Music Broth), Jess Partridge (Sounds & Strategy), Umong Shah (Fortitude Music/Future Echoes), David Walls (TownRock Energy) and Aiesha Duncan (V&A Dundee).
The final day of the event will offer a range of networking activities including music and record shop tours, a brunch and both exotic soft drink and whisky tastings. This will be followed by the Festival Takeover, with M For Montreal and FOCUS Wales each guest programming a venue.