Additional Speakers and Panels Announced
A political dimension will be added to this year’s programme with party representatives outlining their music-related policies in the run up to the Scottish elections.
The discussion includes the culture spokespeople for Scottish Labour, the Scottish Greens and the left alliance, RISE. They will be joined by the SNP and Scottish Liberal Democrat candidates for the Edinburgh Central constituency, where most of the capital’s music venues are located.
“The Scottish Parliament is not only responsible for culture, but also planning, local government, education, enterprise and tourism," says Wide Days founder, Olaf Furniss. “These areas are highly relevant to our sector and the discussion is an opportunity to learn how each party’s policies will relate to Scotland’s musicians and music business.”
Confirmed speakers include Claire Baker (Scottish Labour), Hannah Bettsworth (Scottish Liberal Democrats), Alison Dickie (SNP), Zara Kitson (Scottish Greens) andJean Urquhart (RISE). We are waiting to hear back from the Scottish Conservatives.
We are also set to host a presentation focusing on an initiative to develop Edinburgh’s grassroots live music scene, which will follow a panel focusing on the rise of city-based festivals. The session will also outline how delegates can effectively contribute to a consultation process recently launched by the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC).
Speakers include Nick Stewart (Sneaky Pete’s), Karl Chapman (Usher Hall), Martin Elbourne (Music Cities/The Great Escape) and the deputy convener of CEC Culture & Sport committee, Norma Austin Hart.
Other panels at this year’s Wide Days an analysis of streaming hosted by CMU Insight, the A&R You Brave Enough? feedback session and a panel on making festivals more sustainable.
