Member Article

Yorkshire acts to get a cut of £250k UKTI funding to tour overseas

Two Leeds-based acts have been awarded a cut of £250k as part of the UKTI’s Music Export Growth Scheme.

The Music Export Growth Scheme, a partnership between UKTI and the BPI (British Recorded Music Industry) aims to help small and medium-sized independent music companies increase international sales.

Just over £250,000 will be provided to independent music companies representing artists including Black Moth from Leeds who are jointly touring with Antlered Man from London, and are signed to London-based New Heavy Sounds.

Another well-known Leeds band, Hadouken has also received a portion of the funding to travel abroad.

John Kennedy, chair of the Music Export Growth Scheme, said: “As we announce the results of our recent round of funding and move to our new invitation for applications we are beginning to see the results of this commitment by the government to our industry.

“We are seeing the money being successfully used as seed money to launch or build on international careers, whether by way of sales or synchronisation licences, live appearances, expanded profile or strategic promotional activities - indeed the variety of uses that successful applicants are making of the funds is itself a testament to the innovation that these grants can drive, enhance and encourage.”

UKTI chief executive Dominic Jermey said: “The British music scene is brimming with talent and around the world UK acts are helping to sell out festivals this summer, from London Grammar at South by South West in the United States to Portishead at Melt! in Germany to Tom Jones back home at the British Summer Time festival.

“Through the Music Export Growth Scheme we are helping a new generation of upcoming British talent to capitalise on this success and make their mark in countries around the world, bringing jobs and growth to the UK economy.

“I am pleased that acts who we have already supported such as Public Service Broadcasting and the Crookes are really benefitting from our support and growing their international fanbase.”

The initiative will make up to £2.5 million of grants available over a 2 and a half year period. It was announced in October 2013 at a Number 10 meeting with music executives chaired by the Prime Minister David Cameron.

The scheme will re-open for applications on Tuesday 12 August 2014.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .