The music convention celebrates it 10th anniversary this year and has revealed additions to the programme featuring a meeting of European showcase festivals, a music-themed walking tour and further line-up announcements.
Wide Days takes place in Edinburgh from 11 – 13 April with a range of new partners including The Association of Independent Music (AIM), Ticketmaster, Antidote Booking and Napier University who join PRS for Music, PPL, PRS Foundation, Help Musicians Scotland, EmuBands, UHI, and the SMIA in supporting the event.
This year’s convention begins on Thursday evening with a coach tour guided by the event’s founder Olaf Furniss, followed by an opening gig hosted by Glasgow-based Antidote Booking agency and headlined by local band Man of Moon.
Friday will kick off the conference with a newly-announced sessions, starting with a critical look at how Blockchain technology can deliver for the music industry, a lyric clinic hosted by Dr Dave Hook and in association with PRS For Music, and a session entitled Ask The Young Team hosted by Vic Galloway.
Olaf Furniss, Wide Days’ founder, says: ‘From the first conference in 2010 we always felt that older delegates had something to learn from the next generation. Ask The Young Team is an opportunity for established industry delegates to get some invaluable insights.’
Stuart Fleming, PRS for Music’s senior manager, Scotland & Northern Ireland added: ‘We are excited to be continuing our partnership with Wide Days for a clinic focused on the art of the lyric which includes the role PRS plays within the process. We are hugely honoured to welcome esteemed PRS for Music member Dr Dave Cooke to share his expertise on lyrical collaboration and effective writing techniques.’
Dr Dave Hook says: ‘It is a pleasure to be included in a panel at this year’s Wide Days on the creative aspects of lyric writing. The Lyric Clinic is an opportunity to discuss the art of making stuff rhyme; writing words; and a look at examples from a range of artists. This combines my work as a rapper writing rhymes, with my work as an academic studying lyrics.’
Elsewhere, Saturday’s schedule includes a walking tour and whisky sampling before the Festival Takeover.
This new initiative involves Electric Fields, Tenement Trail and Kelburn Garden Party each programming a stage, so delegates can experience a taste of three of Scotland’s festivals.
Help Musicians Scotland will provide bursary places for emerging artists and industry professionals who would not be able to attend due to financial barriers.
Vanessa Reed, chief executive officer, PRS Foundation, says: ‘Congratulations to Wide Days as they enter their 10th year in providing vital support and development opportunities for talented music creators in Scotland. We are proud to fund this award-winning showcasing event yet again as they expand and welcome new partners in 2019.
‘The success stories we have seen at PRS Foundation are testament to the excellent work of the Wide Days team on a grassroots level – including Wide Days alumni Fatherson who we are directly supporting to go to SXSW this year. I look forward to seeing the impact this support will have on the careers of the new showcasing artists.’
Paul Pacifico, chief executive officer, AIM commented: ‘AIM is committed to supporting independent music creators and businesses across the UK, so we are delighted to continue our partnership with the Wide Days team. Scotland is a hub of music culture, and Wide Days is a key event every year. This year’s expanded programme demonstrates the event’s ambition, and promises to be bigger and better than ever.’
Peter Leathem, chief executive officer, PPL, added: ‘Wide Days’ expansion is fitting for its 10th anniversary, representing a thriving Scottish music scene that PPL is proud to support. It provides the perfect platform to celebrate the enormous contribution Scotland makes to the UK music industry and its wider cultural identity.’
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit widedays.com
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