British Music at SXSW March 18 – March 22 2009

The British Music Embassy @ Latitude 30
512 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin TX 78701 Tel: 512 472 3332

The British Music at SXSW team, a partnership consisting of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), the major trade organisations AIM (Association of Independent Music) and rights collecting societies PRS for Music, used their combined funds to create the largest and most successful national presence at SXSW this year. Over 190 British acts have been invited to perform, along with 350 British companies plus 500 delegates will be in attendance at the festival - all with good intentions. Whether they’re seeking overseas partnerships, striking license deals, or shaking hands on new publishing agreements one thing is for certain - there will be a stronger presence this year than any other featuring an all-inclusive plethora of great British Music.

The Best of British, from all corners of the UK – Belfast, Northern Ireland, Liverpool, the North West, Yorkshire, and Scotland, will be presented to you by some of today’s most influential music enthusiasts and tastemakers including NME, Kerrang, and Nic Harcourt. While many flock to the UK to discover the latest exports in the sonic melting pot that is the British music scene, British Music takes over Latitude 30 from March 18th through March 22nd, presenting four days and nights of non-stop, fresh-faced British Bands who aim to contribute to the ever changing international music scene. Gallows, Laura Marling, The Whip, We Have Band, The Hot Melts, Skibunny, Friends Electric, DANANANANAYKROYD, Wild Beasts and Temper Trap are just some of this years' highlights.

While the music is what drives their dedication, the ideas that spout from the British Music Partnership are inventive and refreshing with artists such as Jamie Hewlett, renowned for his work with the Gorillaz, supplied art for the SXSW delegate bag. And in curating various panels which aim to observe the most heavily discussed issues within the music industry today, British Music is constantly thinking forward, with exciting topics such as Green Track #3: British Innovations where moderators Karen Emanuel MD, Key Production Alison Tickell Dir, Julie's Bicycle will discuss how the UK is at the forefront of thinking and acition on environmental matters. Another compelling panel that PRS for Music has curated is Licensing Music In A Converging World, moderated by Executive Editor of Music Confidential, Susan Butler, which also includes BBC's Peter Bradbury and Kenny McPherson from Chrysalis Music North America. These panels, along with the celebration of a few VIP anniversaries coming up this year - 50 Years of Island, 40 Years of Chrysalis and 10 Years of AIM, The History of British Indies Panel should surely not be missed. Last but not least, their ideas are productive -- Building on the success of the “AIM & A2IM Business Speed Dating” events held at SXSW since 2007, AIM and A2iM have organized a repeat performance at SXSW 2009.

“Whenever I'm approached by an organization about how to best exploit the opportunities that SXSW affords business and creative talent, I always point to the British Music effort. Their ability to to work towards a common end and forge alliances across the public and private sectors, between big and small business, well- known and unknown artists - the whole messy array of competing, often conflicting interests - is unmatched. They are often mimicked. But British Music is always stays a step ahead. Each year they adapt to changing business conditions, each year they employ a new creative strategy, every year they become more effective. When SXSW first launched, the very broad goal was to create an environment where people could further their dreams and ambitions. British Music, as much as any entity, has shown me what the concrete reality of such a vision looks like.” Brent Grulke - SXSW Creative Director

The success and profile of British Music has continued to amplify with the likes of many groundbreaking artists and successful start-up indie companies who are grateful for the ongoing support they have been given over the years. This year, the British Music Partnership are proud to present some of the brightest, most eclectic up-and-coming new talent and perhaps some of the greatest ambassadors from the UK.

The schedule is below for British Music at SXSW 2009