"The UK music industry is one of the UK’s greatest British exports, bringing millions of pounds to the UK economy each year. I am proud my department is supporting UK artists break into new markets across the globe via our Music Export Growth Scheme, helping to foster new talent and ensuring the UK remains a world leader in music.” - Liz Truss, Secretary of State for the Department for International Trade.
“The Music Export Growth Scheme has become an amazing success story for British music and acts overseas, providing invaluable and timely support that can help to make all the difference to artists who are on the verge of an international breakthrough." - Chris Tams, BPI director of International
The latest round of Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) funding, announced today by labels association the BPI, has seen a total of £261,527 awarded to 20 UK acts looking to grow their international fan-bases.
The BPI-run scheme is funded through the Department for International Trade as part of the Government’s Exporting is GREAT campaign and is designed to boost British music exports by supporting small to medium sized music companies as they look to build on the potential of their artists in overseas markets.
In this 17th round of investment, music companies representing a diverse range of British acts drawn largely from the vibrant indie scene have been backed to grow and amplify their artists’ presence in key and growing markets. These range from the US and Canada to Japan and the Philippines as well as a number of European territories including the largest markets such as Germany, France, the Benelux, Italy and Spain.
Artists to benefit in this wave include Mercury-shortlisted rock outfit and BRIT School graduates Black Midi, Scottish electronica performer Anna Meredith, Somerset rockers The Pineapple Thief, indie Australian-Brit surf rockers Sunset Sons, Anglo-Indian-American percussionist Sarathy Korwar, Brighton act Penelope Isles,
female singer-songwriter duo IDER, UK Americana act Ferris & Sylvester, Halifax four-piece The Orielles, and London-based new jazz group Ezra Collective. See Notes to Editors for the full list and artist quotes.
Since its launch in January 2014 MEGS has now supported 262 successful applications with £4,028,634 backing in total. The companies funded estimate a 12 – 1 return on their MEGS investment, which, in turn, has also helped to secure over 50 record deals and a similar number of publishing & sub-publishing deals, 135 synchronisation tie ups, hundreds of live/festival appearances, and TV, radio and press promo opportunities.
Applications for the next round (18th) of MEGS funding are now being received. Deadline for applications is the 3rd February. For more details on the Music Export Growth Scheme please visit the BPI website here.
Full list of MEGS recipient artists (and company making the application) in the 17th round of funding:
ALASKALASKA (ALASKALASKA)
Anna Meredith (Jet Black Raider Ltd)
Black Midi (Rough Trade Management)
Ezra Collective (Ezra Collective)
Ferris & Sylvester (Rockstar Management Ltd)
Floating Points (Floating Productions Ltd)
IDER (Glassnote Music)
Jadu Heart (Native Management)
Joe Armon-Jones (HOME Management)
Man of Moon (Man of Moon)
Massive Wagons (Earache Records Ltd)
Penelope Isles (Bella Union Artist Management)
Sarathy Korwar (Kowloon Management)
She Drew The Gun (Ignition)
SHVPES (SHVPES)
Steve Mason (Ignition)
Sunset Sons (Major Influence Limited)
The Hunna (Believe)
The Orielles (Heavenly Recordings)
The Pineapple Thief (Snapper Music Ltd)
