The BPI, the trade association for the UK’s record companies and labels and the representative voice of British recorded music, today announces details of the latest (23rd) round of Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) funding.
Developed and administered by the BPI, MEGS boosts British music exports by supporting small-to-medium-sized, independent UK companies as they build the commercial profile of their artists in key markets overseas. It is a successful partnership between industry and Government with joint funding received from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) alongside investment from the UK recorded music industry, which on average contributes 64% of total spend.
For this £1.6 million round, funding has been distributed to support 58 UK artists from a range of genres and backgrounds as they look to grow their profiles on the global stage. Artists receiving support in this round include Nubiyan Twist, Wunderhorse, corto.alto, Far Caspian, Jadu Heart and Fat Dog – a full list of recipients is below.
While UK music exports continue to grow year-on-year and British artists continue to rank among the world’s most popular acts, British music’s position as the third largest music market is being challenged by rapidly intensifying global competition. Meanwhile, rising international touring costs are making it harder for independent artists and UK SMEs to fully fund the marketing and promotional work needed to reach global audiences.
MEGS is therefore essential to SME music businesses in breaking new talent on the global stage. The scheme has supported the international careers of more than 450 British artists including Dave, Rina Sawayama, Self Esteem, Jungle, Young Fathers, Kae Tempest and 2023 Mercury Prize winners, Ezra Collective. Through 23 rounds over the last eleven years, the scheme has invested over £7.9 million in British music, leading to an estimated £73.5 million financial return to the UK economy and a return on investment of nearly £14 for every £1 received from Government. In 2023, two dozen acts supported by MEGS accumulated over 100 million global streams, including Beabadoobee, Dave, Bicep and Wolf Alice.
The previous Conservative Government announced £3.2m of funding over two years (£1.6 million per year) for the scheme in the Creative Industries Sector Vision in June 2023, and in January 2025, the Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy MP announced a further £1.6 million of funding for the 2025/26 financial year.
Sophie Jones, BPI Chief Strategy Officer, said:
“At a time where new acts face increasing global competition, the Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) is needed more than ever to enable the next generation of British talent to reach international audiences and grow their profile. It is a genuine game-changer for the artists supported through the scheme, a critical resource for the UK's burgeoning independent sector, and a proven financial success with a significant return on investment and boost to exports.
The 58 incredible acts supported by this latest round of MEGS funding are testament to the diverse creative talent that exists across the whole of the UK. We welcome the Government’s continued support of this essential scheme, and look forward to developing continuing our partnership in the years to come."
Gareth Thomas, Minister for Exports and Small Businesses, said:
“The UK has always led the way with its world-renowned musical acts, and this funding is vital to supporting smaller music companies to seize opportunities abroad.
“Not only will this help shine a spotlight on the best of British talent globally, but it will drive exports abroad, amplifying growth at home in the UK.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:
“The Music Export Growth Scheme has helped so many of our talented homegrown artists launch their careers internationally.
“As part of our Plan for Change, we are supporting our creative industries to reach their full potential including through this latest round of funding, which will help the next generation of artists to tour abroad, market themselves to new audiences and showcase the best of British culture and creativity to the world.”
The 58 recipient artists from the 23rd MEGS funding:
:Panic :Over, Andrew Cushin, Anna B Savage, Antony Szmierek, Aurora Orchestra with Abel Selaocoe, bar italia, BLACKGOLD, Blossoms, Cassia, Coach Party, corto.alto. Dan Whitlam, Dana Masters, Divorce, Dolores Forever, Ego Ella May, Electric Enemy, Fabiana Palladino, Far Caspian, Fat Dog, Flyte, Grace Davies, Halina Rice, Heartworms, HotWax, Jadu Heart, Katy J Pearson, Kokoroko, Lambrini Girls, London Contemporary Orchestra, Lusaint, Maribou State, Matt Maltese, Ms Banks, Nippa, Nova Twins, Nubiyan Twist, Oscar Jerome, Penelope Trappes, Punk Rock Factory, Red Rum Club, Robocobra Quartet, Rosie Lowe, Ryan McMullan, SOFT PLAY, Somebody's Child, Songer, Tara Lily, The Bug Club, The K's, The Lottery Winners, The Molotovs, The Vernon Spring, The Wellermen, Tom Speight, Tunng, Tyler Lewis, Wunderhorse