LEADING GLOBAL MUSIC INDUSTRY FIGURES TO SPEAK AT IRELAND’S LARGEST MUSIC CONFERENCE ‘OUTPUT BELFAST TOMORROW

Top names from the global music industry are lined up to speak at Ireland’s largest music conference, ‘Output Belfast’ on Thursday 13 February 2020.

Organised by Belfast City Council, the conference will include panel discussions, music sessions, workshops and speed networking events as well as keynote speeches from award-winning musicians and managers of globally recognized talent.

Based at The MAC, the conference is expected to be attended by around 600 local artists, businesses and students, and will address the challenges and opportunities that the music industry presents, highlighting the key role that music and performance plays within the buoyant creative industries sector.

2020’s opening keynote speakers will be:

Tom Kiehl, Acting Chief Executive of UK Music, the organisation representing the collective interests of the UK’s commercial music industry.

Paul Pacifico, Chief Executive A.I.M, the Association of Independent Music – the not-for-profit trade body exclusively representing the UK’s independent music sector.

Beverly Whitrick, Strategic Director Music Venues Trust, the organisation founded to help improve, maintain, and organise music venues in the United Kingdom.

Announcing the details of Output Belfast 2020, Councillor Deirdre Hargey, Chair of Belfast City Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee, said:
“Now in its sixth year, Output Belfast is an unmissable event for those working, or who want to work in the local music industry, and the wider creative sector. It provides invaluable insights into every aspect of the business, from tips on writing and production to how to get noticed by the right people – as well as a fantastic opportunity to network.

“We’ve made a commitment in The Belfast Agenda to support our city’s creative economy as it’s one of our key growth sectors. We’re intent on building a stand out international reputation for creativity; so we’re proud to invest in events such as ‘Output Belfast’ and South By Southwest to both nurture and profile our talented creative industries professionals.

“Music is such a distinctive aspect of Belfast’s cultural profile – we’re known internationally for our rich and diverse musical history, but looking at today’s talent, I think we have an even more exciting future. Output is an essential part of the industry ecosystem that will help us maximise our opportunities and will certainly strengthen our case as we make an application for UNESCO City of Music status.”

Other speakers and panels at the 2020 event will include:

• Radio Stars: Pitching to BBC Introducing and RTE

Dan Hegarty (2FM Dublin), Gemma Bradley (BBC ATL), Kelly Betts (BBC Introducing London), Millie Carter (BBC Introducing London),Tom Billington (BBC Introducing London)

• IMRO presents: How to Write a Hit Song

Philip Magee (The Script/Kodaline/JC Stewart producer) and more

• Confessions of a female Tour Manager:

Kim Hawes (Tour Manager Motorhead/ Black Sabbath)

• AVA FESTIVAL presents: What makes an experience truly immersive -looking at the Future of the Live Performance world

• IVORS ACADEMY presents: How to develop a career writing music for games with Tess Tyler (Composer- Lego Games and more) and Richard Jacques (multi award-winning composer for Gaming)

• Direct to Fan 101: feeding and growing your fanbase

Jessie Scoullar (Wicksteed Works)

• Is my music syncable?: Pitch your music to Peter Bradbury (Head of Music Sky Television) Sophie Urquhart (Tin Drum Music London) Sarah Glennane (Music Supervisor/Screen Composers Guild of Ireland) and Simon Pursehouse (Sentric Music)

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• Securing the future of independent and grassroots venues in Northern Ireland: Adrian Cooke (Arts Council England and Supporting Grassroots Live Music Fund) Ciaran Smyth (Voodoo) Got O’Callaghan (ArcTangent Festival and A.I.F)

• A biased history of Music in Advertising:

Josh Rabinowitz (Music Consultant, Brooklyn Music Experience, former EVP/Director of Music at Townhouse Grey WPP)

• London Calling: Pathways to working in the UK industry

Harry Martin (Domino Records) Hollie Boston (Polydor) and more

• CMU Presents: Mapping Norther Ireland Music

Chris Cooke (Complete Music Update) Phil Nelson (Manager Duke Special and consultant)

• Mailchimp: Your most valuable fan activation tool

Simon Harper (Mailchimp authorised consultant)

• Rally Presents: Branded for Life-The story of the iconic ASIWYFA logo and the relationship between bands and creatives

Rory Friers (And So I Watch You From Afar) Tim Farrell (Graphic Designer) Thomas Camblin (Rally)

• Picture This: How photographers can make your music timeless

Bradley Quinn (Official Snow Patrol Photographer) Ciara McMullan (legendary Irish photographer) and Ruth Medjber (Hozier tour photographer and more)

• Music Managers Forum presents: ‘How did you manage that?’ Live podcast recording with Ally McCrae (BBC producer and manager of Old Sea Brigade and Prides), Sophie Paluch (Blueprint Pods & Radio/San Remo) and more

• CMU presents: Distribution Revolution- a new report on the music distribution sector produced in partnership with A.I.M

• Self-Made present: The DIY guide to your first release

• Live brief pitching session: Advertising

John McCallion (Warners/Music Supervisor) Dina Couglen (Music Supervisor) and more

Further sessions will be announced in the next month.

The evening of 13 February will see a raft of free showcase events, featuring the most exciting new NI artists, in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter.

Confirmed hosts include Champion Sound, Nialler9, Music Venue Trust, Sentric, PRS For Music, IMRO, Women’s Work, ZOOL Records, Pizza Pizza Records, Word up Collective and Stendhal Festival Of Art.

To sign up for priority updates on the 2020 edition of Output Belfast, visit www.outputbelfast.com/