This is the second year of the Music Ireland event and Ollie Upton, the show’s director, is in an upbeat mood.
“It was a great relief to get last year’s event out of the way. It’s always great to see that an idea works when you actually do it. So last year’s inaugural event laid a really strong foundation to build on and this year’s Music Ireland will be ever bigger. We have hotpress involved this year as a valuable partner and there will also radio campaign on 2FM, so I’m very positive about it for a whole lot of reasons,” he says.
hotpress is spearheading a campaign under the “support your local dealer” banner as part of the build-up to this year’s show, so how is the Irish music market regarded in Kenilworth in London where Ollie’s Pioneer Shows Ltd is based? “Ireland produces so many great acts for the international market and it has a great reputation as a very vibrant music scene too. Your economy is booming, so it’s really positive right now,” he told hotpress.
Asked what major exhibitors are lined up for this year, Ollie runs through a very impressive roster that includes Waltons, MacroMusic, Keynote, Midi, Apple and J Hornsby Skewes.
As he explained: “Hornby Skewes are choosing the event to launch a new guitar in Ireland. I see that as a reflection of the respect the event now has earned in both Britain and Ireland.”
He also agrees that, while the musicians will be well catered, for there’s lots to interest the fans too.
“Apple will have a stand showcasing their iPods, and we’ll have showcases of top new Irish artists such as Director and The Blizzards. Two unsigned bands will play, one chosen by hotpress and the other by a public vote on hotpress.com, where fans can access tracks by a selection of acts and vote for their favourite.
That’s a really great opportunity for a young band trying to raise their profile.”
Music Ireland will also feature seminars for musicians and those seeking careers in the music industry, all featuring experienced professionals from the within the business.
Already confirmed for the seminars are A&R consultant Thomas Black, Richie McDonagh from Faction Records and music publisher and MIX course director Johnny Lappin.
The seminars will give fans access to advise on how to make recording easier, with discussions by A&R panels and masterclasses for musicians.
Meanwhile, the exhibition stands will enable visitors to see the latest PA and Lighting equipment, as well as a wide range of musical instruments and accessories. It will also be possible to marvel at the hottest home entertainment products and check out the latest CD and DVD releases.
Asked to sum up the event, Upton says this. “Music Ireland ’06 is not just a celebration of the highly-successful Irish music scene but it’s also intended to stimulate interest in both playing and enjoying music. So anyone with even a passing interest in music should find something to suit them at the RDS on November 25 and 26.” So be there or be square, eh? b