The team behind Independent Venue Week (IVW) is launching a new one-day event, Independents Day.
The all-day event, which takes place at 229 The Venue in London on Tuesday, August 20, has been created in partnership with audio and lighting manufacturer Harman in response to requests from participating venues to be able to meet up with other venues, promoters and partners.
The day brings together IVW stakeholders from different sectors of the industry and will see a host of speakers and panels covering a range of topics, including a dedicated panel on venue funding with Arts Council England (ACE), which will specifically be discussing details of their new £1.5 million Supporting Grassroots Live Music (SGLM) fund and what people can apply for.
“By getting together face-to-face, venues and partners will have a greater chance to learn more about the workings of IVW from the core team and those venues who have taken part for a number of years.” said IVW founder Sybil Bell. “Having Harman as our headline partner is a real boost to the sector and those who come to Independent Day can see up close the incredible range of kit they have and the amazing offers they can offer IVW venues. This is incredibly timely given the ACE SGLM fund."
Other partners include other existing IVW partners such as Arts Council England, CD Baby, The FAC, Marshall and The Musicians Union.
ACE will also be hosting a number of one-to-one sessions where venues and promoters can discuss in more detail their own applications with ACE relationship managers for this vital new fund.
“We have one-to-one sessions during the day with ACE for those wanting to find out about how the new SGLM works and the wide range of activity they can use the fund for, as well as with agents," added Bell. "For many venues, dealing with agents is often confined to email so being able to put a face to a name and forging a more personal relationship is really important.”
Independents Day also offers the chance for venues and promoters to speak to those venues who have been part of IVW for many years, to share their experiences with those who have joined more recently. It is particularly aimed at venues off the natural touring circuit, in smaller towns and villages, speaking directly with agents about routing artists tours away from major city centres ahead of the spring touring season.
IVW’s regional and national reps will also attend to offer support for venues and promoters and share ideas with other reps from around the country.
Announcements will be made on the day including supporting venues with best practice policies in partnership with The Boileroom, Guildford, which won the Grassroots Venue: Spirit Of The Scene honour at the 2018 Music Week Awards.
