PRS for Music Foundation has revealed today the seven acts receiving funding through the International Showcase Fund to attend and perform at this week’s Canadian Music Week festival in Toronto, which includes a spotlight on the UK’s music industry.
Spanning seven nights of performances, with almost 1,000 showcasing bands at more than 60 live music venues in downtown Toronto, Canadian Music Week is one of the leading events in North America focusing on the music business.
The artists receiving funding are:
- Elle Exxe
- Holly Macve
- Nina
- The Magic Gang (pictured)
- The Orielles
- Throwing Shade
- Tusks
The Canadian music industry saw an 8.3% growth in music revenues in 2015, versus 3.2% growth globally. Three Canadian artists were in the recent IFPI Top 10 Global Sales list (Justin Bieber, Drake, The Weeknd), alongisde five UK artists (Adele, Ed Sheeran, One Direction, Coldplay and Sam Smith).
PRS for Music Foundation executive director, Vanessa Reed, said: “In response to Canadian Music Week’s spotlight on the UK’s music industry in 2016, we’ve supported more UK artists than ever before to attend this important international event.
"I look forward to building long- term collaborations with CMW and other Canadian partners so that we can give more UK artists the chance to break into this growing market which, like the UK, is home to some of the world’s most successful songwriters.”
Cameron Wright, VP of operations & live programming, Canadian Music Week added: “It has been incredible working so closely with a funding body to assist our selected UK artists in making the overseas trip to Toronto, Canada. Our Spotlight on the UK is one of the strongest country spotlights we have had and we are really looking forward to hosting the UK artists and delegates in Toronto and providing the space for relationships to be made and business to get done.
The International Showcase Fund is run by PRS For Music Foundation, in partnership with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), Arts Council England, British Underground and Musicians' Union. It offers support for UK artists to take their first steps into international territories by enabling them to perform at key showcasing festivals and conferences such as Canadian Music Week, SXSW, CMJ, Womex, Eurosonic, Jazzahead and Mutek which attract thousands of people working in the music industry from every corner of the globe.
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