Sound City to help UK artists crack Asia

Sound City, one of the UK’s leading music brands for developing artists in Asian countries, has announced today the details of its fourth Sound City Korea initiative.

The festival has partnered with Liverpool Vision and the Department of International Trade in order to create discussions for the conference about opportunities in the Asian markets for British acts. Sound City is also partnered with festival promoter and label Modern Sky Entertainment (which in 2016 acquired a large stake in the business), giving those acts interested in the initiative a head-start.

Sound City will also host a day programme at International Business Festival 2018 in Liverpool on 27 June, featuring executives from many high-profile Asian companies such as Japanese promoter Creativeman and Chinese consultancy Outdustry.

“Asia is home to some of the most exciting music markets in the world”

As part of the Korean initiative, acts can now apply to showcase at two industry events in South Korea: MU:CON (late September, 3,000 capacity audience) and Zandari (5–7 October, 3,000 industry delegates and 15,000 festival attendees). Based on previous Sound City Koreas, it is expected that the project will lead to more than US$146,000 being spent on the participating artists.

Sound City COO, Becky Ayres, says: “Asia is home to some of the most exciting music markets in the world today, with millions of fans eager to hear the next big thing to come from the West. 

“With the support of Arts Council England, our partnership with Modern Sky Entertainment and collaborations with big festival brands such as Zandari, MU:CON and others, we’re able to provide a rare opportunity for UK acts looking to make a name for themselves in Asia, as well as for Asian artists and businesses looking to come the other way. 

“The bands that have taken part in these festival exchanges in the past have seen great returns. We look forward to seeing who steps forward this year and encourage anyone with an interest in breaking into Asia to get in touch and join us at the International Business Festival in Liverpool on 27 June.”

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