Bulgaria is set to gain its first music showcase and conference festival this spring.

Spike is scheduled to take place between 26-28 May in Plovdiv, one of Bulgaria’s most historic cities.

The event will welcome music business delegates from over 12 countries, including the US and Canada.

The content of the conference will cater to executives in artist booking and management, publishing, royalties, and sync licensing, digital technology workshops and equality and diversity in the music industry.

The event was founded by Boyan Robert Pinter of Bulgarian promoter Pan Harmony, who says: “The festival’s primary goal is to create learning and networking opportunities for Bulgarian artists and professionals and to introduce international delegates to Bulgaria’s music scene. This will be done in the spirit of diversity and inclusivity.

“The festival’s primary goal is to introduce international delegates to Bulgaria’s music scene”

“We are very happy that our event will finally go live. When we took our first steps, we received a lot of international support, which gave us the confidence to continue building this platform for local artists and music professionals. We are very grateful to the city of Plovdiv – EU Capital of Culture 2019 – for being our gracious host, providing us with the perfect backdrop to our activities.”

The Spike showcase will take place across several locations on Plovdiv’s main street, including the Temple Bar, Bezistenа, and Rock Bar Download. A special selection of artists will be chosen to perform at the city’s Roman Stadium, downtown, which was built in the 2nd century AD.

“There are many surprises in store for our international delegates, as we’d like to them to experience the wonderful architecture, delicious food, and the hip, laid-back vibe that Plovdiv can offer,” says Pinter.

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The inaugural BoomTown Winter Gathering will not go ahead following a devastating car-park fire and death of an 18-year-old woman at 10–13 August’s BoomTown Fair, the festival has confirmed.

A statement from BoomTown Fair, one of the UK’s largest independent festivals, says: “Although there were many amazing things that happened at the festival, the incidents that did occur we feel we should take some time to take stock of.

“As a very close team with so much love for the community that is created at BoomTown, we are absolutely devastated by the news of our festival attendee who tragically passed away. Our thoughts are with the young lady’s family, friends and loved ones.

“We feel that focusing our energy on these incidents is where it is best placed at this time”

“We are also currently going through the process to follow up individually with all those affected by the fire, and feel that focussing our energy on these incidents is where it is best placed at this time.”

Winter Gathering, billed as the “UK’s biggest indoor festival”, was to have taken place across six arenas at the Royal Bath and West Showground on 10 December.

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