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Welsh Government
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Welsh creative industry talent on world stage
The Welsh Government and Welsh Music Foundation are supporting a delegation to the South by South West Festival and Conference (SXSW) in Austin, which started yesterday (7 March).
SXSW Conferences and Festivals offers a unique convergence of original music, independent films, and emerging technologies, with some 18,000 music delegates and more than 2,200 bands showcasing from 55 countries on more than 100 stages.
Alongside the music festival there are several days of interactive and digital events, a film festival and the SXSW Trade Show, which is an opportunity for Welsh creative industry companies to promote their businesses.
The creative industry businesses going as part of the Welsh Government delegation are:
- Turnstile Music – Music promoters, who are also hosting a showcase one evening to show off a selection of their acts which include Cate Le Bon, Gruff Rhys and H Hawkline.
- Focus Wales – A conference/festival based in North Wales.
- Green Man Festival, Brecon
- Dizzyjam – An online merchandising platform that allows bands to make and sell merchandise for fans.
- Nebula Multimedia – An events and performance booker.
- Chameleonic – Providing ‘live’ lighting and imagery for bands.
- Ie Ie Productions – A film production company who will be premiering Gruff Rhys’ new film ‘American Interior’ at SXSW.
The Welsh Music Foundation is supporting a record number of acts at this year’s festival including Cate Le Bon, Gruff Rhys, Sweet Baboo, Gulp and Mike Peters and The Alarm, will promote the Welsh music industry as part of the music festival.
Economy Minister, Edwina Hart said:
“The creative industries is now one of the fastest growing sectors in the Welsh economy, employing over 25,000 people and generating a £1 billion annual turnover. Events like these are crucial for companies to develop new contacts and expand their business. We have many talented entrepreneurs in the creative industries in Wales and the Welsh Government is determined to support them to help their business grow and create jobs.”
One of the companies attending is Cardiff-based Dizzyjam, which is an online direct-to-fan merchandise platform, that enables music makers to create and sell t-shirts to their fans anywhere in the world.
Dizzyjam founder Neil Cocker, said:
“We're a profitable, rapidly-growing start-up that's working in an exciting space. SXSW is a chance for us to spend some time with current and future partners. Here we can meet all of the main music platforms in a very short space of time, and in an environment that's friendlier and less stressful than lots of other conferences. We are grateful to the Welsh Government for supporting us to come here and are sure this will help us find new partners and grow our business.”
