Music Business Support Conference 18 – 19 July

soundbytes music conference preston

A practical workshop for people who are planning a new music business will be held in Lancashire this weekend. 

It’s part of the SoundBytes Un-Convention 2014 music industry conference and workshops, taking place on Friday 18 July and Saturday 19 July in Preston. 

SoundBytes Un-convention comes to the city for two days of performance, workshops, panels and talks around independent music and creativity. 

It has been arranged by Creative Lancashire, in conjunction with Un-Convention & Transmit. 

Un-Conventions have taken place across five continents, from Belfast and Swansea through to Brisbane, Mumbai and Sao Paulo. 

Ed Matthews-Gentle from Creative Lancashire said: “Soundbytes is a must for anyone looking to develop their career as either an artist or music professional. There’ll be sessions on developing and commercialising new ideas, along with chances to talk to successful people from the music industry.” 

“This year the event will also focus on opportunities for artists and independent music companies in the modern music landscape, and strategies to encourage collaboration.” 

Creative Lancashire is a service provided by Lancashire County Council through its economic development company, Lancashire County Developments Limited. It supports digital and creative businesses with a range of sector-specific specialist business development and investment advice. 

As part of Soundbytes, Ivor Novello-award winning musician Simon Aldred from indie-rock band Cherry Ghost will lead the latest Conversation in Creativity session on Friday (18 July). It’s on from 6pm to 8:30pm in St John’s Minster, Preston. 



Start-up music business workshop – Friday 18 July 


Mark Hobrough from Swansfield Music will be presenting a practical workshop for those who are planning a new music business. Support will be provided in developing and commercialising new ideas. 
Subjects covered will include: 

  • Music industry overview
  • New business models
  • Making money in new music business
  • How you can stay ahead of the curve
  • Being self-employed in the music industry


Soundbytes Un-convention – Saturday 19 July 


Un-Convention returns for a day of panels and talks around independent music and creativity. This year we will build on the success of the previous events, bringing together artists, promoters, labels, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals to discuss careers in music through to ideas for the development of the local scene. This year the event will focus on opportunities for artists, independent music companies in the modern music landscape and strategies to encourage collaboration. 


Participants include The Heartbreaks, John Dawkins (manager, The Enemy / The Twang), Mike Burgess (HeavyFeet), Louis Barabbas (Debt Records), Laura Kidd (She Makes War), Chris Cooke (CMU Daily), James Cook (Delphic), plus more to be announced. Performances throughout the day. 


For info visit – www.creativelancashire.orgwww.unconventionhub.org 

or www.transmitstartups.co.uk


Follow them on Twitter – @CreativeLancs, @Unconvention or @TransmitStartUp. 


Day one: Workshops 
Friday 18 July, from 10am to 5pm. 
Cotton Court, Church Street, Preston, PR1 3BY 
Followed by the Conversation in Creativity session – from 6pm to 8:30pm in St John’s Minster, Preston. 

Day two: Un-Convention 
Saturday 19 July, 11:30am to 6pm. 
St Johns Minster, Church Street, Preston, PR1 3BU