Showcase Scotland

What is it?

Approaching its 9th year, Showcase Scotland has become the largest international gathering of the music industry in Scotland. It is a global leader and 2007 saw over 150 delegates attend, representing 27 nations of the world.


Showcase Scotland introduces international and worldwide audiences to new music. Its aim is to secure performances for Scottish based artists on a global scale - creating new audiences for existing artists and introducing new artists to
existing audiences.

We have a phenomenal wealth of talent in Scotland in traditional, folk and roots music, from every corner of this country. Showcase Scotland gives our artists the chance to play to a global audience, via the representatives who attend this event. As such it is a key part of our showcasing strategy ensuring the best of Scottish musical talent, of all genres, reaches the largest possible audience.

Ian Smith, Head of Music, Scottish Arts Council

When and where does it take place?

Showcase Scotland is hosted as part of Celtic Connections and takes the middle weekend of the festival every year. The concerts are all a programmed part of the festival and concert-goers during the middle weekend may not even be aware they are attending a Showcase Scotland event.

Showcase Scotland has opened to me a wider world of music and has given me the opportunity to see and give young bands a chance to perform outside their country. It has also given me the opportunity to meet people from other festivals.

Rik Couchez, Deerlycke Folkfestival, Belgium

Who attends?

Musical directors and programmers of leading festivals and venues from around the world are targeted to attend the event and around 60 songwriters, bands and musicians are showcased. A Trade Fair closes the event where promoters meet with artists and their representatives to discuss ‘bookings’. If you see people standing at seated gigs during the Showcase weekend at the festival – they are most likely delegates.

Showcase Scotland provides a unique opportunity to see the best established and up and coming Scottish folk artists and also to meet and discuss ideas with the leading promoters of celtic music from around the world.

Eddie Barcan, Cambridge Folk Festival

Why is Showcase linked with Celtic Connections?

The concerts during the Showcase weekend are produced within Celtic Connections ensuring that promoters and bands benefit from the reaction of a live audience.  New and young artists are deliberately programmed to open all concerts, this way Scottish audiences are introduced to a vast array of new talent. The acts gain experience and exposure and are also seen by worldwide ‘bookers’.

Showcase Scotland provides a unique insight to the wealth of fine Scottish artists. I have been privileged for several years now, to get the opportunity to see both established stars and those in the ascendancy in inspiring settings. I have gone on to book numerous performers that I've first seen at Showcase Scotland. Karine Polwart, Julie Fowlis, Steve Byrne, Croft No. 5, Emily Smith, Michael Marra and Aidan O'Rourke are just a few who have made a big impression. Aidan’s Sirius composition became the obvious choice to be included in a major new music commission Towersey Festival has received funding for. Seeds sown at Showcase Scotland are growing tall at festivals around the UK and beyond.

Alan Bearman, Towersey Festival

How successful is Showcase Scotland?

Showcase Scotland has had many successes – here’s just a taste of some of the event’s achievements. 

  • 94% of the industry attending have developed lasting contacts and have stayed in touch with a view to the longer term
  • Creation of International festivals and events that feature Scottish artists can be directly attributed to Showcase Scotland. Current existing examples are the USA and Italy
  • Over 500 individual bookings were secured for artists as a result of Showcase Scotland
  • A major recording contract was agreed for the band Aberfeldy on the Rough Trade label
  • The European Broadcasting Union held its A.G.M during Showcase with 16 European Radio Producers attending and CBC (Canada) sent one journalist
  • That the delegate reach was a staggering forty eight million two hundred and sixty three thousand and six
  • By 2005 Showcase was fully subscribed with demand for space so high that a waiting list for delegate attendance was established
  • The first Celtic Music Festival in Columbia has been established. They are in discussions with 2 Showcase artists
  • At least 5 artists secured Canadian tours with Dochas touring for 3 weeks and selling over 800 albums (Dochas showcased in 2004 and so demonstrate the value of the events longevity)
  • Filska have secured a 2 week tour of Estonia, a major Canadian festival and an autumn Italian tour. Filska showcased as part of our international partner 2006 (Highlands and Islands) at their drinks reception
  • Julie Fowlis has been booked for every major British Festival in 2006
  • Unusual Suspects are touring Croatia in 2006  (they showcased in 2005)

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