Showcase Scotland
Access the Showcase Scotland delegate's Site
25th – 29th January 2011
Showcase Scotland is a delegate based event which takes place in Glasgow during the world’s largest winter music festival, Celtic Connections.
Delegates are issued with a pass which gains them access to festival shows which feature either Scottish artists, or artists from our international partnering nation. Showcase Scotland offers a ‘Spotlight’ on one international partner each year – in 2012 this is Catalonia.
Showcase Scotland will take place during the middle weekend of Celtic Connections, which in 2012 is 25th – 29th January. First time delegates are encouraged to arrive on the 25th when an early bird reception and first time delegates briefing take place.
You email Susie@activeevents.org.uk for an application form who will reply with instructions on how to proceed.
The delegate rate is £100 + VAT.
Yes, they are limited to 200 and to two people per organisation.
Access to all concerts which feature Scottish or Catalan artists in 2011 during the Showcase weekend, as well as access to a host of receptions and seminars, the opportunity to attend a trade fair and sightseeing trip.
You will see some of the best Scottish talent at the world’s largest winter music festival. You will also network with several delegates, all of whom will be festival organisers, promoters, record labels, agents or other industry professionals.
Leading festival and venue promoters from around 25 nations of the world.
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
This is announced through the Showcase Scotland website and is also emailed to each registered delegate. When you arrive you are also given a pocket guide, with a full timetable and biography/contact details of each artist performing.
There are around 45 concerts over 4 days, plus the festival club where you can see short performances from some of the artists performing at the festival. These concerts take place in around 14 venues all within walking distance or a short taxi ride of each other.
Again this is on the website and each delegate receives it by email. It is also in the pocket guide that you will receive on arrival.
Many festivals were already attending Celtic Connections, for ‘inspiration’ and programming ideas for their own events. Celtic Connections, Scottish Arts Council and the British Council (Scotland), felt that this formed the basis for an ‘official showcase’ and so Showcase Scotland was established, since growing to become the largest international showcase of its kind in Europe.
Nova Scotia.
Journalists should contact the Celtic Connections Press Office to apply for press accreditation. This can be done online
If you have requested an airport collection you will be met from the airport and taken to your hotel. Once you are settled, or if you are making your own transfer arrangements, you should head into the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and go to the Showcase Scotland information desk where the team will give you your pass and all additional information you will need.
Yes, unfortunately we cannot provide any extra help with this.
What is it?
Approaching its 13th year, 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
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 place during the final weekend of the festival. The concerts are all a programmed part of the festival and concert-goers during the final weekend may not even be aware they are attending a Showcase Scotland event.
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 also takes place 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.
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’.
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)