Un-Convention 2021 | Day 1

The 106th Un-Convention is taking place in person at the 02 Ritz in Manchester, UK today and tomorrow and is simultaneously live streamed for free on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter and Streamgm.co.uk.

Find out more about the event and tomorrow's line up here: https://www.unconventionhub.org/

This is what’s on today (all times are GMT):

10.15 Introduction with Tony Walsh

10.30 The State Of The Nation

To open the conference programme, this discussion covers the current state of the independent music sector in the UK. From the perspective of artists and managers, venues, publishers and festivals, how do we stand, and where are things going? What are the key challenges we face in recovering, growing and sustaining a prosperous and equitable industry?

with

Gordon Masson (IQ Magazine) — Moderator

Lucie Caswell (Music Publishers Association)

Paul Reed (Association of Independent Festivals)

Beverley Whitrick (Music Venue Trust)

Annabella Coldrick (Music Managers Forum)

11.45 In Conversation with Frank Turner

Frank’s career as an artist has spanned two decades. Renowned for his prolific touring he has played nearly two and half thousands shows around the world. He is also a true champion of independent music and is a key supporter of the Music Venue Trust’s ‘Save Our Venues Campaign’. Through a series of livestream events, he has helped to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds to support grassroots venues around the country. In this session Frank will talk about his career and his work to support the sector.

with

Steve Lawson – Moderator

Frank Turner (Artist)

12.45 Break

1.45 Performance – Chloe Foy

1.50 What We Learnt When Everything Stopped

This has been a year to rethink and reassess. An enforced separation from one another and our audiences has meant that many people working in music have had to adapt to new ways of working and connecting. It has also given us time to reflect on how the industry used to work, and to consider whether this pause has given us an opportunity to make better choices as we restart. New ideas of how to connect with people online have already highlighted the potential for a more accessible and equitable sector, perhaps even eroding some social and geographical barriers. People have also had time to reassess how we value music in our lives and communities, and the importance of camaraderie in such uncertain times. In this session we consider what lockdown has taught us, and the positives we can take from having to rethink how we do things.

with

Stewart Baxter (LIFE) - Moderator

LNA (Producer, Songwriter and Performer)

Laurie Vincent (Slaves)

Sara Leigh Shaw (Drummer, Songwriter and Producer)

Nathan Clark (Brudenell Social Club)

3.00 KEYNOTE – Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester

3.30 In Conversation with Ed O’Brien

Ed is a founding member of Radiohead. Formed in 1985, the band have sold more than 30 million records worldwide. They have achieved 7 top ten hits in the UK, won 6 Grammy Awards, are the most nominated band in Mercury Prize history, and in 2019 were inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. Ed has recorded 9 studio albums with Radiohead, and in 2020 released his first solo record ‘Earth’ on Capitol Records, under the name EOB.

As well as his work as a musician Ed is a founding member of the Featured Artist Coalition, set up to protect the rights of featured musical artists. In this session Ed will discuss his career and his wider work to support music creators.

with

John Robb - Moderator

Ed O’Brien (Radiohead)

4.40 Developing Regional Music Scenes

A discussion on the current challenges of music scenes around the UK. The Regional Music Scenes Network has been set up to help share ideas and best practice between those championing independent music across the country, from large cities to towns and rural areas. The purpose of the network is to identify what is and isn’t working in various scenes with a view to developing strategies to help support music making in the future. This session will reflect on the impact the pandemic has had on different music scenes across the country, look at best practice that has developed over this period, and explore ideas of how we can ensure music scenes can restart, grow and continue to play a vital role in their local communities.

with

Jez Collins (Birmingham Music Archive) - Moderator

Rose Goodship (Cornwall Music Network)

Adam Daly (Hastings Fat Tuesday)

Yasin El Ashrafi (HQ Familia. Leicester)

Jay Landman (Pillar Artists, Newcastle)

Chris Sherrington (The Fulford Arms, York)