Monday 8th February 2010
Supported and sponsored by the University of Hull in association with the Warren Project for Young People and Warren Records and local further education establishments, City Showcase organised and promoted this popular one day event at the University of Hull. Unique to Finding The Future, the day included a slot for musicians and performers to perform their songs live and be critiqued by the panel of experts. Programme below.
MONDAY 8TH FEBRUARY 2010
FINDING THE FUTURE WORKSHOP – Supported and sponsored by the University of Hull in association with the Warren Project for Young People and Warren Records
11:00 – 11:15
WELCOME SESSION
Nanette Rigg, City Showcase Festival Producer introduces the day’s sessions and the ‘Finding the Future’ panel; Eliot Kennedy (International Songwriter and Producer https://steelworksstudios.com, Grant Dobbs (The Paddingtons), Stewart Baxter (Warren Records) & Tony Moore (Singer/songwriter, Musician, Radio Presenter and Music Promoter).
11:15 – 13:00
THE SONG AT THE CENTRE
A panel discussion exploring the issues around song-writing and invites delegates to put their questions to the experts so come prepared with the questions and songwriting problems that you would like help with.
Can you be taught to write songs and what is the motivation when writing? Do you know when you’re written a hit – can you set out to write one?
Typically, most people write the second verse first so, armed with that information, how important is setting up the chorus? Is a linear conversation important to a lyric?
How much detail should you use when setting up the song and how can collaborations help – is it important to know your strengths and weaknesses and do you use co-writers to bridge those creative gaps?
What is the role of production and arrangements as part of the writing process – how do you determine if a producer will add value as a co-writer? How involved to do you get in the business of writing songs i.e. publishing, pitching to the artist?
When A&R talk of a demo having e.g. 3 singles – what are they looking for – how do they make that judgement – how do A&R decide how to invest?
14:00 – 15:15
YOU DON’T NEED A MANAGER AND YOU DON’T NEED TO BE ‘SIGNED’
A panel discussion on the merits and pitfalls of creating a digital strategy.
Delegates will be invited to put their questions to the experts from the floor so come prepared with the questions and problems you want the answers to.
Technological advancements and the ways music is consumed have changed beyond recognition in the last ten years so how important is setting out a digital strategy and what should you think about when creating yours?
How does your digital strategy fit into your current business and marketing plans?
Consumers have become sophisticated and selective in their choices and audiences are fragmented and dispersed so how do you identify your target audiences? How do you build your fan base and how do you facilitate interactive dialogue?
15:30 – 17:30
LIVE FEEDBACK SESSION
Delegates are invited to perform one song in front of the industry panel to gain valuable feedback on their song-writing and performance skills. Artists have been randomly pre-selected for a session slot.
With performances from:
Alex Ruckledge
Alexander Dunn
Graham Woolley
Jacqueline Ayling
Jody McKenna
Joe Duncan
John Copley
Jonathan Betts
Martin Clappison
Matt Thompson
Robert Fisher
Will Bladen & Danny Wright