South West Sound 08 – Facing Up to a Changing Climate
South West Sound 08 tackles the changing climate facing the music busineess during Day 2 at Dartington College of Arts. The nature of the business and the business’ effect on the environment are both put into the spotlight with key notes speeches by Gorillaz manager Chris Morrison and Carling Weekend, Glastonbury and Fleadh organiser Melvin Benn.
Chris Morrison has been in the music management business for over thirty years representing the best of cutting edge music from Thin Lizzy to The Jesus and Mary Chain, Dead or Alive to Blur. His company, CMO has adapted to the ever-changing industry over the decades and, in the era of the 360º deal, Chris will lead us through the rapidly evolving issues facing artists today.
Melvin Benn had a ten year background of producing political and campaigning festivals throughout the UK before establishing The Festival Office Ltd in 1989 to create and produce festivals for the Mean Fiddler. Today his company, Festival Republic, has a prortfolio that includes Carling Weekend Reading & Leeds, Latitude, Rise, St Patrick’s Day, Fleadh plus an involvement with Glastonbury Festival. Festival Republic is acutley aware of the environmental impact its business and festivals have on the environment. They strive to use innovative solutions to fundamental areas of impact such as energy, waste and transport.
Apart from the immediate benefit in ‘going green’ Melvin will show us how a focus on sustainable practices will positively impact the industry.