Member Article

Generator Reveals 2017 Evolution Emerging Partners

A cross-section of some of the UK’s most forward thinking cultural businesses and charities have rallied to back the region’s pioneering music event for emerging North East artists.

Evolution Emerging 2017, which will see over 40 musical acts perform across nine stages in the Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle on Saturday, May 27th, have confirmed that the children’s charity Action for Children and International bespoke events franchise Sofar will be partnering this year’s event.

As well as receiving ongoing support from Arts Council England and The PRSF, the pioneering festival will also hook up with the soon to launch Newcastle-based music industry radio outlet NUURADIO, BBC Radio Newcastle and Sunderland-based community radio platform Spark FM to ensure it’s on-going commitment to unearthing the region’s and the UK’s most promising talent.

Charlie Dancer - Generator Acting Live Events Coordinator, explains: “It’s incredibly important that we collaborate with regional and national partners to support the festival, as we believe that realising the potential of our area’s next stars is not the job one individual group, but the combined belief and ambition of several!

“We believe effective collaboration and cohesive partnerships lay at the heart of any great work, and it’s a privilege to produce this year’s event with support from such prolific regional and national organisations.

“A national partner this year is Action For Children, a hugely important charity who provide a real and lasting difference to the lives of thousands of children across the UK. We’re extremely pleased to have them involved with the festival this year!

“On a regional level, we’re pleased to be teaming up with a number of fantastic partners including BBC Newcastle & BBC Introducing In The North East, Spark FM and NuuRadio, as well as bespoke live company Sofar Sounds NE. It’s incredible to have such a diverse network of regional organisations on board.”

NUURADIO, the brainchild of the prominent regional music figure, Paul Twynham - formerly of the O2 Academy Newcastle - believes that it’s essential local businesses back a festival that contributes so much to the musical ecosystem here in the region and beyond.

The new online platform is a music industry focused internet radio station that will showcase new artists and will offer funding opportunities as well as delivering quality content to educate and inspire new artists and those looking for careers in the music industry. NUURADIO will launch mid-April 2017 and will begin to broadcast in May 2017.

“Evolution Emerging and its organisers Generator have put Newcastle Upon Tyne on the map as a culture capital and the event is recognised as one of the main emerging talent showcase events in the UK alongside The Great Escape in Brighton and Liverpool Sound City, “ says Paul.

“We need the event to succeed and prosper for many years to come. If you’re are a genuine music fan Evolution Emerging offers a diverse selection of quality upcoming acts. Having attended the event in previous years there are no words to describe the buzz and excitement during the festival itself. Just walking around between the venues within Ouseburn Valley you can sense the anticipation of all the artists, the camaraderie and passion for doing well.

“We hope that NuuRadio will become the “industry standard” first stop for spotting new artists as they emerge. It’s so hard for new artists to get heard by labels, agents and managers as they are all so busy, to stop and click a link and watch a YouTube video takes time but if NuuRadio is playing in the background they can quite easily carry on working but quickly pick up on tracks they like.”

Jackie Ball, Head of High-Value Fundraising for Action for Children and spokesperson for Byte Night – the celebrated charity sleep-out event – has urged music fans to attend this year’s festival and get involved with their forthcoming project. She said: “We are delighted that Evolution Emerging have chosen to support Action for Children this year and help raise awareness of Byte Night and the charity’s vital work in the North East of England.

“There’s nothing like actually sleeping out to gain a tiny insight into some of the daily challenges of young homeless people. “It’s an absolutely inspirational event and we’re encouraging people to register now. “There’s the unique opportunity to be part of one of the biggest annual fundraisers in the UK, and to make a real difference for young disadvantaged people that Action for Children works with all year round, providing essential support, education, and accommodation.”

Meanwhile the people behind Evolution Emerging Partner Sofar, have been revolutionising the live music experience since 2009 by bringing the attention back to the artists. Every month, they give a handful of the finest acts around the chance to play in a gallery, café, castle or a living room filled with engaged music fans who are excited to discover their next favourite band.

Its founder Mat Hunsley adds: “Sofar Sounds is a truly global movement delivering unique concerts in over 320 cities worldwide.

“Generator and Evo Emerging’s support of new artists is second to none in the North East!

“We are extremely excited to be working alongside them this year and look forward to bringing a unique ‘Sofar’ edge to our own little corner of the Ouseburn.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jane Crosby .