12.30-5.00PM THURSDAY 23RD JULY
A free online conference for the folk, roots and acoustic music sector
Now and post-pandemic: exploring innovation in the folk music sector
Since early in the UK’s lockdown, English Folk Expo (EFEx) has been asking artists and industry across the folk, roots and acoustic music sector to contribute short videos of tips, ideas and information that may be useful to other people within our sector at this time. We titled the video series Folk Talk and created space for the videos on the EFEx website.
Now under the banner of Folk Talk Live, we are extending the initiative to an afternoon online conference, on Thursday 23rd July, where we can explore together the new innovations and positive responses that are being taken to the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic. We believe that by sharing expertise and innovation we can together help our folk, roots and acoustic music scene stay strong and even thrive.
With the opening address by Kevin Brennan MP, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Folk Arts, the conference will host panel discussions on whether live streaming is a viable alternative to live performance and whether Covid-19 has encouraged innovation in album promotion. There will also be an in-conversation with a venue, festival and folk club to discuss the challenges of the current situation, and a videoed panel discussion on diversity in folk music in the context of the Black Lives Matter movement, presented by Lady Nade and featuring Yola, Kyshona and Allison Russell (Bird of Chicago, Our Native Daughters).
The day will close with a Q&A with Tom Kiehl, acting CEO of UK Music, led by EFEx board member Keith Harris.
The Agenda – Thursday 23rd July
12:30
Opening address
Kevin Brennan MP, Chair of the All Party and whether Covid-19 has encouraged innovation is album promotion. There will also be an in conversation Parliamentary Group on Folk Arts.
13:00
Can live streaming be a viable alternative to live performance?
Provocation by Matt Bartlett (Midnight Mango)
Chair: Michael Hughes (The Young’uns)
Panel: Victoria Robinson (The Met, Bury), Wozzy Brewster (Midi Music Company), Matthew Bannister (Folk on Foot)
14:00
In conversation: A venue, a folk club, a festival and the future
Rebecca Stewart (Cambridge Folk Festival), David Agnew (English Folk Expo / So It Is), Fay Hield (Royal Traditions Folk Club)
14:30
Does folk music in the UK have a problem with diversity?
Bristolian singer-songwriter Lady Nade is currently a participant in the English Folk Expo 2019/2020 Mentoring Programme working with her mentor Keith Harris OBE, who is himself an active member of The UK Music’s Diversity Taskforce. In this session she speaks to Grammy nominated Yola, Kyshona and Allison Russell (Birds of Chicago, Our Native Daughters) about diversity in the UK folk music scene and beyond in the context of the Black Lives Matter movement.
15:30
Has COVID-19 encouraged innovation in album promotion?
How has a shrinking media presence for folk impacted this?
Provocation by Sam Carter
Chair: Kellie While (7digital)
Panel: Jo Frost (Songlines), Esther Tewkesbury (Kartel Music Group), Richard Wootton (Richard Wooton PR)
16.30
Q&A with Tom Kiehl, acting CEO of UK Music led by EFEx Board member and artist manager Keith Harris OBE.
17:00
Closing remarks
To secure a free place for Folk Talk Live, prospective attendees should click here: https://ticketyswift.com/event/folk-talk-live-2020/
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