More speakers have been announced for a major conference being held at The MAC in Belfast next month to inspire those working in the music industry.
Appearing alongside renowned producer Steve Albini – who in his only European speaking engagement this year will deliver a keynote – will be Paul Hartnoll, formerly one half of pioneering dance duo Orbital, leading a session on music composition based on his experience of scoring BBC drama Peaky Blinders, with music supervisor Amelia Hartley on February 18.
Other workshops include 'Music for Gaming' with Tomb Raider composer Nathan McCree and the filmmaker behind music-for-games documentary Beep, as well as a co-writing panel with BBC 6 Music-endorsed artist Nadine Shah, noted hit single publishers Notting Hill Music and pop songwriter Gary Clark.
Organised by Belfast City Council and Generator NI, the event will also feature a direct-to-fan Q&A with the artist Bry; a session on jazz music artist development by MOBO-nominated artist David Lyttle; representatives from many of the national music stakeholder organizations including PRS for Music, PPL, Featured Artist Coalition (F.A.C), CMU, Help Musicians, IMRO, BMI, SESAC and MCPS.
Composer Nathan McCree, famed for his work on the Tomb Raider series
In addition attendees can expect content from bloggers such as Nialler 9 and author Wyndham Wallace (Lee, Myself And I - Inside The Very Special World Of Lee Hazlewood); a series of Abelton live workshops presented in association with AVA Festival (who will also be running an event on boutique festival creation introduced by the chairman of A.I.F, the Association of Independent Festivals); sessions by music supervisors on music placement in television; and a session on PR and media opportunities in rock and metal. More panels will be announced soon.
The conference is expected to be attended by around 500 local artists, businesses and students, and will address the challenges and opportunities that the music industry presents, highlighting the key role that music and performance plays within Northern Ireland’s buoyant creative industries sector.
Councillor Deirdre Hargey, Chair of the council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee, said: 'The economic and cultural contribution and potential of the creative industries is widely acknowledged.
'The council is committed to supporting those working in the fields of film, music, digital media and design to achieve their true economic and creative potential. This unique one-day event is designed to provide a high quality, internationally recognised conference and showcasing event that will help to underpin and accelerate the development of skills, networks and market opportunities for artists and businesses in Belfast’s burgeoning music industry sector,' she added.
After the day's sessions the emphasis will switch to live music, with a series of free pop-up gigs at venues across the city centre. Details of the music programme will be announced at the end of this month.
Registration is now open at www.outputbelfast.com.
