When one looks at the festival schedules across Europe, it is amazing how limited the number of UK bands involved are, especially of the younger generation. Bigger names, such as Go Go Penguin, Sons of Kemet or Ezra Collective. But, for example, at the Jazzahead trade fair in Bremen, no UK acts out of 45 showcases, and often the only younger UK artists are those who are living outside the UK, such as Kit Downes or Django Bates. So, at some prestigious festivals such as Saalfelden, there are no UK acts or perhaps one (such as at Suedtirol).
What is to be done? (To quote Lenin!) Is it because they don’t know better, or festival organisers are too lazy to check what is going across the Channel. (Certainly, those who do make this effort are blown away, such as 5 UK bands at Inntoene in Austria.) Or they are so inundated by alternatives from other countries that they don’t seem to ‘need’ bands from London or elsewhere? Or are UK bands too expensive, especially as there is no government support available to help touring internationally?
Join today’s discussion, led by Vortex director Oliver Weindling, who himself has been spending the past few weeks going around a few festivals, especially in Austria and Romania. (Many reviewed on Londonjazznews.com) Open to all. It would be great to hear experiences, as listeners or musicians.
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Topic: Vortex discussion
Time: Aug 1, 2023 04:30 PM London
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