04/07/2009 Independents Day 2009 Is Here!
Celebrations for Independents Day 2009 are now underway, this year spread over a full week from 4th-10th July, following the unprecedented response to last year’s global celebration of independent music.
Organisers AIM have worked alongside Live Nation and member labels to put on a series of live gigs at London’s prestigious ICA venue, commencing this evening and running until the end of the week. The events will bring together some of the UK’s most iconic independent labels, with a different label curating each night, showcasing some of their finest acts. Bella Union, XL Recordings, Matador, Fat Cat Records and One Little Indian are taking part, with hotly tipped acts including The Twilight Sad, St Vincent, My Latest Novel and Daedelus performing.
In addition to the label nights, Tuesday evening is being curated by the legendary independent record store, Rough Trade East. The opening nights (Monday and Tuesday) will be introduced by Radio 1’s Huw Stephens.
Independents Day is about shining a spotlight on the exciting and diverse musical talent of the independent sector, and a wide range of TV channels, radio stations, press and online destinations are doing just that:
** MTV2 hosted 9 video specials throughout the night on Saturday 4th July. Entitled “MTV Loves…”, the specials focused on the music of a selection of iconic independent labels, including Rough Trade, Domino, XL, Creation, Wichita, Factory, Warp, Beggars and Moshi Moshi.
** BBC 6Music played only independent music all day on Saturday 4th July, with highlights including a special Andrew Collins show looking at independent music through the ages and Lauren Laverne’s interview with indie darlings White Lies.
** We7.com, the online music destination, today launch a special Independents Day playlist, featuring the best new music from the independent sector. The playlist showcases 30 tracks from independent labels large and small and from a range of musical genres, demonstrating the talent and diversity of the sector. http://www.we7.com/#/user/view-playlist!playlistId=539915&play=true
** Spotify and Sharemyplaylists.com have teamed up to produce a number of Independents Day playlists dedicated to labels including Rough Trade, Ninja Tune and XL Recordings, as well as lists featuring classic independent tracks and the newest up and coming artists to hit the scene. http://www.sharemyplaylists.com/?s=Independents+Day+09
http://www.spotify.com/blog/
** XFM’s new music champion Jon Hillcock focused on independent acts on last night’s New Noise show, whilst music guru John Kennedy is to give away tickets to the Independents Day gigs on tonight’s X-Posure between 10pm and 1am, as well as playing tracks from a number of the acts performing.
** Xbox 360 have teamed up with Placebo, following their first independent release, to give Xbox LIVE community members the chance to interview the band and win tickets to their gig at The Roundhouse on July 14th. Video footage of the Placebo interview will be featured on Xbox Live in coming weeks.
The occasion is also being marked with coverage on DrownedinSound, BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, BBC 1Xtra, and in The Independent newspaper amongst others, so there are plenty places for music fans to find out about the occasion and enjoy the music of the sector where much of today’s musical talent is found, nurtured and developed.
AIM Chairman and CEO Alison Wenham states: “The independent sector is roaring with talent, energy and enthusiasm, and AIM is once again delivering an opportunity for artists and indie labels to take centre stage for a week. It’s incredibly exciting for us and for music fans.”
Full details of all the UK Independents Day 2009 activity and the links for booking gig tickets can be found at www.independentsday2009.com.
Elsewhere in the world, celebrations are taking place in a number of territories, as part of the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN). In Italy a song has been released to mark the occasion, in Japan a free live concert of independent acts took place on Saturday and in Spain both independent labels and artists have been honoured at a special Independent Music awards ceremony.
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