M17 Ymateb Gan Gŵyl Y Dyn Gwyrdd / Response from Green Man Festival
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Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru / National Assembly for Wales Pwyllgor Diwylliant, y Gymraeg a Chyfathrebu / Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee Diwydiant Cerddoriaeth yng Nghymru / Music Industry in Wales CWLC M17 Ymateb gan Gŵyl y Dyn Gwyrdd / Response from Green Man Festival Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee Consultation Response: Music Industry Inquiry Green Man Now in its 18th year Green Man is one of the remaining large independent UK music festivals. It is run by a Powys SME, with no shareholding owned or core costs supported by music corporations, angel investors or media companies or public funded bodies. We are unique and focused on our commitment to building a sustainable and inclusive future in Wales. The festival experience includes music, culture, food and drink, comedy, film, theatre, wellness, tourism and science for people of all ages. A strong sense of place in the Brecon Beacons National Park, and a history of discovering new music talent and turning them into future headliners attracts a returning audience and sells out tickets many months in advance. We have benefitted from event funding from the Welsh Government which has been invested into the site, marketing and promotion, and supported projects that generate wealth into Wales. Green Man received its first Welsh Government funding in its 8th year of trading, and is not funded annually. We work with various departments across the Welsh Government because the Green Man operation extends over different sectors. Green Man Trust, the festival’s charitable arm was founded in 2013. The majority of its operational costs are funded by the festival with individual donors and Arts Council Wales also contributing. It’s charitable aims include the development of emerging artists, supporting disadvantaged people in Wales (offering training and community support), and to increase a better understanding of science and the environment. Arts Council Wales funding contributes to arts development projects only. Since 2013 Green Man Trust has supported 3,000 emerging artists, 2,000 trainees, 200 science engagement projects, 27 grants for Welsh communities. The Health of the Music Industry 1 Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru / National Assembly for Wales Pwyllgor Diwylliant, y Gymraeg a Chyfathrebu / Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee Diwydiant Cerddoriaeth yng Nghymru / Music Industry in Wales CWLC M17 Ymateb gan Gŵyl y Dyn Gwyrdd / Response from Green Man Festival We note that this inquiry is relatively broad-ranging, and is seeking to ask questions about multiple industries, business sectors and art forms. It is a complex field and 2 Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru / National Assembly for Wales Pwyllgor Diwylliant, y Gymraeg a Chyfathrebu / Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee Diwydiant Cerddoriaeth yng Nghymru / Music Industry in Wales CWLC M17 Ymateb gan Gŵyl y Dyn Gwyrdd / Response from Green Man Festival there is unlikely to be a clear set of answers to the questions asked, and more government activity may not be the right response. Policy and funding decisions designed to support the art form of music may be very different from those designed to promote the commercial music industry, or the development of music performers within that industry. That distinction should be understood and reflected in any recommendations. Developing New Artistic Talent In terms of the health of the contemporary or popular music sector, the pursuit and identification of music talent will always be at its heart. Also many people enjoy the pleasure of music performance in a non-commercial setting and that should always be respected and encouraged. Regarding the live music sector there are various streams of income that a successful artist can generate. But the most significant is the ability to generate ticket sales. So, a way to evaluate the health of Welsh artistic music talent is to look at their ability to sell out different capacity venues. 1. Stadium a. Cardiff Principality - 90,000 capacity b. London Wembley Stadium - 74,000 capacity c. Manchester Etihad Stadium - 55,000 capacity 2. ARENA a. Cardiff Motorpoint Arena - 10,000 capacity b. London Alexandra Palace - 10,400 capacity c. Birmingham NEC Arena - 15,800 capacity 3. Venue A a. Wales Millenium Centre - 2,597 capacity b. London Brixton Academy - 5000 capacity c. Bristol Colston Hall - 2,075 capacity d. Manchester O2 Ritz - 1,500 capacity 4. Venue B a. Cardiff Tramshed - 1000 capacity b. London Barbican - 1,100 capacity 3 Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru / National Assembly for Wales Pwyllgor Diwylliant, y Gymraeg a Chyfathrebu / Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee Diwydiant Cerddoriaeth yng Nghymru / Music Industry in Wales CWLC M17 Ymateb gan Gŵyl y Dyn Gwyrdd / Response from Green Man Festival c. Bristol SWX - 1,100 capacity 4 Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru / National Assembly for Wales Pwyllgor Diwylliant, y Gymraeg a Chyfathrebu / Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee Diwydiant Cerddoriaeth yng Nghymru / Music Industry in Wales CWLC M17 Ymateb gan Gŵyl y Dyn Gwyrdd / Response from Green Man Festival 5. Venue C a. Cardiff Club Ifor Bach - 380 capacity b. London Moth Club - 300 capacity c. Bristol Crofters Rights - 300 capacity d. Manchester YES - 250 capacity e. London Shacklewell Arms - 200 capacity f. Newport Le Pub - 100 capacity 6. Venue D a. Various non-specifically music (pubs, clubs, restaurants) venues which offer occasional live music performance as part of the customer experience - from 20 to 100 capacity Wales has many world class music performers. However, it would be an interesting piece of research to examine how many sell-out headline acts who could fill the larger venues have emerged in Wales since the millenium. Streaming Streaming has created new opportunities to access and listen to music. Now all musicians have an opportunity to promote their music without even leaving their home, as anyone can create playlists. The concept of ‘bedroom pop,’ has recently risen to prominence. Mostly in relation to ‘pop,’ music rather than other music genres. Those with millions of followers can expect to get payment for their ‘brand influence,’ on media platforms. It has also created a new avenue to gain access to music management as artists have been signed based on large number of followers. Access into the Music Industry It is difficult to make the case for specific government intervention that would deliver this outcome, but it is important to ensure that there is a supportive environment and that must begin early in child education. Early investment in music in schools, develops both the musicianship and the passion for making music is key to encouraging more young people to consider a career in music and performance. It also offers an inclusive music opportunity for all, and not just for 5 Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru / National Assembly for Wales Pwyllgor Diwylliant, y Gymraeg a Chyfathrebu / Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee Diwydiant Cerddoriaeth yng Nghymru / Music Industry in Wales CWLC M17 Ymateb gan Gŵyl y Dyn Gwyrdd / Response from Green Man Festival children whose parents are willing to offer and can afford music lessons. 6 Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru / National Assembly for Wales Pwyllgor Diwylliant, y Gymraeg a Chyfathrebu / Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee Diwydiant Cerddoriaeth yng Nghymru / Music Industry in Wales CWLC M17 Ymateb gan Gŵyl y Dyn Gwyrdd / Response from Green Man Festival If every Welsh child had an opportunity to learn a musical instrument what an incredible investment that would be into their lives and what a strong statement that would make to the world. Wales has been highly successful in developing acting talent, and most successful Welsh actors will claim their early experiences in Welsh youth drama organisations has helped them achieve their goals. Artists and bands should be saying the same. Green Man Artist Development When organising the music on stage across the week, we ensure that we promote women and BAME artists. This includes providing a specific stage at Green Man designed to showcase up and coming Welsh bands, and mentoring for Welsh promoters, record labels or music management to learn to book a festival stage. The Settlement Stage has an opportunity to be seen by a 5,000 capacity audience.. Green Man offers an artist development program called Green Man Rising. Having run for 13 years, last year it attracted over 1,700 bands. It is supported by the festival, Green Man Trust, Arts Council of Wales and donations by music artists such as Bryan Adams. It is designed to find the headliners of the future through the established structures of the music industry. Green Man Rising is unique in that it reflects the reality of professional music development. It is not sponsored or voted on by the public votes which can be manipulated. All applicants are judged by leading music professionals who are currently working in the roles of agents, management or music journalism at national level. World leading music organisations such as CAA, William Morris, Moshi Moshi, Bella Union, Domino Records, Guardian, Times, MOJO, DIY, NME and many others have taken part in judging this competition. The representatives involved are music industry professionals who have a history of identifying managing and developing music talent that can sell out the venues or similar mentioned above. The winners have the opportunity of performing at Green Man, receiving mentoring and