Rock the House is an accessible vehicle through which to capture the imagination of the public and legislators in recognition of the need to support and promote the live music sector. It aims to promote the intellectual property rights of unsigned and up and coming musicians; and highlight the importance of live music venues to local communities.
Under the competition rules, I will nominate one band and one live music venue from Makerfield on 31 March 2011. Any band or live music venue can enter the competition by downloading and completing an application form and send fully completed submissions to my office at Elizabeth House, The Pier, Pottery Rd, Wigan WN3 4EX by 31st March.
Finalists and winners will be determined by an independent judging panel, which includes Chris Ingham, Group Publisher of Future Publishing, musicians and music professionals, Mike Weatherley MP and John Robertson MP (Chair of the APPG on Music).
The Panel will determine the five finalists in each category, and the shortlist will be announced by the end of May 2011. Each of the finalists will be invited to a star studded reception on the Terrace of the House of Commons, on 30th June 2011, where the winners will be announced.
The sponsors and supporters have pulled together an unbelievable array of prizes, many of which money can’t buy, including: the chance to perform live on the terrace at the House of Commons and at a top music venue or a music festival; a photo shoot with an internationally published music photographer; Yamaha gear and instruments; the chance to network and have consultancy sessions with top industry professionals; master classes from top sound and lighting engineers; the opportunity to record music; the chance to make a music video; invaluable PR exposure through coverage in Future Publishing’s catalogue of specialist music titles; and many more runners up prizes.
Rock the House is supported by a myriad of big names within the international and British music sector: Yamaha music; UK Music; Future Publishing; BPI; Live Nation; Consumer Focus; Music Managers Forum (MMF); Incorporated Society of Musicians; MVPA; the All Party Parliamentary Group on Music (APPG on Music); and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Pubs & Clubs (APPG on Pubs & Clubs).
Music is hugely important to this country. My hope in supporting ‘Rock The House’ is to put the spotlight on some very important issues within the music industry and increase political support to ensure that the UK’s composers, artists and musicians can continue to dominate the world stage."
Certainly, I believe it is vital that we recognise role of intellectual property in enabling artists to generate an income, the significant contribution that music sales make to the British economy, and our continued development of new talent.
The future of music is in the hands of the up and coming artists, and the live music venues which support them, that are finding it increasingly hard to break through in a sector where many consumers think it is their right to access content for free.
For further information click here.
