We’re excited to announce that our research into the UK’s DIY music scenes has been longlisted for SXSW London’s inaugural UK event in 2025. This is a unique opportunity to share the vital importance of grassroots music communities with a global audience—and we need your help to secure our place in the final programme!
In May 2024, we published The Curating Composer: Creating Cultures of New Music, an in-depth exploration of how grassroots music scenes begin, grow, and thrive in the face of increasing challenges such as venue closures, funding cuts, and limited industry support. The paper identifies four common themes shaping grassroots music and provides actionable recommendations for the UK music industry to ensure these vital scenes continue to flourish.
Co-authored by Sound and Music’s Chief Executive, Will Dutta, and Creative Project Leader, Fiona Allison, this research combines insights from trailblazers like Provhat Rahman and Ryoko Akama, founders of artist-collectives Daytimers / Dialled In and ame respectively, with Safiya Bashir and Roohi Sarwar.
Since its publication, The Curating Composer has gained momentum, sparking meaningful conversations and making its mark on the creative industries:
- July 2024: We hosted a breakfast event at Café Oto with music industry leaders to discuss the research and explore actionable next steps.
- January 2025: We’ll be sharing these insights on the global stage at REMIX Summit London.
Why SXSW London Matters
SXSW is renowned for amplifying transformative ideas and creative voices worldwide. As the conference comes to London for the first time in 2025, it’s the perfect platform to highlight why grassroots music communities are crucial—not just for the UK but for the global music industry.
Grassroots music scenes are where innovation and diversity thrive. They are incubators for talent, culture, and creativity, yet they face growing threats from underfunding, shrinking venues, and systemic barriers. Our research underlines the importance of these communities and the urgent need for industry-wide support to ensure they survive and thrive.
How you can help
The public vote for SXSW London is open now, and your support could make all the difference! Voting is simple:
- Register on the SXSW platform
- Search for ‘The Curating Composer’
- Click the heart icon to cast your vote.
Voting closes at 23:59 GMT on 19 December 2024.
Every vote helps amplify this critical message, giving us the chance to share the voices of new music makers and curators with an international audience. With your vote, you help can champion the importance of grassroots music scenes and bring the vital message of supporting them to the forefront.
Thank you for your support—let’s bring this vital conversation to SXSW London!
SXSW London 2025 Official Website
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