Gilles Peterson's We Out Here festival launches 'Future Foundations': supporting next-gen promoters

16 July 2024 - Press release

AN ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND-SUPPORTED PROJECT MENTORING 15 GRASSROOTS PROMOTERS VIA TRAINING, WORKSHOPS & NETWORKING: APPLICATIONS OPEN TODAY!

Announcing on We Out Here Socials 1pm

 

Today, We Out Here Festival (WOH) launches an open call for the next generation of Grassroots Music Promoters. Fifteen participants will be chosen to take part in FutureFoundations, a new Arts Council England-supported incubator project for emerging promoters focusing on engaging those currently underrepresented in the industry.

We Out Here is launching Future Foundations in response to the difficulties facing the grassroots music sector. “Grassroots promoters are at the foundation of the scene: often taking personal and financial risks to platform future talent pipelines, many of which end up on festival stages such as ours. Facing greater economic risks, it’s all the harder for new, diverse talent to break through. We’ve developed this project in consultation with some emerging grassroots promoters we greatly admire, hearing what they need in support to take their brands to the next level. We’re delighted to have secured funding from the Arts Council to make this plan a reality!” - We Out Here

Leveraging over two decades of experience promoting gigs, shows, and festivals, WOH founders Gilles Peterson (Worldwide Festival) and Noah Ball (Outlook, Dimensions, Cross the Tracks) consulted alongside up-and-coming brands no_one, Selextorhood, and Brakery, to shape the programme. The resulting focus is on developing strong brands – providing mentorship opportunities and training such as Accessibility Training with Attitudeis Everything and Safer Spaces training with Good Night Out for more future-proofed events.

Future Foundations kicks off at We Out Here Festival (15-18th August 2024), where selected participants will be hosted for a bespoke programme of developmental activities, with travel, accommodation, food, and drink provided. Promoters will immerse in industry-focused workshops, panels, and masterclasses in the festival’s new back-of-house industry area, Behind Our Scenes, supported by Red Bull. The area will also host over 200 industry leaders from the world of grassroots music, who will engage with the participants through networking sessions. Each promoter will also be matched with a mentor to guide them through the programme.

“We’ve heard from promoters that it can be a case of getting lucky with who you know and that the industry is largely London-centric, making it difficult for those outside of the area to get a look in,” says a WOH spokesperson. “By creating a new back-of-house industry area, with thanks to Red Bull’s support, we can create our own networking space for participants, curate a new programme of focused talks and panels, and bring our industry together.”

Future Foundations will host six monthly workshops or training sessions following the festival. The participants will vote on each session's topic, choosing from fields such as finance, brand partnerships, ticket operators, funding applications, marketing, and more.

Applications open today, Tuesday 16th July (LINK BELOW), and close Thursday, 25th July 23:59. We Out Here is committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity in the promoter industry, and as such, we encourage applications from those currently underrepresented: promoters from ethnic minority backgrounds, female and gender minorities, and areas outside of London. Three places on the programme have also been ring-fenced for We Out Here's local area of Dorset.

Application form: linked here.

 

Enveloped by towering trees, the site offers We Out Here’s positive and passionate community a unique opportunity to switch off from the outside world and, together, fully immerse in what’s fast become We Out Here’s trademark offering: outstanding live music, some of the best record collections in the world, high-end sound and production, family, wellness & cultural activities and above all, uniting a worldwide family of conscious music-loving people. *Ticket information is available at www.weoutherefestival.com.