SEARCH DATE RANGE

SEARCH TERM OR WORD

The British Music Embassy touches down in SXSW with 80 performances from the UK's most exciting new and emerging artists 20 Feb 2025

The British Music Embassy (BME) is returning to Austin to spotlight some of the leading musical talent from the UK, including acts such as Alt Blk Era, Big Special, Confidence Man, CVC, Sam Ryder and Steam Down. Now in its 17th year, the BME will feature 80 performances, including twelve showcases and parties over an eight-day period.  Since launching at SXSW in 2008, the British Music Embassy has hosted shows for 659 UK acts.

The British Music Embassy is a collaboration from BBC Introducing, UK record labels association the BPI, the Department for Business & Trade (DBT), the British Council, and music licensing company PPL. The BME forms part of UK House bringing together the world's most innovative minds to spark ideas, forge partnerships, and shape the future of the creative economy.

Moving to a new home for 2025, the BME will take over the 700-capacity Palm Door on Sixth Street with a two-stage indoor and outdoor venue, programming the very best of UK music from Saturday 8 March until Saturday 15 March.  UK House & the BME will also host music events during SXSW Interactive including an opening night show on Saturday 8 March, and a special takeover event on Sunday 9 March with the Great Britain and Northern Ireland (GREAT) Campaign, bringing together the finest American and British talent for a series of exclusive collaborations. This includes performances from Adjua, Jurassic 5's Soup (aka Fullee Love)  Kimberly Zielnicki, Mr. Switch, Spiderhorse, The Beatbox Collective, The Beatbox House, The Petebox and special guests.

The BME is also working with a range of programming partners for day parties and evening showcases throughout the week. Evening showcases will be hosted by Beyond the Music Manchester (Monday), Future Arts & Culture with curators PIAS and Ristband (Tuesday), BBC Introducing (Wednesday-Friday) and Chris Hawkins' Awesome Friends (Saturday), while daytime events  will be hosted by Northern Sounds (Wednesday), Band Share & Output Belfast (Thursday), Fatsoma (Friday), Bonza Music and Omen Magazine (Saturday). Media partners for this year's shows include BBC Introducing and Selector Radio, run by the British Council.

On Tuesday, Future Art and Culture are teaming up with award-winning creative studio Ristband who return for a brand-new Future x Music showcase, their biggest at SXSW to date. Taking over UK House, which Future Art and Culture are sponsoring for the first time, it includes a groundbreaking live music mixed reality concert performed by artist and producer Venice Bleach, a diverse lineup of live bands and DJs, and an entirely new spatial audio installation that pulls the audience into a world of digital distortion and immersive soundscapes. The event also kicks off the SXSW Music Festival and closing XR Festival, bringing together the music, tech, film and gaming communities, and offering a window into the future of entertainment.

The BME line-up includes:
Alt Blk Era, Amelia Coburn, Annie-Dog, Antony Szmierek, Baby Said, Beth McCarthy, Big Special, Black Fondu, Blackgold, Casey Lowery, Cloth, Confidence Man, Cortney Dixon, corto.alto, CVC, Deja, Dilettante, Delivery, Emmeline, Ellur, Essii, Finn Forster, Freak Slug, Gurriers, Himalayas, Honeyglaze, INSXGHT, Jacob Alon, Jasmine.4.t, JC Stewart, Jo Hill, Korda Korder, Lizzie Berchie, Man/Woman/Chainsaw, Maruja, Mary In The Junkyard, Master Peace, Nature TV, Ny Oh, OneDa, Pivots, Sam Ryder, Shao Dow, Sir Jude, Steam Down, Summer Pearl, The K's, The Molotovs, Tokio Myers, University, Venice Bleach, Venus Grrrls, Vital Powers, Winnie Ama, Wynona Bleach, Yoshika Colwell
The main stage will once again be powered by the Bowers & Wilkins Sound System, with the world-renowned audio brand's custom built, one-of-a-kind high-performance PA system bringing its revered True Sound to the live music stage. Production Park's Academy of Live Technology will bring their craft and expertise to Austin to ensure UK artists benefit from world class stage production and design.

There will also be networking opportunities for those looking to build business connections worldwide, with a week-long program of panels and roundtables featuring top UK executives and industry experts.

Check out the BME Playlist 2025 here.


Partner Quotes
Kelly Betts, Editor of  BBC Introducing said:  "BBC Introducing will be back at SXSW with our valued partners once again. The British Music Embassy is our UK collaboration and has become an iconic part of the festival where we showcase the hottest acts from home. Alt Blk Era, Jasemine.4.t, Maruja, Deja & Antony Szmierek are just a few of the names we're all really excited to bring from the UK to Texas."

Dr Jo Twist OBE, CEO of BPI (British Phonographic Industry) said: ""SXSW is a vital platform for talented British artists looking to reach influential international audiences, which remains a challenge in today's competitive global music landscape. The British Music Embassy is an incredible springboard for new acts and has played host to a diverse range of UK musical success stories over the years, including the likes of Dave, Glass Animals, IDLES, Jungle and Little Simz. There are some great names across this year's BME line-up, including some supported by the Music Export Growth Scheme, a funding initiative which sees the UK industry and Government unite to help artists develop on the global stage. We're delighted to be returning as a partner of the BME this year to help showcase the next generation of emerging talent, together with our colleagues across the UK's music and tech ecosystems, the UK Government and the British Council."

Giles Pocock, VP of Brand Marketing, Bowers & Wilkins, commented: "We're proud to continue supporting the British Music Embassy and championing the next generation of British talent as they take this pivotal step in their careers. We know how much this moment means to every artist performing at the BME, and we remain fully committed to ensuring their music is heard exactly as they intended and in the highest quality possible."

Joel Mills, Director of Music, British Council said: "The British Music Embassy provides a brilliant and exciting platform for UK artists and talent to showcase at SXSW. It remains a hugely important global facing platform for the best in music, film, arts and technology, creating international networks, business conversations and exchange.
We are delighted to be supporting the British Music Embassy again in 2025 alongside other UK music partners to showcase some of the best of UK talent. It's an important catalyst for developing international profile and audiences for UK artists. Our very own Selector Radio presenter Sian Eleri will be hosting an evening alongside Steve Lamaq as part of a new partnership with BBC Introducing. Together we will be filming a selection of UK artist performances at BME to create session content for sharing with international audiences worldwide."

Rupert Daniels, Director - Consumer, Creative, Sport and Education, Department for Business and Trade said:"We're delighted to continue our ongoing support for BME at SXSW, which plays an instrumental role for showcasing British artists, management, labels and all the associated businesses that work together to develop the UK's exciting music landscape.
In 2023, the UK's music industry contributed £7.6bn to the UK's economy and UK music exports surpassed £4.6bn. I have no doubt that number will continue to rise. It's thanks to the incredible work of our BME partners, many of whom we collaborate with on programmes such as the Music Export Growth Scheme and International Showcase Fund, that we're able to meet this global demand head-on and help UK artists break into new markets.
The UK's Business and Trade Department has supported the BME from its inception to the world-class stage it is today. I can't wait to see international audiences discover their next favourite UK artist at SXSW this year."

Peter Leathem OBE, CEO of PPL said: "As a long-time supporter of the British Music Embassy and an investor in new talent through the PPL Momentum Music Fund and the International Showcase Fund administered by PRS Foundation, we are delighted to be returning to Austin. The event provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase some of the most exciting UK music talent to a global audience and this year is no exception.  We are looking forward to the shows and meeting industry partners from around the world at what promises to be an exciting eight days of music and networking."

Becci Scotcher, Senior Grants & Programmes Manager at PRS Foundation said, "UK investment in overseas showcasing has become increasingly important in recent years. This vital stepping stone for talented UK-based music creators to break into new territories, build audiences and broker deals to develop their careers for the first time, builds the foundation for sustainable careers and the UK's industry to compete on the global stage. The British Music Embassy at SXSW in Austin, Texas, has an unparalleled reputation of unmissable shows from some of today's most exciting UK artists and is an important platform for the UK music industry at one of the biggest festivals globally. We're delighted that through our International Showcase Fund and BBC Introducing partnership we are supporting over 30 exceptional UK-based artists to showcase at this year's festival, many at the BME, and through our UK Sounds collaborative partnership promoting the UK presence at the BME and across the festival."

NEWS & PRESS

21 Feb 2025 | Press release

beatBread launches Deal Comparison Tool to help artists and independent labels make better funding choices, avoid bad deals

Platform enables data-driven comparison and cashflow simulation of offers from distributors, major labels and finance companies.    beatBread, a leader in funding for independent musicians and labels, has launched its Deal Comparison Tool to enable artists and labels to compare and fully...more

21 Feb 2025 | Press release

ATC Live announces two significant staffing developments

  Agent Lucy Atkinson joins the company, expanding ATC Live's representation of electronic music  Alice Hogg is promoted to a newly-created position as Head of Tour Marketing     ATC Live has today announced two significant staffing developments.  First, we are delighted to welcome Lucy Atkinson...more

21 Feb 2025 | Press release

NTIA Slams Government Arts Everywhere Fund Which Marginalises Counterculture

Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, has strongly criticised the Government’s Arts Everywhere Fund for failing to support contemporary and countercultural spaces:"Once again, the government has placed traditional and heritage culture at the forefront while completely ignoring...more

21 Feb 2025 | Press release

Charlotte Saxe appointed as VPL Chair and Alison Wenham OBE and Shamus Damani named directors of VPL Board

VPL, the sister company of PPL that licenses music videos when they are played in public or broadcast on TV, has made three new appointments to the board.   Charlotte Saxe, an existing VPL Board director, has been appointed as VPL Chair,...more

21 Feb 2025 | Press release

Legends appoints Chris Bray as President of Europe

Bray Will Oversee the Combined Legends and ASM Global Business Across the UK and Europe    Legends today announced that Chris Bray has been appointed President of Europe for the combined Legends and ASM Global business. In his expanded role, Bray will...more

21 Feb 2025 | Press release

Atlantic Music Group Inks Label Deal with Abou “Bu” Thiam’s BuVision

Atlantic Music Group announced today that they have formed a partnership with music mogul Abou “Bu” Thiam that brings his BuVision label to the company. Under the new deal, BuVision artist projects will be marketed and released through Atlantic.  “Bu’s commitment...more

21 Feb 2025 | Press release

Impala members launch a new educational project in the central and eastern European region - CEE Independent Music Academy

  Last week in Ljubljana, during the annual MENT Showcase and Industry Conference, a group of trade associations members introduced a new initiative—the CEE Independent Music Academy, supported by IMPALA. Developed through a collaborative effort by several independent associations in Central and Eastern Europe...more

20 Feb 2025 | Press release

The British Music Embassy touches down in SXSW with 80 performances from the UK's most exciting new and emerging artists

The British Music Embassy (BME) is returning to Austin to spotlight some of the leading musical talent from the UK, including acts such as Alt Blk Era, Big Special, Confidence Man, CVC, Sam Ryder and Steam Down. Now in its 17th year, the BME will feature...more

20 Feb 2025 | Press release

Sony Music Publishing Nashville and REDCreative Group Sign Kelly Archer to Global Deal

  Sony Music Publishing Nashville and RED Creative Group today announced the signing of hit songwriter Kelly Archer to a global publishing agreement. The deal reflects SMP Nashville’s continued partnership with RED Creative Group, which includes signings Jeremy Stover, Cole Taylor,...more

20 Feb 2025 | Press release

RHEI Unveils Made: The Personalized AI Dream Team for Creators

The emotionally intelligent AI platform empowers creators with a personalized dream team of proactive and highly specialized AI agents, unlocking creativity RHEI, a global leader in content distribution and marketing for the creator economy with more than 600M monthly users, today...more

20 Feb 2025 | Press release

The Midi Music Company (MMC) celebrates 30 years with investment from Sony Music UK's Social Justice Fund

The Midi Music Company (MMC) celebrates three decades of music, empowerment and impact, with investment from Sony Music UK's Social Justice Fund. Over the past three decades, MMC has made a profound impact by providing access to music education, supporting emerging...more

20 Feb 2025 | Press release

World Hearing Day 2025: 'Listen for Life' Launch at Ronnie Scott's Marks Major Milestone for Hearing Conservation, says NTIA

The Listen for Life campaign is set to make a global impact as it officially launches on World Hearing Day, 3rd March, during a star-studded event at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club. The initiative marks a significant leap forward in hearing...more

20 Feb 2025 | Press release

Warner Records partners with Tim Hinshaw and his Free Lunch Agency

WARNER RECORDS PARTNERS WITH HIP-HOP & R&B EXEC TIM HINSHAW AND HIS MULTIFACETED FREE LUNCH AGENCY, LAUNCHING FREE LUNCH RECORDS WITH FIRST SIGNINGS SYD & ALEX ISLEY   A&R Executive Ericka Coulter Named General Manager of Free Lunch Records Warner Records today announced...more

20 Feb 2025 | Press release

Reservoir acquires UK dance and electronic label New State

  Reservoir Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSVR), an award-winning independent music company, today announced the acquisition of U.K. dance and electronic label New State. The deal includes New State’s entire recorded music catalog of over 13,000 tracks by artists, such as Zero...more

20 Feb 2025 | Press release

Bristol Beacon partners with AIM on Above The Noise - a new music industry event for Bristol

The award-winning music venue and music education hub will collaborate with The Association of Independent Music (AIM), the not-for-profit organisation representing and championing the UK’s independent music sector, to present a one-day event for artists and music industry professionals on...more

20 Feb 2025 | Press release

TuneCore Unveils Groundbreaking Advanced Trends & Analytics Dashboard Made Specifically for Self-Releasing Artists

TuneCore, the leading development partner for self-releasing artists—owned by Paris-based Believe, one of the world’s leading digital music companies—has launched its innovative Advanced Trends & Analytics Dashboard, designed to equip artists with deeper insights and performance metrics to accelerate their growth....more

20 Feb 2025 | Press release

Benson Boone's Beautiful Things Confirmed by IFPI as Biggest-Selling Global Single of the Year

IFPI, the organisation that represents the recorded music industry worldwide, has announced that Beautiful Things by Benson Boone is the winner of the IFPI Global Single Award for 2024.  The IFPI Global Single Award is presented to the artist with the world's best-selling...more

20 Feb 2025 | Press release

New London multivenue festival Footsteps

ANNOUNCES SECOND WAVE OF ACTS INCLUDING SWIM DEEP, TTSSFU, LOWERTOWN, AND CAOILFHIONN ROSE  19-23 MAY 2025 ACROSS LONDON’S INDEPENDENT MUSIC VENUES TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE     Today, Footsteps, a new, five-day festival of music, art, and community, is announcing even more names for its first-ever edition this May. Over the week, music...more

19 Feb 2025 | Press release

pointblank Music School Launches New BSc (Hons) Degree - Bridging Music Production & Software Engineering

As a clear investment into UK Tech talent, pointblank Music School has launched its BSc (Hons) Music Production & Software Engineering degree (aka MuSE), designed for students passionate about both music and technology. This programme combines cutting-edge music production training...more

19 Feb 2025 | Press release

Abbey Road Equalise festival returns for its sixth year

THIS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY ABBEY ROAD EQUALISE INVITES THE NEXT GENERATION OF FEMALE AND NON-BINARY ARTISTS AND CREATIVES TO A SERIES OF FREE RECORDING WORKSHOPS BETWEEN 3RD - 8TH MARCH   Abbey Road has today announced details of the sixth edition of...more

19 Feb 2025 | Press release

Taylor Swift makes music history as IFPI's Biggest-Selling Global Recording Artist of the Year for the fifth time

Taylor also tops Global Album Chart, Global Vinyl Album Chart, Global Streaming Album Chart and Global Album Sales Chart with her 2024 release THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT   Taylor Swift has been confirmed by IFPI, the organisation that represents the recorded music industry...more

19 Feb 2025 | Press release

MashApp Launches New App in US Allowing Fans To 'Mash Up' Songs from the World's Leading Music Companies

In an industry first,music lovers can effortlessly create personalized audio experiences in real time by combining their favorite hits.   MashApp, the innovative music app that allows users to curate and play back real time personalized 'mashups' of their favorite songs in...more

19 Feb 2025 | Press release

BPI Council Independent Member Election Results

  The BPI, the representative voice for the UK’s world-leading record companies and label businesses, announces that Michael Neidus (Demon Music Group) and Pru Harris (Marathon Music Group) have been elected to BPI Council, with Pat Carr (Remote Control) re-elected, to serve as representatives of the BPI’s independent...more

19 Feb 2025 | Press release

Armada Music Inks Exclusive Deal with D.O.D

Armada has inked an exclusive deal with Manchester-born British DJ and producer D.O.D. This builds on D.O.D's existing partnership with the label, which resulted in his first U.K. Official Top 20 (#15) hit "So Much In Love" and the Beatport Top...more

19 Feb 2025 | Press release

Raw Power Management promote Dan Brown to Head of A&R

  Signalling a major investment into future artist development, Raw Power Management is delighted to announce that Dan Brown has been promoted to a newly-created position as Head of A&R.  Dan is already a key member of Raw Power's Senior Management Team...more

19 Feb 2025 | Press release

BBC Radiophonic Workshop archive to be made available for first time

PASSING ON THE LEGACY OF THE PIONEERS OF ELECTRONIC MUSIC TO A NEW GENERATION  HOW THE SOUNDS OF HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE, DOCTOR WHO AND BLAKE’S 7 WERE MADE   ‘The BBC department for making bonkers noises’   The archive of the groundbreaking BBC Radiophonic Workshop...more

19 Feb 2025 | Press release

Warner Chappell Music promotes Gabz Landman to Senior Vice President, A&R

A&R Executive has Built a Star-Studded Roster, Including GRAMMY Award Winners Laufey, The Chainsmokers, and Amy Allen   Warner Chappell Music (WCM) has promoted leading music executive Gabz Landman to Senior Vice President, A&R. Based in Los Angeles and reporting to Ryan Press, President...more

19 Feb 2025 | Press release

Reach Music and Fitz and The Tantrums' Lead Singer and Songwriter FITZ Conclude a Publishing Acquisition and Administration Deal

Reach Music Publishing Inc. (Reach Music) has entered into a publishing agreement with Fitz, songwriter and lead vocalist of the multi-platinum band Fitz and The Tantrums.   Through the deal, Reach Music has acquired copyright interest in Fitz's entire back-catalog of approximately 100 songs released...more

19 Feb 2025 | Press release

Wireless have completely sold out within minutes

All tickets for Rockstar Energy Presents Wireless have completely sold out within minutes – the fastest in the festival’s history, which returns to London’s Finsbury Park from 11–13 July 2025.   Headlines were made with the monumental announcement that Drake...more

18 Feb 2025 | Press release

Why Young People Are Going Out Less: NTIA Study Reveals Economic Struggles, Safety Concerns and Transport Barriers Stifling Nightlife

A new study conducted by Obsurvant on behalf of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has revealed that young people in the UK are going out less than they did a year ago, and their reasons why. The research, based...more

THE HEADLINES

21 Feb 2025

  • Industry figures warn over impact of ignoring copyright rules when training AI (see News)

20 Feb 2025

  • The accusations against Spotify’s Discovery Mode (see Digital)

  • UK music exports are at a record high, but breakthrough artists are scarce (see Analysis)

19 Feb 2025

  • Craft versus character: the equation the music industry needs to fix (see Comment)

18 Feb 2025

  • The audio listener is too valuable for the music industry to ignore (see Comment)

17 Feb 2025

  • Spotify set to launch a super-premium subscription (see Digital)

14 Feb 2025

  • TikTok and Luminate release the latest Music Impact Report (see Reports)

13 Feb 2025

  • Do people actually hate Coldplay? A statistical analysis (see Analysis)

12 Feb 2025

  • Lyor Cohen addresses Kanye West in an open letter (see News)

11 Feb 2025

  • Let’s stop talking about emerging technologies (see Comment)

10 Feb 2025

  • Chappell Roan hits back at criticism over Grammys speech; Ivors Academy supports calls for the industry to protect the future of artists (see News)

  • Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl show was one big tease (see News, Reviews)