Spotify today announce an exciting programme of talks and workshops taking place at BBC Music Introducing Live 2019. From discussing podcasting to tackling important issues such as mental wellbeing in the music industry, the programme of carefully curated events will offer advice from some of the UK’s most experienced musical and podcasting talent.
Crafting a career in the limelight can be difficult at the best of times and for many, realizing their dreams can be to the detriment of their mental wellbeing at times. Spotify x Headspace presents: Keeping It Together will see Rizzle Kicks’ Jordan Stephens and Nina Nesbitt joined by Headspace’s VP of Global Business Development, Dan Kessler, tackle this topic. The panel discussion will focus on both mental and physical health in relation to the music industry. They’ll offer valuable insight into what resources are available to musicians so that if things do go wrong, they know who to ask for, and where to go to get help. Discussions will also focus on the music industry itself to examine what it could be doing to prepare and support its musicians.
Speaking about the partnership, Kessler said: “Mental and emotional wellbeing can be an often overlooked part of being an artist and working through the creative process. It’s heartening to see more openness and conversations that de-stigmatize struggles we all face and shine a light on the importance of taking care of ourselves and of incorporating mindfulness as part of our everyday routine. Headspace is grateful to partner with Spotify to help spark more of those conversations in whatever way we can.”
In a special live edition of Spotify’s Best Advice video series, one of the UK music scene’s best loved artists, Craig David, will discuss his career and offer words of wisdom to those just beginning their careers. David’s meteoric rise to fame during the early noughties and triumphant comeback, means he is well placed to discuss the modern music industry. With Kim Taylor Bennett acting as moderator, David will reveal how he has managed to keep his career firmly on track with his integrity and creativity intact.
Still in its relative infancy, the podcast industry is growing at an incredible rate. At BBC Music Introducing Live this year, Spotify has called on some of podcasting’s best known names to discuss audio’s newest, emerging medium. In a special live show, flagship Spotify Original podcast Who We Be TALKS_ will see legendary Grime and UK Hip-hop DJ, DJ Semtex chat with fellow Spotify Original podcaster and host of 3ShotsOfTequila, Keith Dube. Expect unfiltered chat on music, culture and anything else that piques their interest.
Spotify have also gathered some of podcastings biggest music industry crossovers for a special panel discussion – Why I Podcast. Featuring podcast pioneer and UK Hip-hop artist Scroobius Pip, multi BRIT Award nominee and host of ‘Table Manners’ Jessie Ware and electronic icon and confidante to the world’s biggest DJ’s, Tiga, it’s an unmissable line-up. Together they’ll be discussing their podcasting journeys to share the knowledge they’ve learned along the way and examining the wider industry’s progress. They’ll offer their thoughts on its potential and future opportunities for both artists and creators alike.
Finally, to help emerging and established artists alike, Spotify is hosting a Spotify Artist Masterclass and the Spotify x Soundtrap Pop-Up Studio. The Masterclass will demonstrate how musicians can get the most from the service, increase listeners and followers and further understand how playlists work. Spotify have also confirmed an exciting, UK first opportunity for those budding musicians attending BBC Music Introducing Live. With the arrival of the Spotify x Soundtrap Pop-Up Studio, visitors will be able to record music together using Soundtrap’s online studio, which allows global collaboration between artists anywhere.
Speaking about the event, Spotify’s Lead, Artist & Industry Partnerships (UK & IE), Bryan Johnson said: “We’re very excited to return to BBC Music Introducing Live. We’ve put together a fantastic and topical line-up to inspire and educate emerging talent and showcase how we can support them on their journey. At Spotify, we’re passionate about unlocking the potential of human creativity by giving a million creative artists the opportunity to live off their art and billions of fans the opportunity to enjoy and be inspired by it. That means providing people with every opportunity to have their art heard. Alongside tips from familiar faces who’ve done just that, we’ll be explaining how to get more out of Spotify with some of the tools in our family including Spotify for Artists, which is already being used by more than 300,000 artists and their teams every month. We’ll also be bringing our previously announced Spotify x Soundtrap Pop-Up Studio to the UK for the very first time. We can’t wait to see & hear the results.”
