Tom Ravenscroft, Broadcaster and DJ, BBC 6 Music
“The Indie50 is a great opportunity to promote some of the people who make the scene what it is”
A broadcaster with a strong indie spirit, Tom Ravenscroft has been bringing quality new music to listeners via a range of projects for the last decade. Along with his regular Friday night 9pm slot and Recommends show on BBC Radio 6 Music, Tom regularly features on 6 Music depping for Steve Lamacq, Mark Riley and Gideon Coe, as well as hosting major radio spots including from Latitude, the 6 Music Festival and the 2015 Mercury Music Prize. With his involvement in TV he has fronted an array of music focused shows including iTunes Festival 2013; coverage of the Isle of Wight Festival 2012; Abbey Road Debuts; and John Peel’s Record Box – in which he travelled around Britain and the U.S. interviewing seminal musicians such as Elton John, Jack White and Damon Albarn. Through radio, television, and even a weekly column in The Times, few have given as great a platform to the discussion of new bands and emerging trends in the British music scene.
Laura Snapes, Culture Writer, Freelance
“I’m originally from Cornwall. I’ve seen the effort it takes to stoke a rural music community first-hand – and in work that’s taken me around the country since – and I’m in awe of these catalysts and creators.”
A freelance culture writer and contributing editor for online music magazine Pitchfork, Laura was previously features editor of NME, associate editor at Pitchfork, and assistant reviews editor of NME. She’s written everything from new music news to cover stories on the likes of St Vincent, Lana Del Rey, Arcade Fire, Bat For Lashes and Savages. Along with her contributing editorship, today she can be found writing regularly for Uncut, The Guardian, The Observer, The Financial Times and many more.
Stephen Bass, Founder, Moshi Moshi
“We are happy to get involved with the Indie50 – anything that might help artists or those wanting to help artists”
Co-founder of forward thinking UK indie label Moshi Moshi, Stephen Bass has been at the cutting edge of the independent music scene for 18 years now. In that time he’s signed Hot Chip, released singles by Lykke Li, Florence & The Machine, Disclosure, and Kindness, managed Metronomy’s career and generally championed UK music from the ground up. More recently he set up By The Sea Festival at Margate’s Dreamland pleasure park, which was last year headlined by UK heavyweights Foals and Hot Chip.
Kevin Mo
ore, General Manager, The Great Escape
“It’s here in the independent community that you’ll find some of the most innovative and daring work taking place and the Indie50 campaign is the perfect way to draw attention to that fact.”
Kevin is the General Manager for The Great Escape, the festival for new music and new music business, which takes place each year in Brighton, UK. Kevin oversees the day-to-day management of the festival and has been instrumental in developing its profile as both a domestic and international platform for rising talent. Since joining TGE in 2012 Kevin has overseen an expansion of international programming at the event, with the most recent edition featuring artists from 30 different countries, further underlining the UK’s reputation for one of the most fertile indie scenes in the world.
Jason Edwards
, Booking Agent, The CODA Agency
“The Indie50 feels like an exciting opportunity to shine the spotlight on some really interesting, creative and perhaps overlooked individuals who should be acknowledged for their contributions and achievements.”
After experimenting with roles as a manager, club promoter, DJ and press agent, Jason Edwards found his calling as a booking agent back in 2009, starting an agency from his bedroom in Glasgow. After three years with Brighton-based 13 Artists, Edwards joined CODA in 2013. He is the lead agent for Years & Years and has built a large and eclectic roster including Grimes, Alessia Cara, Temples, SOHN and Spring King. Edwards is also programme director for Festival No. 6 and previously co-ordinated the club and music programme and the legendary but now defunct Glasgow club, The Arches.
Dave Newto
n, Founder and CEO, WeGotTickets
“We’ve been helping people put on events for 15 years and wanted to recognise the independent spirit that we see in so many of them. We’re looking forward to seeing who makes the list as well as hearing some of the stories behind them.”
With over 15 years at the helm of WeGotTickets, Dave Newton has worked with some of the country’s leading independent promoters, venues and festivals. He has also managed seminal shoegaze band Ride since shortly after their formation, and released records by Beulah, Young Knives and Unbelievable Truth on his Shifty Disco label.
Find out more about INDIE50 here.