News
Stay informed with the latest from the SMIA, including our own news, developments, and exclusive features, alongside key music industry updates from Scotland and beyond.
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Recording Industry Wins Double Landmark UK Court Victory In New Piracy Cases
Record labels association the BPI has today won two significant new piracy cases, brought by major and independent record companies, confirming for the first time that cyberlockers and stream rippers – and those who use them – break the law.
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Hardship Fund for Creative Freelancers to re-open on 2 March
The Scottish Government’s £9million Hardship Fund for Creative Freelancers, delivered by Creative Scotland and Screen Scotland, will re-open for applications at 2pm, Tuesday 2 March 2021.
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Scottish Showcasing Artists announced for SXSW 2021
SXSW (aka South by Southwest), the annual music, film, and interactive conference/festival in Austin, Texas, have announced the second round of artists to perform for the festival, which will be held via livestream this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Shielding Importance for Musicians, Songwriters and Composers Highlighted by Research
The Musicians’ Union (MU) and The Ivors Academy have released joint research revealing how the majority of shielding musicians, songwriters and composers who we surveyed do not feel they can return to work until they are vaccinated.
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Scottish Government announces business rates relief to be extended for full year
Scottish retail, hospitality, leisure and aviation businesses will not pay non-domestic rates throughout the next financial year, under plans announced by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes.
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Firm commitment to save touring in Europe made by UK Government
The Minister for Digital and Culture Caroline Dinenage has committed to working with music organisations to find workable solutions to these critical issues including mobility post-Brexit.
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Scottish Government demands removal of Brexit barriers facing Scottish artists and performers
The Scottish Government is demanding action from Westminster to break a visa deadlock which is said to be putting performers and artists at risk of being cut off from the rest of Europe.
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EU touring update: musicians with portable musical instruments exempt from ATA carnet
DCMS Minister Caroline Dinenage MP has confirmed that musicians travelling into and around the EU with portable musical instruments are not required to obtain a Carnet.
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#WeMakeEvents launch new campaign for government relief for the live events sector
#WeMakeEvents has announced a new campaign in a bid to urge the UK Government to provide relief for the struggling live events sector during the coronavirus pandemic.
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New Report on Impact of Covid-19 on Parents and Carers in the Performing Arts
Campaigning organisation Parents & Carers in Performing Arts (PiPA) have published a new report on the impact of Covid-19.
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The Isle of Gigha launch commission for new Gaelic song
The Isle of Gigha, off the west coast of Kintyre, wants to commission a new song that can also be learned by non-Gaelic speakers who currently live there.
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Scottish Government announces further support for freelancers and the events sector
The Scottish Government has today (Thursday 11 February 2021) announced a further £17.5 million of emergency coronavirus (COVID-19) funding to support creative freelancers and the events sector. Of the £17.5 million announced, £8.5 million will go towards the events sector – distributed through the Pivotal Event Businesses Fund and the Events Industry Support Fund 2,…
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Post-Brexit entry requirements for musicians and crew entering the EU
Post-Brexit, touring in Europe sees the need for an increasing portfolio of documents to ensure trouble-free passage, to, from and through the 27 member states of the EU. LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment) have set out the current position for post-Brexit entry requirements for touring musicians and their crew entering European member states. It is…
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Youth Arts Small Grants Scheme information session with Aberdeen Youth Music Forum
Aberdeen Youth Music Forum (AYMF) are to host an online information session Monday 15 February, 5pm-6pm with the Creative Learning Team from Aberdeen City Council around the Youth Arts Small Grants Scheme.
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Live streaming webinar for musicians with disabilities from Drake Music
Drake Music, the leading national organisation working in music, disability and technology, are running a free session aimed at solo artists focused on getting the right set-up for live streaming.
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Music Week Tech Summit returns for 2021
Music Week Tech Summit is an exploration of how the music and technology sectors can work together to help artists, managers, labels and publishers reach new audiences. Taking place on March 31, the event is going online for 2021.