Top North East music acts awarded funding to raise global profile

Rising North East music stars Andrew Cushin and Finn Forster have been awarded funding to unveil the best of this country’s talent to the world with £1.4 million to attract new fans, drive revenue, and boost the music industry.

Streaming has made music more globally accessible than ever before, bringing increased opportunity and competition in equal measure for UK artists. Despite drawing more money through music exports, our share of the global recorded music market has been steadily declining, falling from 17% of global music consumption in 2017 to now under 10%. 

The Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) is a lifeline for independent UK acts and companies, providing critical support with grants of £5,000 - £50,000 to break artists into the international music scene who, after achieving domestic success, have sights set on a global following. 

Its track record speaks volumes for the impact it continues to have on the UK music industry. MEGS has supported the international careers of over 522 British artists, delivered an estimated £81.5 million financial return for the UK economy, and helped increase employment in SME record labels by over 10%. 

Business Secretary Peter Kyle said: 

“Streaming has revolutionised access to music for fans worldwide, but it has also created unique challenges for smaller artists and independent labels. 

“This scheme moves the dial for indie music by funding global tours and promotion, removing the financial hurdles which would otherwise prevent our best home-grown talent from blossoming into international success stories.” 

“Securing MEGS funding is a launchpad that will help North East artists and labels reach the ears of new fans and follow in the footsteps of past recipients like Ezra Collective and Dave who turned this opportunity into standout global success.” 

The UK is the third biggest music market in the world – the biggest in Europe – and the second biggest exporter of recorded music after the U.S. A diversity of acts from across the UK is fundamental to the industry’s continued success.  

That’s why the government is committed to ensuring MEGS reaches artists and companies wherever they are based.  Around two thirds of the MEGS recipients were originally from outside London, helping develop record labels and accelerate success across the country. 

For every pound from government, MEGS generates an economic return of £14 and a tangible cultural payoff, with successful acts going on to achieve 18 BRIT Award nominations and 6 wins, 19 shortlists for the Mercury Prize and 4 Album of the Year wins, and hundreds of millions in global streams. 

Sophie Jones, BPI Chief Strategy Officer, said:  

“In an increasingly competitive global landscape, the Music Export Growth Scheme is a vital springboard for UK artists looking to reach international audiences and build their profiles, and a critical resource for the UK’s SME music businesses and independent sector. It’s also a proven financial success, generating a significant return on investment, and a great example of what can be achieved when industry and Government come together in support of Britain’s world-class music ecosystem.  

“MEGS alumni have gone on to become BRIT Award and Mercury Prize-winners, chart-toppers and household names. We’re excited to see what the future holds for the 68 fantastic artists supported by this latest round, and grateful to the UK Government for their continued support of the Scheme.” 

Andrew Cushin said: 

“I would like to say a massive thank you to the MEGS selection panel for giving us the grant to once again be able to go over and tour in North America. Without this grant, I would find it incredibly difficult to go out to North America and tour, so this has given us a huge opportunity to once again go over and play for a new audience. The support that we’ve received from the MEGS board for an artist like myself is absolutely huge, and we can’t wait to get back out and perform for everybody very very soon.”  

Finn Forster said: 

“I want to say a massive thank you to the MEGS board for supporting me. This support is going to help me take everything I’m doing to the next level, and it’s going to allow me to reach whole new audiences and build on my fan base in so many new territories internationally. So thank you, and I’m so excited to get started.” 

Notes to Editors 

The 68 recipient artists from the 24th round of MEGS funding: 

Amber Run, Anaiis, And Also The Trees, Andrew Cushin, Antony Szmierek, As It Is, Asta Hiroki, Aurora Orchestra, bar italia, Bear’s Den, Beth McCarthy, BIG SPECIAL, Black Country, New Road, Black Josh & Lee Scott, Cage Fight, Canned Pineapple, Cassyette, Chalk, Chartreuse, Chloe Slater, Common Saints, Daniel Avery, Dark Tropics, Daytime TV, Dry Cleaning, Eleni Drake, Elles Bailey, Erotic Secrets of Pompeii, Essosa, EYNKA, Finn Forster, Gaynor O’Flynn, Girl In The Year Above, Halina Rice, Hana Lili, Harriet, Jalen Ngonda, King Jammy, LASTELLE, Leifur James, Maiah Wynne, Matilda Mann, MEGA, Mica Millar, Modern Woman, Naomi Scott, Nightbus, Nina Nesbitt, NOVELIST, Panic Shack, Public Service Broadcasting, PVA, Qendresa, Samm Henshaw, Seb Lowe, SOTA, Stornoway, Summer Pearl and Zola Marcelle, The Cinelli Brothers, The Molotovs, The New Eves, The Snuts, The Wellermen, Tropic Gold, Ulrika Spacek, Wes Nelson, Will Samson, Witch Fever