BIG project 2023
The 9-month-long Baltic Indie Group project has been successfully completed. Financed by Swedish Institute and executed by Westside Music Sweden in cooperation with Music Export Ukraine, BIG united a network of 10 independent music businesses from 8 countries around Baltic Sea aiming to build long-lasting relationships to simplify cross-border promotion and distribution of music, and touring of independent artists in the region. Alongside the organizers, the partnering companies within the project were Welfare Sounds from Sweden, Hafenklang from Germany, Klub Stodola from Poland, Mp3 Agency from Lithuania, Instikurmu Festival from Estonia, Summer Sound Festival and I Love You Records from Latvia, and Mutant Radio from Georgia.The project included monthly online sessions led by one of the partners giving a crash course to their company’s activity and specifics of the national music market, and three offline networking trips: to Sweden, to Poland and to Latvia.
Our project manager Marianna Tanska participated in the first networking trip to Gothenburg. The delegates met for the first time, discussed the common problems, ways of cooperation and how each partner will contribute to the development of the network. In addition, Welfare Sounds hosted a delegates tour at their recording studio with craft cider treats. Also a part of the trip was the Viva Sounds festival, where networking expanded to delegates from the whole world, showcases in multiple venues and a conference with insightful panels. Marianna took part in a “Around the world” panel where alongside Cesar Andion (LIVE NATION ES) and Evelyn Sieber (Reeperbahnfestival) presented their perspectives on export and its current realities, increased importance and impact of international networking.
In February, Marianna did a presentation on Music Export Ukraine’s activity and overview of the Ukrainian music market focusing on live industry, its current state including the war risks, benefits for organizing international acts and specifics of music promotion in Ukraine.
In March two of our project managers Marianna Tanska and Diana Dadonova partook in a second networking trip to Warsaw. The trip was hospitably hosted by Klub Stodola. The participants had an amazing tour following Frederic Chopin's life in Warsaw, visited the headquarters of Antyradio-the biggest Polish rock radio station, watched showcases by LiveEurope, and a concert of Uffie. Also, a part of the trip was Presentation on the Polish music market by Marcin Bąkiewicz, followed by speed meetings with Polish professionals and craft beer tasting. Partners also discussed practical ideas of future cooperations and estimated the potential of the project continuing.
In May Diana embarked on the last networking trip to the enchanting city of Riga. Along with the delegates, she immersed herself in the vibrant local music scene, exploring renowned music venues like Depo Club, Noass, Palladium concert venue, and Hanzas Perons. Additionally, the delegation had a tour to record pressing at Semikols Vinyl Plant.
The Baltic Indie Group project substantially deepened the knowledge about possibilities for work across markets, and built a strong new network which later on will be expanded to other businesses which were not involved in the project. All that will result in intensification of the cross-border collaborations and collective growth of the markets in each country in a long term perspective.
