Chloe Slater and Daniel Avery are among the latest UK acts to receive support from the £1.4 million Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS), which aims to showcase the best of British talent worldwide and build new international audiences.
The funding comes at a time when the UK music industry is facing both opportunities and challenges as streaming has made music more globally accessible than ever before. While more money is being drawn through music exports, the UK’s share of the global market has dropped from 17 per cent in 2017 to under 10 per cent now.
Chloe Slater. (Image: Department for Business and Trade)
MEGS is designed to help independent UK artists and companies break into international markets, offering grants from £5,000 to £50,000 to those who have already found domestic success.
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 Bournemouth 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.”
Chloe Slater said: “I just want to say thank you so much to the MEGS Board for offering me funding to develop my music overseas this year.
“Without this funding, it would have been pretty impossible to plan any sort of tour overseas.
“So this means so much, and hopefully other countries, you’ll be seeing me soon because of this.
“Thank you so much to the MEGS Selection Panel.”
Daniel Avery said: “I’m very happy to announce I’ve been awarded funding by the Music Export Growth Scheme.
“It will greatly help in bringing the new live show to you, in new parts of the world.
“I can’t wait to see you all soon.”
The scheme, which has already supported over 522 British artists, has delivered an estimated £81.5 million return for the UK economy and increased employment in SME record labels by over 10%.
For every pound invested by government, MEGS is estimated to generate a £14 return and has helped acts achieve award nominations and top chart success.