Networking at music industry export events

This chapter discusses networks in the music export environment of an international music industry event. International market events are a hotbed for networking and gatekeeping. The international events enable networks and participating gatekeepers to maintain their identity. Governments and industry have understood this volatility with the provision of incentives, grants, representation and special events to enable artists and managers better access to a music industry network and its gatekeepers. A powerful example of bypassing gatekeepers can be seen in the rise of the unknown artist who reaches fame independently from traditional gatekeeping pathways. The Great Escape is a festival, showcase event and conference that occupies the city of Brighton with multiple simultaneous events. For Australian artists, managers and industry workers, access to these international industry events has been aided by Sounds Australia, Australia’s national export platform, established in 2009. At the institutional level, the many industry and showcasing events exemplify their exogeneous nature, where external participants convene at particular event.