Fuse Fest

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The project’s remit in brief was to ‘Develop contemporary music across the city’ and Baby people has used the project itself as a way of informing and directing this work.

The project was run in conjunction with The Kingsmead school and Connexions.

The project was designed to take place between January 2008 and January 2011

The key activities of the program were as follows,

Artist Development

Many artists on the scheme were supported to reach national exposure, including supporting International touring artists including Jay Z and Wiley, National TV exposure and BBC Radio 1 & 2 support.

Studio support

Funding given to music studios for them to work with clients that they see potential in. This gives extended studio support to existing clients and allows studios to work in a developmental role. There is expectancy that artists supported will be involved in other areas of the project.

Radio and Website

The project set up an internet based radio station broadcasting a range of music from the project alongside music from the genres reflected in the project. 10% of music played on the shows had to be from local artists. DJ’s would provide services free, gaining experience and skills in the role. The Radio was housed in the projects website (www.fusederby.com) which gave links to artists, studios and venues in the city as well as promoting Fuse fest.

Festivals and Gigs

The project ran monthly nights (black music monthly, indie rock bi monthly) for almost the whole duration of the project. These nights served as performance opportunities for local emerging artists and training opportunities for upcoming promoters. Fuse also focused on Festivals, programming and running stages at Cycle fest and Eco fest. It also initiated Fuse fest, an annual satellite music festival ran over 12 venues and using 140 artists performing to a collected audience of 3000. Done on a small budget the free entry festival secured funding from ACE, DCC and Trade Unions with its anti-racism, pro-multicultural message. The festival which took place in 2009 and 2010 featured national artists including Asian Dub Foundation, Wretch 32, Bashy and Sincere.

Market Research

In market research, 75% of respondents said the music scene in Derby had, or possibly had improved over the last few years.

“Fuse has created opportunities and a buzz in the scene in Derby that wasn’t around a few years ago, its gone a long way in connecting the dots” – Artist Derby

84% of people from the music scene in Derby said live nights and performances had increased or possibly had increased over the last few years. 64% said they would support regular showcase events. A further 31% said they would possibly support them.

“There are a lot more gig nights and performances now than a few years ago, and in other scenes as well” – Promoter, Derby

When asked, the majority of people said that Derby needs the support service for up and coming musicians. 48% of people had already been involved with Fuse.