UPBEAT, a groundbreaking European platform for showcase festivals headed by Budapest-based Hangvető, closes a chapter and is ready for the next. Its core mission was to uplift new talent, balance a homogenizing industry and vouch for cultural diversity – but did it succeed? We take account of the project’s first 3 years and see what’s coming in the four next.
The outcome
“It was a huge boost for us to get stronger and expand our activities and to feel more flexible.” – Vilius Arlauskas, Saulės Muzika
What has UPBEAT ever done for us? The kind of behind-the-scenes effort carried out by the platform assisted artists, professionals and festivals directly.
“It (UPBEAT) taught us how to have a wider perspective of the educational part of the music industry and how to help young artists and young music professionals.” – Ivana Stefanofska, PIN Showcase & Conference
Just as importantly, it has forged a thriving network among European showcase festivals and artists; educated upcoming talent on efficient representation in the sector, strengthened venues, organizers and artists in their communities as well as individually. World music artists entered new stages, e.g. at MENT in Ljubljana and at Waves Vienna, the new showcase stage at AtoJazZ, the reinforcement of Saulès Muzika as well as several programmes of Budapest Ritmo are down to UPBEAT’s support.
So what’s next?
“We met, befriended and started cooperating with many European festivals, which is a great start for future joint projects. We also gained valuable insight into the lives of upcoming artists, and the challenges they face, which is instrumental for us music industry professionals.” – Veronika Vajda, UPBEAT project lead
UPBEAT’s management have done their homework, or rather, commissioned Patryk Galuszka, associate professor at the University of Lodz, to tally up the project’s achievements and where it should evolve. In the open-access paper Galuszka reports how UPBEAT did in fact contribute to a stronger professional network in Europe, how it broke down limiting preconceptions, and furthered the careers of artists. Equipped with the study’s insight, the initiative vouches to provide meaningful support:
“In the next chapter of UPBEAT, we will bring across a stronger focus on artists’ needs in our platform.” – Veronika Vajda
Which means further mentoring, useful networks and tailor-made career plans for artists. UPBEAT also ventures further afield geographically, with overseas cooperations in sight. The platform’s management also plans partnerships with export offices in their joint mission to safegard musical roots and cultural diversity.
