The call for music showcase proposals is now open, offering two high-profile opportunities to perform in Manchester as part of the official WOMEX programme and on the Horizons Stage.
Applications will also open for industry professionals to present topical panel ideas, to be included in the conference schedule and music documentaries for the WOMEX film programme.
Why take part in WOMEX 2024?
WOMEX is the most internationally and culturally diverse music meeting in the world and the biggest conference of the global music scene. Womex takes place every year in a different European city, Cardiff hosted it 10 years ago, A Coruña in 2023, in 2024 it returns for its third UK edition at Manchester (set to take place from October 23 to 27) where it will also celebrate its 30th edition overall.
It presents artists from England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales with a unique opportunity to perform on their doorstep at the official Showcase Festival in front of international music industry professionals. performing artists.
Proposals can be submitted in four categories - Showcase, Club Summit, Film and Conference. You can find more details here.
Submit your music showcase proposal from 25 January here.
Deadline for all proposals is Friday 01 March 2024.
What type of music is considered by WOMEX?
The spectrum of music showcases at WOMEX span everything from traditional forms of music to contemporary styles, including hip-hop, jazz, folk, dance, acoustic, electronic, roots and alternative.
What is the showcase selection process?
The Showcase Festival (and Conference) selection is made each year by a group of seven jury members. While official places will be in high demand, there will be further opportunities to take part on the Horizons Stage – a platform for showcasing the best folk, roots, traditional and language based music talent from England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
If you are an artist from Wales who submits a bid to the WOMEX Showcase Festival, you will have an additional chance to secure a valuable performance slot on the Horizons Stage.
Artists from the Horizons nations not selected for showcase by the WOMEX jury, will automatically be eligible for consideration for the Horizons Stage.
Eluned Hâf, Head of Wales Arts International, said:
“As the impact of hosting WOMEX in Cardiff in 2013 continues to resonate, the Horizons partnership is delighted to announce our support for the Regional Stage at WOMEX 24 in Manchester. For the last 10 years, the Horizons partners have joined together at WOMEX to celebrate the diverse music that comes from England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland/Alba and Cymru/Wales, and help homegrown artists gain international recognition on the world stage.
Hosting the Regional Stage in Manchester will ensure there are further opportunities for musicians from these countries to secure a valuable performance slot and perform on their doorstep in front of the largest gathering of international industry professionals.”
Debra King, Director of Manchester Music City, said:
“We’re incredibly grateful for the support of the Horizons partners in hosting the Regional Stage at WOMEX 24. With over 2,600 music industry professionals set to arrive in Manchester in October this year, this important partnership will help us to support new waves of talent and ensure hosting WOMEX in Manchester leaves a legacy that will resonate across the UK and Ireland for many years to come. Inclusion and diversity are at the heart of WOMEX 24, and we strongly encourage artists from all backgrounds and musical disciplines to submit a proposal.”
The Horizons partnership is brought to you by Arts Council England, Arts Council Northern Ireland, Culture Ireland, Creative Scotland, Wales Arts International, Arts Council of Wales, British Council and British Underground. Contact your nation’s representatives for more information or visit www.horizonsatwomex.com.
The deadline for Music Festival Showcase proposals is Friday 01 March 2024.
More on Showcase Festival proposals here: www.womex-apply.com
Calling all music industry professionals...
Manchester has an incredible music history and WOMEX 24 provides the opportunity for industry professionals to be part of its creative spirit. It’s a chance to experience the diversity of music being created across our nations, discover inspiring new music, forge collaborations and connect with thousands of peers from around the globe.
More on attending WOMEX as a delegate: https://www.womex.com/
Calling all potential conference speakers and mentors...
Expert speakers from around the world are invited to present your topics, projects and passions to the WOMEX delegates. Proposals highlighting every aspect of the UK scene are encouraged.
In 2024 WAI lead a discussion as part of the Gwrando programme on making international events a safe space for indigenous music as part of the Pan Indigenous Music Network, a theme that will be developed in 2024.
The 2023 Conference saw more than 96 speakers from 45 countries in 18 conference sessions, 9 networking sessions and six mentoring sessions. Topics included everything from Artificial Intelligence in the Music Industry to Exploring Indigenous Languages.
The deadline for all Conference proposals is Friday 1 March 2024.
More on Conference proposals here: www.womex-apply.com
Calling all music filmmakers…
You are invited to show your work at WOMEX – the top platform for world music in audio-visual media. The film screenings will include outstanding documentaries featuring musicians from all around the globe or those focused on music-related topics.
The deadline for all Film proposals is Friday 01 March 2024.
More on Film proposals here: www.womex-apply.com
WOMEX and Wales, some context…..
Womex takes place every year in a different European city, Womex Manchester will be the third UK edition. Cardiff hosted it 10 years ago, this article by Jo Frost Womex in Wales - 10 years on aims to provide a comprehensive, but by no means exhaustive, overview of Wales’s journey from the initial concept, the preparation and the legacy WOMEX has left behind.
In the article, a dozen key figures within the Welsh music industry reflect on the build-up to Cardiff, share their memories of the event and their views on its impact, and how the Welsh music scene has changed over the last decade.