Drenge, Temperance Movement among 14 bands to get government funding push

Funding for Drenge to export their music abroad

GRUNGE duo Drenge and blue-rockers The Temperance Movement are among 14 emerging acts to receive funding from the UK government to market themselves around the world.

The successful applicants for the first round of the Music Export Growth Scheme were revealed by Trade Minister Lord Livingston after last night's BRIT Awards.

Export sales of British music have accelerated to more than 13 per cent of the global market and the scheme - formed between UK Trade & Investment and the BPI - aims to help small and medium-sized, independent music companies to promote their artists overseas.

The scheme - funded by UKTI - will make up to £2.5million in grants available over two-and-a-half years.

The acts included are Afrikan Boy, Beth Jeans Houghton, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Drenge, Filthy Boy, Fred V & Grafix, George Benjamin, Holy Mountain, Melt Yourself Down, Public Service Broadcasting, The Crookes, The Temperance Movement, Throwing Snow and Zara McFarlane.

They were chosen from a pool of 118 applications in the first round of the programme by a panel of experts chaired by John Kennedy OBE.

He said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for emerging artists and growing independently-owned music businesses.

"The number and variety of the applications was very impressive and it is now important that the successful applicants maximise the return from the funding they receive in order to justify the belief shown in their project and the commitment made."

The next round of funding is now open for submissions until March 17th 2014. It is open to all UK music companies meeting the application criteria and more details can be found at www.bpi.co.uk/export-scheme.aspx