Our ref: 101000091629 FOI response Date: 27 June 2013 Suzanne Freeman request-162586-71ca7351@whatdotheyknow.com Customer Relations Team Business Support Directorate Gun Wharf Dock Road Chatham Kent ME4 4TR Telephone: 01634 334420 Email:customer.relations@medway.gov.uk www.medway.gov.uk Dear Ms Freeman Request for Information Reference Number: RFI/101000091629 Thank you for your request for information, received on 28 May 2013. Please accept our apologies for the delay in getting this information to you. Thank you for your enquiry regarding the Medway Music Festival (now renamed The Medway Festival Of Music). The creation of the Medway Festival of Music was to establish the opportunities to begin music development in Medway, which will hopefully lead to a thriving music festival and music scene. In order for us to capitalise on an industry worth nearly 4billion, which employs over 130,000 people, we need to create the environment within which music development can be sustainable in Medway, rather than just the hosting of concerts. In a similar way to the River Festival, the Medway Festival of Music 2013 will begin as an introductory event, with the intention of engaging with the music community to eventually develop an international festival of repute within Medway. The Festival will encourage and involve the activities and events that currently exist to be held under one umbrella event, which will then act as a catalyst to future festivals.
Soon after approval for the funds, Trevor Mason from Kent Bands was engaged to conduct an audit of the current provision of music, across all genres, within Medway and to consult with the various providers, educators and promoters (including advertising and the media) in order to provide a clear direction to the shape of the festival, as well as to engage in dialogue with the various stakeholders. The 2013 festival has been programmed with the specific intention of testing out the suitability of some venues for future festivals; provide opportunities to engage with the music professionals within the industry through workshops as well as local organisations, Schools and Music trainers. The 2013 festival will provide information and engage active participation and discussion on the development of a sustainable platform for future festivals. The budget of 50,000 has been committed or expended on the support of the following events and activities, through the provision of infrastructure support, fees and funding support. (As some of the information relates to fees paid and artistes fees, they are commercially sensitive). 17 to 21 June Medway Music Association hosted workshops on each day for key stage 2 pupils at the Brook Theatre as part of the Music Education Hub. 5 workshops. Support for staffing and venue hire. Love Music Hate Racism Support in terms of the provision of shuttle bus service, between Chatham waterfront and Gillingham Park Medway International Event MELA Support in infrastructure of Temporary bandstand, provision of Pa Systems, Power supply and stewards and Marshalls Shuttle bus service, between Chatham waterfront and Gillingham Park James Taylor in concert
Support in promotion of event. Including venue hire, artiste fees, Pa system, Lights and technical equipment Medway Music 2013 Concert featuring Kaleidoscope, Rainham Ladies Choir, Medway Singers and more. Two concerts afternoon and evening. Vvenue hire, provision of staffing support. Bandstand Concerts Support - Temporary bandstand, provision of Pa Systems, Power supply and stewards and Marshalls plus artiste fees at 3 separate events. Rock School Training Them Live Weekend Rock Schools for young musicians aged 11-19. A series of workshops where you can learn from top professional musicians on guitar, bass, voice, keyboard and drums Support funding provision for all 4 sessions Rochester Choral Society Rochester Choral Society performing the Verdi Requiem (with guest singers) at the St George s Centre Support is in the form of venue hire and staffing. The Fool Fighters along with This is Nirvana A one-off night of rock and Grohl - all your favourite Foo Fighters and Nirvana tunes, played by some of the UK s best tribute bands, The Fool Fighters and This Is Nirvana. At the Casino Rooms in Rochester. Support Artiste fees plus infrastructure support Acoustic Showcase - TTL Unplugged Support Venue hire, funding support, staffing West Side Story film Support promotional material Music DIY music un-conference MusicDIY will be Medway first un-conference on the new music business. Aimed at young people, MusicDIY will bring together leading experts and
practitioners from across the industry to collaborate with delegates through panels, workshops and 'in conversation' slots to help artists at all stages of their careers navigate the complex modern music business. Sun Pier House, Chatham Support consultacy fees, securement of venues empty shops, engagement of industry professionals, funding for workshops etc and payment of commissioning work to facilitate and collate information regarding the development of Music in Medway. Proclaimers concert Support Artiste fees, staffing and Venue hire. Music Event One Returning for a second year, Music Event One is Medway's first independent music festival combining renowned acts with breakthrough talent along Rochester High Street. This year's headliners are the legendary punk band, The Buzzcocks, Support Partnership support for the whole event, including consultancy fees, infrastructure and venue support. Festival Finale Event Event which will be open to all participants of the festival and stakeholders to contribute assess and be part of the evaluation, review and planning for future festivals Support infrastructure, PA, Lights, Guest speakers consultancy and publications for the event. Commissioning for specific music related projects which will be announced at the finale event. A breakdown of the 50K is: Infrastructure costs 11,300 Artistes, consultancy & funding 27,715 Promotion, Marketing and contingencies 10,000.
Companies supported or engaged to provide services to the festival Kent Band Trevor Mason : Music festival Audit / Research Training Them Live : Rock Schools / Live gigs Unlimited Media Sam Taylor : MusicDIY project Music Event One Matt Peacock : Music Development consultation GraffORM Daniel Doherty : The Social Media online research I hope this clearly sets out for you what we are seeking to achieve with the Festival of Music and how the funding is being committed. If you are unhappy with the information we have provided or wish to complain about any other issue regarding the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000 please refer to our website at http://www.medway.gov.uk/councilanddemocracy/performanceandpolicy/freed omofinformationact/complaints.aspx Yours sincerely Lynne Bush Customer Relations Team