It started as a song contest in 2010 and came to Dublin for a weekend last year with support from Bob Geldof. Youbloom is one of the more puzzling additions to the Dublin music landscape (primarily because I didn’t hear anything about it last year and knew no-one involved in it) but it is back this summer and is offering a “global music village with conferences, talks and gigs.
From 13th to 15th June 2014, youbloom@Dublin as it’s formally called says its “mission is to ensure every aspiring artist has the skills needed to make it in the music industry.”
On Saturday and Sunday June 14th and 15th in the Royal College of Surgeons, the conference will “aim to educate up and coming artists, giving them the vital information and tips required to succeed in the music business learning from industry professionals hoping to impart their knowledge.”
The Keynote speaker is former Creation Records’ boss Alan McGee with Q&A by Neil McCormick and other speakers include A&R man Nigel Grainge (responsible for successful signings such as Thin Lizzy, Boomtown Rats, Sinead O’Connor, Waterboys), Rupert Hine (co-founder of Factory Records) and Alex Von Soos (songwriter with Atomic Kitten / All Saints).
So far those names are those who are known for things they did in the past rather than in the current industry but more will be announced.
As well as that, Nigel Grainge and Lindsey Reade are selecting 100 bands from around the world to perform in the Dame Street District on the nights. Bands can enter here but there’s a €10 application fee. Here’s who played last year. Was anyone at the festival? Care to comment to make about how it went?
Tickets:
Tickets priced €10 (until 31 March), €16 (until 30 April) and €20 (Full ticket price) allow access to both days of the music conference. All the live shows in the Dame District are free to enter. Tickets are on sale now from Entertainment.ie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIgpGLNJNUo
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005 . He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.
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Yeah was at it last year and checked out a few bands playing in The Workman’s Club. Hopefully they’ll be publicising it more this year as I’m sure, once again, there will be worthwhile acts.
Quite a strange setup. Didn’t head to any of the gigs but went to the morning/afternoon panels. Some of the speakers were good people, maybe not at speaker status as are some of the organisers but there was zero marketing done for it. The husband of one of the organisers asked a question at the marketing seminar as why there hadn’t been more done to promote the event? Everyone was scratching their head at that one.
Being that last year was an inaugural year for the youbloom@Dublin festival/conference, in all, it was a great success. Like anything in life, you have to keep the glass full. It’s easy to pick apart anything and anyone. Most of the artists, volunteers, venues and conference participants gave favorable ratings. I know. I saw the survey results. This year will be judged and held to a higher standard; as it should be. youbloom will deliver I am absolutely positive.