The BPI has revealed details of the latest (24th) round of the Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) funding.
Developed and administered by the BPI, MEGS boosts music exports by supporting small-to-medium-sized, independent UK companies as they build the commercial profile of their artists in key markets internationally.
The announcement follows the BRIT Awards at the weekend – a showcase for globally successful UK artists largely from the major label side of the industry.
The partnership between industry and the UK government receives joint funding from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) alongside investment from the UK recorded music industry, which on average contributes 64% of total spend.
For this £1.4 million round, funding has been distributed to support 68 UK artists from a range of genres and backgrounds as they look to build their international profiles. Artists receiving support in this round include Dry Cleaning, Elles Bailey, Cassyette, The Molotovs, Anaiis, Beth McCarthy and Black Country, New Road – a full list of recipients is below.
“As international touring costs rise and global competition intensifies, MEGS is essential both to British SME music businesses looking to break new talent on the global stage, and to artists aiming to build their audiences internationally,” said a statement.
This scheme moves the dial for indie music by funding global tours and promotion, removing the financial hurdles which would otherwise prevent our best home-grown talent from blossoming into international success stories
Peter Kyle
The scheme has previously supported the international careers of more than 450 British artists including Dave, Rina Sawayama, Self Esteem, Jungle, Young Fathers, Kae Tempest and 2025 BRIT Award winners Ezra Collective.
Over the scheme’s 23 previous Rounds, MEGS has invested over £7.9 million in British music, leading to an estimated £73.5 million financial return to the UK economy and a return on investment of nearly £14 for every £1 received from the government.
Sophie Jones (pictured), BPI chief strategy officer, said: “In an increasingly competitive global landscape, the Music Export Growth Scheme is a vital springboard for UK artists looking to reach international audiences and build their profiles, and a critical resource for the UK’s SME music businesses and independent sector. It’s also a proven financial success, generating a significant return on investment, and a great example of what can be achieved when industry and Government come together in support of Britain’s world-class music ecosystem.
“MEGS alumni have gone on to become BRIT Award and Mercury Prize-winners, chart-toppers and household names. We’re excited to see what the future holds for the 68 fantastic artists supported by this latest round, and grateful to the UK government for their continued support of the Scheme.”
Business Secretary Peter Kyle said: “Streaming has revolutionised access to music for fans worldwide, but it has also created unique challenges for smaller artists and independent labels.
“This scheme moves the dial for indie music by funding global tours and promotion, removing the financial hurdles which would otherwise prevent our best home-grown talent from blossoming into international success stories.”
The 68 recipient artists from the 24th MEGS funding round:
Amber Run
Anaiis
And Also The Trees
Andrew Cushin
Antony Szmierek
As It Is
Asta Hiroki
Aurora Orchestra
Bar Italia
Bear’s Den
Beth McCarthy
Big Special
Black Country, New Road
Black Josh & Lee Scott
Cage Fight
Canned Pineapple
Cassyette
Chalk
Chartreuse
Chloe Slater
Common Saints
Daniel Avery
Dark Tropics
Daytime TV
Dry Cleaning
Eleni Drake
Elles Bailey
Erotic Secrets of Pompeii
Essosa
Eynka
Finn Forster
Gaynor O’Flynn
Girl In The Year Above
Halina Rice
Hana Lili
Harriet
Jalen Ngonda
King Jammy
Lastelle
Leifur James
Maiah Wynne
Matilda Mann
Mega
Mica Millar
Modern Woman
Naomi Scott
Nightbus
Nina Nesbitt
Novelist
Panic Shack
Public Service Broadcasting
PVA
Qendresa
Samm Henshaw
Seb Lowe
SOTA
Stornoway
Summer Pearl and Zola Marcelle
The Cinelli Brothers
The Molotovs
The New Eves
The Snuts
The Wellermen
Tropic Gold
Ulrika Spacek
Wes Nelson
Will Samson
Witch Fever
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‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.musicweek.com ’
