Record number of Irish bands invited to perform at prestigious U.S. music industry showcase

A staggering 21 Irish bands have been invited to play South by Southwest, the world's largest and most prestigious music event, on March 17-21, 2010.

Since 2004, Music from Ireland has brought the cream of Irish music to showcase at the annual Irish Breakfast which this year takes place on March 17th, Ireland’s national holiday. Music from Ireland was initiated by First Music Contact to promote Irish bands internationally, in partnership with Culture Ireland and IMRO (the Irish Music Rights Organisation).

Madeline Boughton, Director of Projects and Promotions with Culture Ireland commented: "Culture Ireland is pleased to be supporting the rising stars of the Irish music scene through our partnership with Music from Ireland. With the huge challenges facing the economy in 2010, now more than ever, Irish musicians are central to the promotion of Ireland abroad and South by Southwest is a vitally important opportunity for Irish music to make its mark on the world stage"

South by Southwest [SXSW] is a music industry showcase and festival which attracts some of the world’s most well-known and successful artists, alongside emerging and unsigned bands. Previous Irish artists who have showcased at South By Southwest include Lisa Hannigan, Fight like Apes, Jape,

The South by Southwest Music Festival and Conferences includes a massive trade fair in addition to daily showcases and seminars, attracting over 15,000 music industry professionals. South by Southwest offers Irish bands and artists an opportunity to network and perform with record label executives, publishers, agents, managers and promoters, with over 2000 media looking for the next new thing.

‘It is a really competitive environment and that’s why we believe the financial technical and promo back up MFI can give Irish acts when they get selected is so vital’ comments Angela Dorgan, Director, First Music Contact.

This is a sentiment echoed by Keith Johnson, IMRO: ‘The Music From Ireland initiative is a perfect example of what can be achieved when the music industry comes together in partnership to help foster and develop opportunities for Irish bands and artists on the

world stage.’

The Irish bands showcasing at South by Southwest in 2010 are: As I Watch You From Afar, Autumn Owls, Butterfly Explosion, The Coronas, Dark Room Notes, Dirty Epics, Halves, Fighting With Wire, General Fiasco, Julie Feeney, Lost Brothers, The Minutes, The Mighty Stef, So Cow, Strait Laces, Villagers and The Walls.

You can listen to all of these acts at www.musicfromireland.org or follow their progress over there by tuning in to Paul McCloone [Today fm] and Jenny Huston [2fm] who will be broadcasting live from SXSW.

For more information on Music From Ireland/First Music Contact or the Irish bands at SXSW, contact:  Angela Dorgan at angela@firstmusiccontact.com +353 1 878 2244