Showcasing Internationally: Scotland In Sweden - A Future Echoes Roundup

Scotland In Sweden: A Future Echoes Roundup

By Harvey Todd

Set in the vibrant city of Norrköping, Future Echoes returned in March of 2024 in partnership with Wide Days and PITCH Scotland for a successful weekend of packed shows and informative panels.

As well as displaying an array of musical talent from all over, Future Echoes festival in 2024 featured a Scottish showcase courtesy of Wide Days and Pitch Scotland. EYVE and JusHarry were booked to wave the saltire for PITCH, with SLIX, Silvi, The Big Day and Zoe Graham taking to several stages through Wide Days.

Bringing a mix of infectious choruses and empowering stage presence over to the Nordic country, the Scottish acts performed at several venues including Rumpan Bar, Cromwell House, Broadway, Mitropa, Världens Bar and Kafé Tassen to busy crowds of eager listeners. 

Have a listen to Future Echoes’ 2024 artists below: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2uJJT1UcFZTK3FVFxmImM9?si=73eb33ff511c4b77

Showcase events are an excellent opportunity to reach new audiences across the world and expand your network to a multitude of valued industry members. Attending events like Future Echoes, Wide Days or The Great Escape (to name a few) puts you on a platform where delegates are on the hunt for new music – so make the most of it by introducing yourself to people and respectfully spread the word of your music. 

Most showcase events have a website that highlight the delegates/ guest speakers backgrounds, allowing for you to do some research prior to the event and identify who you would like to meet. Often they will include email address that the speakers are happy to have publicised, so don’t shy from reaching out beforehand to introduce yourself and arrange a time to meet up for a chat (most likely over a pint). 

Also, for musicians and delegates, throughout the day  there will likely be live panels/ workshops and one-to-one meetings happening that should definitely be on your to-do list, this is a good way of increasing your knowledge of the guest speakers and attaining information/ advice face to face. 

A final piece of advice for showcase events/ festivals is to try and arrive as early as possible, and stay until as late as you can. Some industry members may only be able to stay for a few hours, so you can maximise your chances of developing new professional relationships and connections by hanging around for the whole day. This also opens the door of going to the evening events and gigs, a much more relaxed atmosphere where everyone has the opportunity to unwind and relax, and you can follow up on your new connections by spending some extra time with them.

Tune in to the TikTok video below for a taste of what it’s like to play at a showcase event through the lens of a Scottish indie rock band: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGemAPAYC/

SLIX at Future Echoes Festival, March 2024.

The enlightening panel discussions included ‘Booting Up The Machine’, ‘Creating The Code’, ‘Navigating The Motherboard’ and many more – all hosted by experienced members of the music industry with various backgrounds and knowledge. Collectively, the panels provided a unique perspective on the dynamic landscape of the music industry, ranging from leadership skills to music tourism.

Check out the official after movie video from the Future Echoes YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/a_pUrahtUxs?si=9vVGsSdWrx9PtP7X

Festival delegates were treated to a ‘Skottland At Future Echoes 2024’ feature hosted by Olaf Furniss of Wide Days, involving a descriptive and historic journey through Scotland’s involvement within music, with particular attention devoted to the eclectic roster of radio stations, press, festival and opportunities available. In Scottish fashion, a variety of malt whiskey tasters were provided to delegates to set the tone on the palette before a once in a lifetime chance (for some) to enjoy a deep fried mars bar and some haggis – a fine collection of delicacies that oddly pair excellently. 

Not only did Future Echoes 2024 highlight the wealth of upcoming talent existing throughout Europe, but it also provided a platform for music industry members of all backgrounds and experiences to network together in forming new relationships and strengthening existing ones.

Make sure to check out futureechoes.se for updates on Sweden’s leading showcase music festival.