Sound City Korea

Sound City Korea is a pioneering programme for musicians and industry professionals who are based in England, that targets Korea, a rapidly emerging and increasingly important international market with an annual spend of $53m on music and digital content, that’s widely seen as a gateway to a wider Asian market. In its first 5 years it has supported 100 musicians and industry professionals to attend 2 leading Korean Festivals: Zandari Festival and MUCON.

Supported by Arts Council England and the British Council.

Scroll down to see our timeline of events!

Sound City Korea launches with 6 acts: Tea Street Band, Natalie McCool, Johnny Sands, Hyde & Beast, Chelou and Fizzy Blood.
Fizzy Blood’s manager secured a licensing and distribution deal with Korea’s LoveRock label
Hatch Records - In 2015, this label was able to negotiate a distribution deal with Korean based Leeway Distribution.
Johnny Sands: Johnny’s then label, Baltic Records were offered a single deal off the back of Sound City Korea 2015.
Fizzy Blood’s manager Brendan Walsh managed to negotiate a licensing and distribution deal with Korea’s LoveRock label
Chelou: secured a new manager in 2017, and as a result undertook a 20 date European tour that year.

2015

7 Artists performed at Zandari Festa and MUCON: Sugarmen, She Drew The Gun, I Set The Sea On Fire, Coquin Migale, Atlas Wynd, Elle Exxe, Shakka
She Drew the Gun: secured a publishing deal in Korea (Chilli Music) and USA (Friendly Fire) and management from Ignition in the UK
Coquin Migale End Of Trail Recordings secured a European agent for Coquin Migale as a consequence of the ‘critical mass’ generated through Sound City Korea, resulting in a string of European dates for the band
Shakka was invited to perform at MIDEM as a direct result of his manager connecting with the MIDEM team while at Zandari Festival
Atlas Wynd After being part of Sound City Korea, Atlas Wynd were invited to play in Bulgaria in 2017
Elle Exxe Elle’s manager reported having secured 6 US dates off the back of Sound City Korea. Her involvement helped clinch a worldwide deal with Marshall Arts opening up the US, Asia and the Pacific Rim

2016

7 artists: Chloe Martini, Marvin Powell, Crosa Rosa, Afrikan Boy, Rival Bones, Vito, Twistettes went to Korea
Afrikan Boy was offered live dates in Indonesia following on from Sound City Korea
Rival Bones and Vito were offered festival slots in Mongolia and at Pentaport (Korea)
Marvin Powell gained management in the UK following on from his performance
Sheffield based DMF Digital negotiated Korean licensing deals for Rival Bones and I Set the Sea on Fire (2016)

2017

6 artists: Alice's Night Circus, EYRE LLEW, False Advertising, The Hot Soles, Love Ssega, Red Rum Club went to Korea
Love Sega was offered a publishing deal with South Korean publishers, Chilli Music
Red Rum Club secured Steve Zapp (Biffy Clyro, The Courteeners) as their agent
False Advertising were offered festival spots at Pentaport Festival, Korea and Wind Chimes festival in Mongolia
EYRE LLEW were offered a 5 date Korean tour

2018

6 artists: The Sherlocks, The Tea Street Band, Wooze, Too Many T’s, TxT, Scarlet played
Sherlocks were on a show for Seoul Music Festival which was broadcast on MTV in Korea
The Tea Street Band did a 4 date Korean tour

2019