We are pleased to host a seminar titled Beyond The Regular Gig focusing on playing live in unusual locations, private homes, club nights and corporate events.

The night will take place in Edinburgh’s Electric Circus on Thursday 31 May and will outline the pros and cons of these alternative platforms and how they can be used to generate audiences for shows in venues.

Speakers include Douglas Robertson, who has hosted dozens of concerts in his Edinburgh home, Andy Richardson whose Trouble club nights include live acts and Ally McCrae, who combines his BBC activity with co-running Detour events. These feature “kidnapped” bands who are filmed playing in outside locations which have included an island on the River Ness, several back alleys and the Forth Road Bridge.

They will be joined by Nick Herd who has hosted concerts in churches, recording studios and galleries.

“Playing in unusual places can help generate publicity and reach new audiences, which in turn will help attract more people when playing regular gigs,” says Born To Be Wide co-organiser Olaf Furniss.  

To guarantee entry, purchase your tickets in advance here.

We are delighted to announce that our next event will be a Music Journalist seminar and will take place at Edinburgh’s Electric Circus on Thursday 8 March.

Featuring some of Scotland’s most prolific music journalists, the discussion will explore how to get press coverage, explain how editorial decisions are made and what artists should include in their press biographies. 

Taking part will be: 

Claire Sawers (Music Editor, The List)

Gary Flockhart (Edinburgh Evening News)

David Pollock (Freelance Music Journalist)

Sue Wilson (Sunday Herald, Songlines & artist biogs)

“These guests cover a diverse range of music and are often the first to write about new acts. This is an incredible opportunity to hear about how they choose who to feature,” says Born To Be Wide co-organiser Olaf Furniss, who has written for music industry titles such as Billboard and Music Week, and along with Derick Mackinnon pens the Under The Radar column in The Scotsman.

Following the seminar the panel participants will stay at the venue to DJ with records selected from Edinburgh’s Oxfam record shops, receive CDs and meet audience members. Everything played will be for sale with proceeds going to the charity.

Last month's Born To Be Wide seminar was a complete sell out, so to avoid missing out it is advised tickets are purchased in advance. You can purchase tickets here.

We are pleased to announce a seminar devoted to music festivals and the opportunities they offer to emerging acts. Taking place at Edinburgh’s Electric Circus on Thursday 2 February, it will detail the selection procedure, fees, what artists are offered in terms of promotion and how to make the best use of a a slot.

Confirmed guests include:

Dave Corbet [DF Concerts/T In The Park/The Edge Festival]

Katch Holmes [Knockengorroch Festival]

Gordon Reilly [Insider Festival]

Shaun Arnold [Go North and stages at Wickerman, Belladrum, Wizard and Loopallu]. 

“Festivals offer a great platform for emerging acts to reach new audiences,” says Born To Be Wide co-organiser, Olaf Furniss. “This event will provide a unique insight into what festivals offer, and will also give musicians the opportunity to meet the bookers. We recommend people bring their CDs!“

After the panel, the seminar guests will stay at the venue to DJ with records they have selected from Edinburgh’s Oxfam music shop. Everything played will be for sale with all proceeds going to the charity.

Advance tickets are cheaper and are available by clicking on the links below.  

Event Details: Thursday 2 February 2012, The Electric Circus Edinburgh, 7pm.

Tickets: £6.00 / £4.50 [MU] / £3.00 [under 18s] + booking fee. Buy tickets here.

Group discounts available on request. 

Born To Be Wide is to host a seminar providing an ‘all you need to know’ insight into the studio process. Taking place at Edinburgh’s Electric Circus on Thursday 1 December it will feature industry professionals providing advice from a diverse range of perspectives including that of musicians, producer, engineer and manager.

Participants include Teenage Fanclub’s Francis Macdonald, who also owns the Shoeshine label, manages Camera Obscura and in recent years has branched out into production. Keren McKean’s experience includes managing Snow Patrol, working as an A&R, running festivals and setting up the We Make Music Work record company.

They will be joined by Stanley Odd frontman and mastering expert, Dave Hook, and engineer Garry Boyle who works with a number of Scottish studios including Castlesound Studios, The Depot Recording Studios and recently opened Gorbals Sound Studios working with a range of emerging and high profile acts.

The panel will focus on how to select the right studio, how to get the best value on a budget and mastering, as finding the right producer and engineer. It will also cover what should be taken into account when recording from home and the technical requirements involved in recording for different media such as film or television.

The Studio Panel will take place on Thursday 1st December from 7.00-9.30pm, with panel guests DJing from 9.30pm onwards. Tickets are priced at £5 in advance (£3.50 MU & £2.50 U18s) and will be £6 on the door.

Simply click the images below to purchase your tickets in advance:

Born To Be Wide will host a radio seminar, taking place at 7.00pm on the 3rd November at Electric Circus, Edinburgh. Speakers include the BBC’s Vic Galloway, award winning presenter Jim Gellatly, veteran radio plugger Grant Crain and producer of Radio’s Scotland’s Iain Anderson Show,Stewart Cruickshank. An additional guest is to be confirmed later this week.

The seminar will draw on the extensive experience of the participants to outline which shows and stations support new talent, as well as how best to approach programmers, producers and DJs.

“Top Scottish acts including Biffy Clyro, Franz Ferdinand and Calvin Harris got their first plays on shows hosted by Michael Douglas and Jim,” says Born To Be Wide co-organiser, Olaf Furniss. “Radio continues to be an extremely important medium for breaking new artists and this panel provides an excellent opportunity to find out how the music is chosen.

As a former head of music at Radio Scotland, Stewart Cruickshank continues to support new acts on the Iain Anderson show, while Grant Crain’s position as a plugger for Columbia Records, will offer an invaluable insight into the nationwide radio landscape."

Following the seminar, several of the guests will remain at the club to play a selection of their favourite records.

Seminar tickets are very limited and organisers recommend buying in advance. Tickets are priced at £6 in advance (£4 for MU Members and £3 for under 18s).

To buy your tickets simply click here.