£2.8m for UK acts under new Megs scheme

The UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT) is to make available nearly £3 million to emerging British talent to export their brand internationally.

Under the Music Export Growth Scheme (Megs), relaunched in partnership with the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), independent British music companies will be eligible for grants, ranging from £5,000 to £50,000, to help their acts break into overseas markets. The total fund stands at £2.8m.

The previous Megs, which ran from January 2014 to March 2016, saw more than £1.6m awarded to a number of now-household names, including Brits 2016 winners Catfish and the Bottlemen, the Mercury Prize-winning Young Fathers and London grime MCs Afrikan Boy and Ghetts.

“Megs will champion the incredible raw talent that we have to offer by giving the support and financial backing many artists need to take that next step”

International trade minister Mark Garnier says: “UK music has a long history of inspiring millions across the world and influencing generations of artists. We are the second biggest exporter of music in the world and one in every six albums sold globally belongs to a British act.

“From the Beatles to Skepta, British music is part of the very fabric of our nation and heritage. Our Music Export Growth Scheme will champion the incredible raw talent that we have to offer by giving the support and financial backing many artists need to take that next step.”

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