UK record industry trade association the BPI has announced details of a £1.6 million (€1.9m) funding round, which will support dozens of British acts touring abroad.

The government-backed Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) is designed to boost British music exports by supporting small-to-medium-sized, independent UK companies as they build their artists in key markets overseas.

A total of 58 artists will benefit from the 23rd round of MEGS funding, including Blossoms, Nubiyan Twist, Wunderhorse, Far Caspian, Jadu Heart and Fat Dog, who were the European Talent Exchange’s most-booked act of 2024.

“At a time where new acts face increasing global competition, the Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) is needed more than ever to enable the next generation of British talent to reach international audiences and grow their profile,” says BPI chief strategy officer Sophie Jones. “It is a genuine game-changer for the artists supported through the scheme, a critical resource for the UK’s burgeoning independent sector, and a proven financial success with a significant return on investment and boost to exports.”

Developed and administered by the BPI, the initiative is jointly funded by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), alongside investment from the UK recorded music industry.

“The 58 incredible acts supported by this latest round of MEGS funding are testament to the diverse creative talent that exists across the whole of the UK”

“The 58 incredible acts supported by this latest round of MEGS funding are testament to the diverse creative talent that exists across the whole of the UK,” adds Jones. “We welcome the government’s continued support of this essential scheme, and look forward to developing continuing our partnership in the years to come.”

Through 23 rounds over the last 11 years, the scheme has invested over £7.9 million in British music, leading to an estimated £73.5m financial return to the UK economy. It has supported the international careers of more than 450 British artists including Dave, Rina Sawayama, Self Esteem, Jungle, Young Fathers, Kae Tempest and Ezra Collective.

“The Music Export Growth Scheme has helped so many of our talented homegrown artists launch their careers internationally,” says culture secretary Lisa Nandy. “As part of our Plan for Change, we are supporting our creative industries to reach their full potential including through this latest round of funding, which will help the next generation of artists to tour abroad, market themselves to new audiences and showcase the best of British culture and creativity to the world.”

The full list of recipient artists from the latest funding round is as follows: Panic :Over, Andrew Cushin, Anna B Savage, Antony Szmierek, Aurora Orchestra with Abel Selaocoe, bar italia, BLACKGOLD, Blossoms, Cassia, Coach Party, corto.alto. Dan Whitlam, Dana Masters, Divorce, Dolores Forever, Ego Ella May, Electric Enemy, Fabiana Palladino, Far Caspian, Fat Dog, Flyte, Grace Davies, Halina Rice, Heartworms, HotWax, Jadu Heart, Katy J Pearson, Kokoroko, Lambrini Girls, London Contemporary Orchestra, Lusaint, Maribou State, Matt Maltese, Ms Banks, Nippa, Nova Twins, Nubiyan Twist, Oscar Jerome, Penelope Trappes, Punk Rock Factory, Red Rum Club, Robocobra Quartet, Rosie Lowe, Ryan McMullan, SOFT PLAY, Somebody’s Child, Songer, Tara Lily, The Bug Club, The K’s, The Lottery Winners, The Molotovs, The Vernon Spring, The Wellermen, Tom Speight, Tunng, Tyler Lewis, Wunderhorse.

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A number of British acts have been awarded funding from the BPI’s Music Exports Growth Scheme to help with touring and marketing costs overseas.

The MEGS fund, originally launched in 2014 with £1.6 million, has been bolstered by £2.8m from the British Government after its relaunch last year. Just under £250,000 of that has now been given to independent labels and management companies to help break 21 acts internationally.

Recipients include punk duo Slaves (pictured), MOBO winning jazz saxophonist YolanDa Brown, Welsh singer-songwriter Cate Le Bon, folk performer Luke Sital-Singh, synthwave act GUNSHIP, and alt rock group Phoria. 

BRIT School graduate Jamie Isaac is also among the new talents being funded alongside r’n’b artist Moelogo, electro-dance pop four-piece Boxed In, London songwriter and performer Charlie Cunningham, indie rock act Clock Opera, and bands Deaf Havana and Don Broco.

Completing the list are Manchester band Everything Everything, multi-instrumental outfit Flamingods, hardcore four-piece Frank Carter & the Rattlesnakes, Kent band Moose Blood, trio Mt. Wolf, Brighton alt-rockers Phoria, rock trio Tigerclub, singer/songwriter Vanessa White and post-punk band White Lies.

The previous MEGS fund, which ran from January 2014 to March 2016, helped 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.

Over the next three years, £2.8 million will be made available in grants to help British acts and independent labels export their music to overseas markets. Small and medium sized companies are eligible to apply for MEGS grants ranging from £5,000 to £50,000.

“The Music Exports Growth Scheme promotes an incredibly diverse range of music that isn’t typically part of the mainstream but deserves to reach a much wider international audience.”

BPI Director of International, Chris Tams, said: “The Music Exports Growth Scheme promotes an incredibly diverse range of music that isn’t typically part of the mainstream but deserves to reach a much wider international audience. Smaller labels don’t always have the means to market their talented artists overseas, which is where the Scheme can make a vital difference, helping to boost not only their profiles and fan-bases, but the UK’s music exports in the process.

“We had an excellent response to this latest round of funding – with nearly a 100 applications submitted.  Narrowing this down wasn’t easy, but we’re delighted to award nearly a quarter of a million pounds to 21 acts – close to matching the largest amount we’ve given to date.”      

International Trade Minister, Mark Garnier, added: “The UK music industry is hugely influential and continues to inspire millions across the world. Britain has an incredible pool of raw talent and, through our GREAT campaign, we will continue to help budding artists take the next step towards global success.”

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