Breaking in America

The Art of Presenting International Music in the US

  • event type:WOMEX 14 Conference
  • date:25 Oct 2014
  • time:11:00 - 11:45
  • city/area:Santiago de Compostela, Galicia
  • venue:Conference Room 2 Cidade da Cultura
  • country:Spain
  • event posted by:Piranha Arts

Presented by:

- Mehmet Dede (Turkey/USA)
talent buyer and tour producer, Drom/New York Gypsy Festival, USA

The US live industry is the largest in size in the world. Yet distances, varying cultures, costs, complex legal matters and the language barrier make it the most difficult market to penetrate. So what is the best strategy for foreign acts to create a meaningful presence in the US? This highly informative session is designed to introduce audiences to the basic entry points to the US market.

We will consider market history and culture, building a professional team, planning, budgeting and getting on presenter/agent's radars utilising your global network. A case study of how Romanian band Fanfare Ciocarlia broke into the North American market will reveal insights into their strategy.

(Photo: Mehmet Dede by Ilya Popenko)