The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) is the UK trade body representing the specific rights and interests of music artists. They are a not-for-profit organisation, serving a diverse, global membership of creators at all stages of their careers. Uniquely, they are formed by artists, for artists.

Join the FAC takeover for expert industry chat and advice together with Q&As. Whether you are a new or developing artist, a band, producer, or a creative entrepreneur, Music Explosion is an essential evening that will inspire your practise and inform your next steps.

Speakers

6pm-6.45pm: Charlie Deakin Davies - Songwriter, Producer & Artist

Charlie Deakin Davies is a pop/indie record songwriter/producer and artist. They have just got their first UK 1# working on the album ‘Music Played by humans’ by Gary Barlow. Charlie is the winner of the PSN award for Breakthrough Studio Engineer as well as (for the second year in a row) NMG’s Producer of the Year Award. At 25, Charlie is a studio owner with many engineering and production accomplishments that include 11 albums (6 as sole producer) of which 4 are award-winning. Charlie has also produced 25+ EPs and has produced or written 100+ commercially released tracks. They started out with their own studio at the age of 17 ( classic shed at the bottom of the garden vibes) and has been playing/writing in bands since the age of 11.

7pm-7.45pm: Roxanne de Bastion - FAC Board Director, Community Lead

From going on the first UK online tour, to setting up a Patreon page and delivering pay-per-view livestreams, learn about how you can use this moment to connect with existing fans and how to reach new audiences without traditional live touring.

Roxanne de Bastion left Berlin for London straight from high school and, with no financial support or contacts in the city, got by balancing hospitality and admin work with the 90-odd solo gigs she played per year across the UK.

Her remarkably self-sufficient approach was recognised by the FAC, who invited her to join its Board of Directors, advising and representing artists alongside Imogen Heap, Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien and Blur’s Dave Rowntree.

Roxanne also created FM2U, a music conference specifically from and for musicians, which aims to empower & educate as well as create a strong community of artist entrepreneurs.

“A class act!” Danielle Perry, Absolute Radio “Mighty Impressive” Chris Hawkins, BBC6 Music.

8pm-8.45pm: Benny Bizzie - Ambassador: FAC & Attitude is Everything

Benny is a FAC and Attitude is Everything ambassador amplifying the voice of deaf and disabled artists, aiming to advocate for fairer access and inclusivity.

Music literally runs through the blood of British-Nigerian singer and songwriter Benny Bizzie. A fusion of R&B, Soul, and Afro-beats with 5 EP’s self-released, over 500,000 views on YouTube and 2 nominations at the Urban Music Awards.

He started his career as a grime artist in North London aiming to support his family the only way he knew how. He started writing, self-funding and releasing his music independently through UK platforms such as Channel U, Flava TV, Kiss FM, BBC 1Xtra and collaborating with artists JME and Skepta.

Till today music remains the one constant in his life. He found ways to use music as therapy for expressing emotions of early childhood experiences and finding solace.

Following a break from music in 2014 due to ill health, Benny Bizzie started releasing a series of singles, remixes, music videos independently and growing his audience. E- Motion is the latest EP release with over 500K YouTube views and latest singles Pressure and Blood In The Water keeping his fanbase well-entertained during the current Covid-19 pandemic.

Follow the R&B star on social media: Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube.

Listen to Blood In The Water here. Listen to E-Motion EP here.