Musician Gains Noteworthy Insight at Industry Event

by Suzanne Mc Gonagle

One of Belfast's budding musicians yesterday said he was given a "great insight" into the industry at an event aimed at offering aspiring stars an opportunity to hear expertise from music masterminds.

Paddy McKeown (27) was among hundreds of people who gathered at Whitla Hall to hear music gurus such as Feargal Sharkey discuss the future of the industry.

Mr McKeown said the event was useful for people trying to embark on a career in the music industry.

"These days with people trying to embark on a music career of any kind, they really need to know as much as possible," Mr McKeown said.

"I knew that the more I could find out the better. It has beena great insight and it's definitely useful to be here."

Representatives from key music organisations and the UK's most influential industry professionals were among those providing their expertise.

Chief executive of the Northern Ireland Music Industry Commission (NIMIC) Ross Graham said that the event was part of a three-year programme called Music: It's The Business, which involves music skill development, seminars and master classes for music makers and businesses.