When UK band Gloria Cycles (2008 Emergenza worldwide winner) told me a few months back that they were going to play the independent music event in Paris, my feelers came out and I started investigating. As a long time fan of music trade shows and discussions/panels alike, I got in touch with the organizers to see if there was a possibility to involve a few friends………meaning: getting free passes to watch great bands while getting drunk. What I found was a super charged, highly organized affair with intelligent panels and great “speed meetings” (10/15 minutes to meet music biz people) for small music business services. Myself, I was involved in sharing knowledge and also asking many questions as to why we have such talented bands “left behind” in the dust. The answer was simple: build your fan-base first, act upon it later. As a long time believer of independence and hard work in building a fan base (I manage Emergenza bands after all), I shared many views with the 1400 music business professionals that attended the trade show (or “salon” as the stylish French people called it). Over 2 days, I saw representation from the Spanish government, the Yorkshire trade and industry department, the biggest Japanese label/management company, The Italian state television and the French music manager’s forum. These professionals descended onto Paris to see many bands showcase. Many of which were in fact Emergenza bands in the past (saw some lads I knew from 3 years ago and now going super-strong!). A lesson on how to actually “sell” and promote themselves to the right people. Some say that labels are obsolete. I agree fully but at the end of the day all bands and their managers need to make contacts in the music field and The Independent Music event was the right setting. I saw bands from as far as Israel, Canada, Russia, USA, Japan, Sweden, Italy, UK and France. The ones that stood out for me are: Old Wives tale from Miami, DEDE Mouse from Tokio. Shokolady from Moscow and The Niro from Rome (who incidentally was the only act that got an encore requested!). These are just a few acts from 2 days of madness, live music and Music business contacts. Overall I must say I was impressed. This is something all bands, solo musicians, managers or people that want to get involved in music should do: GO TO THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC EVENT!!! See you in 2010!!