Artist Selection Process

The Spotlight England application process was open to all. The English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) and the Spotlight England Steering Group members (names below) disseminated news of the application process via the EFDSS mailing list, through an article in Songlines magazine (the Spotlight England media sponsor), through regional Arts Council England officers, Steering Group databases and more.

Applications were assessed by the Steering Group; it should be emphasised that no Steering Group member working directly with a particular artist was asked to score that artist.  The decisions were based on the information provided by the applicant, the key criteria being that the music was clearly rooted in the English tradition and that the artist/band could maximise the opportunity that performing at Showcase Scotland/Celtic Connections could afford.  The result was a long list of twenty-four artists.

The long list artists will then be submitted to Celtic Connections’ Artistic Director Donald Shaw.  Donald will select the 6 artists/bands that will work the best within the overall Celtic Connections programme and for the Showcase Scotland delegates.  The Steering Group has no influence over this final selection.

The Steering Group

David Agnew, Director The Met, Bury
Eddie Barcan, Cambridge Folk Festival
Alan Bearman, Alan Bearman Music, Towersey and Sidmouth Folk Festivals
Simon Care, musician and artists’ manager
Jo Frost, Songlines Magazine
Steve Heap, AFO and Mrs Casey Music
Terry O’Brien, Playpen Management & Agency
Neil Pearson, Shrewsbury Folk Festival
Chris Pentney, Folkworks/The Sage Gateshead
Katy Spicer, EFDSS
Ceri Wade, Alan Bearman Music
Chris Wade, Adastra and Beverley Folk Festival
Katie Weatherall, British Underground