Plug'd In Live Events
What is it?
One of the questions that is often asked by bands that want to perform at the Plug'd In live showcases is – what is the show about and where can it take the band?

To answer this, we have decided to explain the process by following the latest bands -Mad Dog, Nina and Adam Buridge – who from the tedium of unfulfilled gigs are now on the road to success, after performing at the Plug'd In live showcase on the 28th March 2010.

The founding ethos of Jar Music Live (JML), should suggest, that whatever event an unsigned band plays for us, it will always be the building block to something bigger and better. However, operating in a sceptical industry where musicians have been bruised by past experiences, it is unfortunate that genuine opportunities are sometimes clouded by cynicism.

Mad Dog, like many bands, were scouted by one of Jar Music Group's (JMG) partners "Fairbanks Artist Relations" one of the biggest Artist Agency boosting artist such as Madonna, Kaiser Chiefs, Kings Of Leon on their books, in September 2009.

The band was invited to take part in one of our London "Plug'd In Live" showcase, held every Tuesday at the O2 Academy2 Islington. These particular shows have been running for over 2 years and have become a regular gathering place for music executives and the music media.

On this particular night, the VIP guest-list included JMG's A&R, Notting Hill Publishing, Sanctuary management, RCA Records, Helter Skelter, BMI and EMI publishing.

During the show the band were given the opportunity to meet with our scouts and discuss issues that were holding them back from achieving their music potential. Like most bands, topics centered on a good studio recording, increasing their media profile by playing more festivals and supports to generate income streams that allowed them to concentrate more on their music.

The band's performance and promotion at the first show ticked all the right boxes and met the scouting requirements of our in-house and affiliated labels and booking agents. As a consequence, they were invited to perform at the Jar Music Group's (JMG) Official Industry showcase at the o2 academy Islington.

These events are used to showcase JMG bands, including some scouted at the Plug'd In Live, to the media, record labels and sponsors.

Every band performing on these high profile shows are supported by a personalised PR campaign. This is to create a results orientated environment and event where the invited guests match the genre, profile and ambitions of the showcased bands. The PR strategy is drawn-up from the scouts reports gathered from the Plug'd In Live showcase.



At JMG's showcase Mad Dog performed an impeccable set and deliver on all the music and show elements, necessary to gain the interest of the music executives, and the promotion requirements, necessary to capture the attention of the tour and festival bookers.

JMG executives initiated a development plan with a focus on the bands' live show and producing a professional live recording and video. This would be a vital part of the promotion for the festivals and tours. Particular attention was placed on the UK and the Western Europe Regions.

A studio session, arrange by JMG, with top producer Doug Cook – co-producers on projects with The Stereophonics, Paul Weller, Jeff Beck, and Paul Rodgers – to record the band's newest tracks and "polish" their existing ones. The recording was then used to provide an up to date album ready for release and to generate sales at the upcoming festivals.

To underpin one of Mad Dog's best selling points – their live sound- JMG's executives made a decision to produce a professional live Ep "Mad Dog Live @ The o2 Academy" which would be an audio "visualisation" of their live performance.

During the official showcase at the o2 academy Islington all the band's performance was recorded using Steinberg's Nuendo4 and Scan computers. The copy of the recordings were then delivered to JMG's producers and sent to our publicity dept who in turn gathered feedback on marketability of the songs from the UK music media which including Radio 1 and NME. This is a common practice used by JMG to development dept and record labels to evaluate market response to an Artists new material. This proved pivotal for positioning the band and generating the interest and exposure.
LOGO
The band were invited by JMG for a day session at the £2,500 a-day British Grove Studio were the live mini album was produced under the watchful eye of Mr Antonio Robinson (A&R Executive and RCA affiliated).

Implementing the development plan resulted in the band being booked into 3 festivals; Jelling Festival in Denmark supporting Elton John & Wolfmother. The Getaway Rock Festival in Sweden supporting Motorhead and headlining The Music4Life Festival in Sudbury (Suffolk).

The UK release of their live album will coincide with an Autumn UK tour including dates at the O2 Academies.

Jar Music Group's A&Rs are getting the band prepared by arranging London supports for the fillers (14th may) and Pennywise (16th may) at the O2 Shepherds Bush London.

We are well aware that we may not always be able to help ever band that performs at one of our shows, but we are confident in the fact that we stand head and shoulders above other promoters or music companies for delivering real opportunities for unsigned bands.

Miss Karolina Gabrielle
Artist & Events Relation Manager
Jar Music Live