November 14, 2002 7:44

NME HELPS SEARCH FOR THE STARS

Unsigned showcases to be held at 12 cities across the UK, winding up with two seminars in London...

A nationwide series of gigs showcasing unsigned bands as part of the NME-supported NATIONAL MUSIC NETWORK kicks off in NOTTINGHAM and BEDFORD tomorrow (November 15), culminating in two seminars aimed at helping new bands negotiate their way in the music industry.

The unsigned showcases will be held at 12 cities across the UK, winding up with two seminars in London.

The first, to be held at the ICA in London on December 1, will be based around the theme of
"how to start your own record company" and "the state of the industry" and will have a panel including My Life Story frontman Jake Shillingford and industry figures including Korda Marshall, the boss of Mushroom, home to Garbage and Muse[/url], and Tim Parry of Badly Drawn Boy's management company, Big Life.

On December 7 at the ICA speakers including Be Rozzo, founder of the Barfly Club chain, and Andy Mac, A&R manager of Skint Records, will discuss "music in the Internet era" and there will be a demo listening panel.

For full details of all the events, including the unsigned regional showcase dates, go to www.theukunderground.com .