Revelling in independents.

Inaugural global event shines spotlight on diversity and achievements of independent artists and labels

Independent music organisations around the world are joining forces to create an annual global event to celebrate the independent sector.

Independents Day, which will debut on July 4 this year, aims to throw the spotlight on the diversity and achievements of independent artists and labels in what is expected to become one of the key events in the music industry calendar.

The event, which was due to be launched at Midem yesterday (Sunday), is being put together by the World Independent Network (Win) in association with individual labels and national trade organisations from territories including the US, Europe, Japan, Australia and Brazil.

It will include multimedia link-ups in the UK with national press and radio stations, the release of a special-edition album and what organisers are calling "the world's largest-ever music auction". World Independent Network president and Aim chairman and chief executive Alison Wenham describes its purpose as to "celebrate independent music's culture, strengthen ties and further establish industry ties".

The announcement of the event comes as indies organisation Impala presented its first action plan designed to give a boost to music throughout Europe to EC commissioner for education, training, culture and youth Jan Figel (see pages 4-5).

Artists including Nitin Sawhney, DJ Spooky, London Elektricity and Radio Slave have already pledged their allegiance to Independents Day, while the event has also secured support from Amazon MP3, eMusic and ...