Indies seize the day... and not before time.

Independents Day celebrates indies' influence as one pioneering spirit

readjusts the focus of his business

VAT's entertainement: French President Nicolas Sarkozy is pressing for a reduced rate of VAT for all cultural goods, perhaps influenced by partner Carla Bruni who records for French indie label Naove

At a time when a single music company can sometimes command more than 50% of the UK's artist albums market, the first-ever Independents Day will provide a much-needed platform to remind everyone of the huge contribution the independent sector has made and continues to make to the music industry around the world.

In this era of consolidation, when so many of the biggest and most successful indies have been swallowed up by the big boys, this global event on July 4-6 weekend has the chance of switching the public's focus to a part of the business that, from the pioneering days of labels such as Chess and Atlantic in the Fifties to the likes of XL and ...