The government has announced a range of new initiatives to help British music acts break into the American market.
These include making new research into the US market available to UK music companies and developing a website highlighting the latest British music. Other moves include a broad programme of gigs showcasing UK musicians. The measures come ahead of the South by South West music festival (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, which this year hosts its largest ever British presence.
"From the Beatles, through David Bowie to Coldplay, the UK music scene has always led the world," said Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Alan Johnson at a press conference in London on Thursday."But we have not always capitalised on our talent to break America. I want to ensure that Government works with the industry and our best artists to showcase talent in the US."
The initiatives have the full support of the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), the record industry's trade association, and AIM, the non-profit trade body representing the independent record sector. British acts appearing at SXSW this year include Goldfrapp, Morrissey, KT Tunstall and Corinne Bailey Rae.
Held over a five-day period every March, the festival is regarded as the recording industry's primary showcasing event. This week British singer-songwriter James Blunt became the first UK artist to top the US singles chart since 1997.
Source: news.bbc.co.uk
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