Parliament launches national music competition for artists and venues

Earlier this month Mike Weatherley, Conservative MP for Hove and Portslade, launched Rock The House, a national music competition in search of talented new artists and venues from across the UK.

Rock The House is a music competition with a political twist; as well as showcasing unsigned bands and artists, it will raise political awareness of the need for copyright protection measures and inform MPs and the general public as to the importance of copyright protection within the creative industries.

We first met the MP, who worked in the music industry for a number of years himself prior to beginning his political career, at a Westminster Media Forum event, where we were presenting our research into public sector support for British music export. He’s a clearly well-informed advocate for the creative industries sector, and we’re looking forward to taking our discussions on export further at our next meeting.

Backed by industry bodies such as UK Music and Music Managers’ Forum, and by key players such as Live Nation and EMI, Rock The House is looking to showcase the newest and most talented bands and the most innovative live venues.

Bands and venues have until 31 March to put themselves forward, via their local MP, who will make nominations to a judging panel of music industry heavyweights on behalf of their own constituencies.

Winners will be announced by the end of May and all competition finalists will be invited to attend an exclusive event on the Terrace of the House of Commons on 30 June. Further information is available at the Rock The House website.