The growing strength of the independent sector was highlighted in a 30% increase in attendees to ERA's annual independents conference which took place this week.
Attendance at the event which featured panels with suppliers and "speed-dating" sessions between stores and labels hit a new record of 200 this year, compared with 150 in 2022.
The event culminated in a show-stopping performance by Island Records artists, The Lathums ahead of the release of their second album on March 3 and a nationwide tour. Earlier attendees witnessed a Q&A with Irish post-punk band The Murder Capital who last week released their second album, Gigi's Recovery.
ERA indie board chair Alan Jordan of Newcastle-upon-Tyne record store Reflex said, "The essence of a day like this is really networking. Most indies are based outside London so the opportunity to meet with labels face-to-face is really valuable. When it came to the speed-dating sessions the reps were booked back-to-back all afternoon. It's really important to put faces to names. People were really engaged. The mood was great."
ERA CEO Kim Bayley said, "The indie sector has come so far in the past years. There was a real sense of community in the room. We are grateful to all of those companies, sponsors and particularly The Murder Capital and The Lathums for making it all possible."
