Scots bands given arts funding for trip to Texas showcase

EIGHTEEN Scottish bands are heading to the rock world's biggest showcase next month, joining thousands of musical acts for the South by South West festival in Austin, Texas.

Fourteen up-and-coming bands will get funding from the Scottish Arts Council (SAC) for the trip at a rate of 750 per head towards flights, hotel, and a performer's visa for the United States.

With 7,000 music industry delegates watching performers on 50 stages, it is seen as a major opportunity for bands to perform and promote themselves.

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Three bands - Mogwai, The View and The Fratellis - are being funded by their record labels. The Jyrojets are supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. But in a surprising move the rising rock star Paolo Nutini is being funded by the arts council in Texas, to the tune of 3,000. Nutini, nominated recently for a Brit award, will join a Scottish showcase event on 16 February.

Other bands include The Cinematics, The Draymin, Emma Pollock, Errors, The Hazey Janes, The Twilight Sad, and Vashti Bunyan.

Ian Smith, head of music at the SAC, said: "The roster of bands invited to the festival from Scotland demonstrates that our investment, both in burgeoning talent and in supporting the careers of already established bands is producing hugely significant results.

"Paolo's career is blossoming in the UK, but the US market is notoriously difficult to break."

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