City Showcase festival confirmed for Napier

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The music festival that helped launch the careers of artists such as Amy Winehouse and Keane is coming to Napier in November.

The City Showcase festival has been running in London since 2003, featuring mainly artists in the early stages of their careers.

Napier will become the first city outside London to host its own City Showcase, as a result of a visit last year from organiser Nanette Rigg.

Ms Rigg said the list of artists who had boosted their careers by playing in the London City Showcase included Winehouse, Keane, Razorlight, Hot Chip and Scouting for Girls. Last year more than 460 artists took part in the festival.

Napier's four-day festival would conclude with a big concert but, as in London, most of the performances would take place in bars, cafes, boutiques and bookshops. Some headline acts would perform as well as the up-and-coming artists.

"Not only is Napier a great location giving easy access to all New Zealand's talented musicians, but it is a beautiful spot with a vibrant cafe culture in which to enjoy wonderful music," Ms Rigg said yesterday.

New Zealand had a wealth of musical talent but musicians needed more high-profile platforms on which to promote themselves.

Music industry specialists would be in Napier to check out the talent and some would form a panel to select the acts for the closing concert.

It would be held on November 28, the final day of the festival, at the Sound Shell, Ms Rigg said.

The winner would be given an opening slot at next year's Mission Concert and the chance to travel to London for the City Showcase there in May 2011.

Musicians have until July 1 to apply for slots in the festival.

- © Fairfax NZ News