News

• 22 UK-based music managers to participate in the groundbreaking grants and education programme

• Continuing Accelerator’s commitment to diversity, the participants represent more than 70 acts across all genres including Blinkie, Shygirl, Idlewild, Mirra May, Ay Em, BC Camplight, Employed to Serve and Porridge Radio

• All will receive funding of up to £15,000 alongside expert-led professional training

• Backed by YouTube Music, Arts Council England, Creative Scotland and the Scottish Music Industry Association, Accelerator has supported more than 45 individual managers since 2019 and created a strong track record of success and sustainability  

• 2020’s Accelerator alumni included managers of Joy Crookes, Nafe Smallz, Dry Cleaning, Michael Price and Joesef

The Music Managers Forum (The MMF), has revealed the 22 participants for this year’s Accelerator Programme for Music Managers. 

Representing a significant breadth of artists, songwriters, DJs and producers, they include managers working with more than 70 highly talented acts such as Blinkie, Shygirl, Idlewild, Ay Em, BC Camplight, Employed to Serve, Mirra May, and Porridge Radio. 

See here for full details of the Accelerator 2021 participants, and access a playlist here. 

An image can be downloaded here.

Supported by YouTube Music, Arts Council England, Creative Scotland and the Scottish Music Industry Association, Accelerator was launched in January 2019 with the goal of helping upcoming music managers develop long-term sustainable businesses. 

Recognising the increasingly pivotal role of the music manager to finance, develop and facilitate artist careers, the programme provides both financial and educational support – offering 12-month grants of up to £15,000, alongside expert-led professional development training. 

To date, more than 45 music managers from around the UK have benefitted from Accelerator and built an enviable track record of successes. Despite the horrific and ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020’s participants have exhibited incredible resilience with notable achievements including:

• Top 10 and Top 20 albums for Nafe Smallz (managed by Ashley Perry, Ozone Music)
• Top 20 album for Dream Wife (managed by Tim Hampson, Candy Artists)
• Cuts for Mandara Beatz and Nyge on Headie One’s Edna (managed respectively by Jade Richardson, Jade-Inc and Chris Grey, Problem Child)
• Nine co-writes for Henry Brill on Jack Garratt’s Top Ten album Love Death & Dancing (managed by Pip Newby, Friends Vs Music)
• Brit-nominated Joy Crookes surpassed 100k YouTube subscribers (managed by Charlie Owen)
• Joesef signed a global record deal AWAL (managed by Lyle Scougall, Manana Management)

Last year also saw Ian Tunstall and Rian Zoll-Khan, who met on 2019’s Accelerator, deliver a Top 3 single for Wes Nelson. Meanwhile, also from 2019’s alumni, Koyejo Oloko guided Moses Boyd to a Mercury nomination for his debut album, Dark Matter, while Loretta Andrews saw her newly-signed client, Jake Issac, make his US television debut on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. 

Paul Bonham, Accelerator Programme Manager at the MMF 

“As we enter a third year, it feels Accelerator is firmly on the map and a new and diverse generation of music managers is benefitting from the programme. The support of YouTube Music, Arts Council England, Creative Scotland and the Scottish Music Industry Association has been absolutely crucial, and especially over the past 12 months when managers have had to show real resilience in order for their artists to pivot, innovate, survive and succeed. 

“Digital-based entrepreneurial skills are now at the core of music management, and I believe that Accelerator’s growing network of 65 people will help shape the future of our business. 2021’s participants are an eclectic and exciting group, and I’m looking forward to similar successes in the 12 months ahead.”

Dan Chalmers, YouTube Music Director of EMEA 

“Music managers are one of the lifebloods of the music industry so we are looking forward to partnering once again with the MMF Accelerator Programme. We believe passionately in giving the next generation of managers the tools they need to propel our creative economy forward.  We’ve been hugely impressed by some of the results achieved from the programme in the last few years and look forward to seeing what the Class of 2021 have in store for us.” 

Huey Walker, Senior Manager, Music, Arts Council England 

“MMF’s Accelerator programme plays a significant role in supporting the next generation of music managers across the country, equipping them with the skills they need to ensure the UK’s vibrant music industry, and its artists, remain at the forefront of global innovation. Arts Council England is pleased to support this important talent development programme, which shines a light on the incredible breadth of talent our country has to offer, thanks to National Lottery funding.”

Jason Edwards, Executive Director, The Scottish Music Industry Association

“We’re delighted that Michael and Joseph have been selected as part of this year’s programme and will get to benefit from the invaluable development opportunities provided by the MMF Accelerator.

Through our partnership with MMF we will continue to spread awareness of Accelerator within our diverse membership, to ensure Scottish managers from all geographies and genres have an opportunity to be a part of this great initiative.”