PREVIOUS performers have gone on to share a stage with some of the world's greatest rock stars, while this year's line-up will bow down to the wisdom of Keith Harris, the man who helped launch music legend Stevie Wonder. goNORTH, which was conceived in 2001 to allow acts from the Highlands and Islands to perform in front of the music industry, has enjoyed rude health since its creation, growing from a small-scale concept to a platform for emerging artists from all over the world.
First based in Aberdeen before moving to Inverness last year as part of Highland 2007, the decision to set out this year's stall in Dundee was a natural one, according to festival organiser Shaun Arnold. "A Scottish audience so often sees Glasgow or London as the place to be and that's not always the case. Dundee is a great fit. It has recently enjoyed success with Radio 1's Big Day Out and has increasingly got a great selection of venues, so we're really excited to be showcasing the festival here."
Previous successes with goNORTH have given organisers the confidence to extend this year's programme and stage more than 70 performances (selected from a record 600 entries). Workshops, film events and seminar strands have also been expanded to include all elements of the music industry, from soundtracks and writing to fashion design and labels.
All gigs, events and workshops are free to the public and Arnold hopes festival goers will make the most of the opportunity to catch some of the industry's most exciting up-and-coming talent.
"The audience have come in their thousands since we launched and we want it to be a really vibrant mix for musicians, industry and music lovers. Ultimately it's about encouraging people to come along and enjoy the incredible talent on offer."
Previous goNORTH successes have seen some bands go on to perform at the Rock Ness festival, while others have enjoyed collaborations with some of the industry's leading names – last year's newest band at goNORTH, Our Lunar Activities, found themselves on a plane from their native Lewis to Hollywood to record with Blink 182's Mark Hoppus, while this year's Something Sally act have already worked on a single with Joss Stone.
It was the festival's potential that encouraged Stevie Wonder's manager, Keith Harris, to return to the festival as a keynote speaker, after enjoying goNORTH as an industry delegate last year. Harris also admits to personal reasons for celebrating one of Scotland's most industrious festivals, having been a student at Dundee University in the Seventies.
"Last year, in Aberdeen, I just remember thinking how refreshing it was to go to something like this outside of London where people can get a little blasé," says Harris. "Dundee has always had a strong cultural heritage: I loved that about it, so I'm looking forward to seeing what they do with it here. There is so much emphasis put on Glasgow and Edinburgh normally as the Scottish cities of note, but someone has seen a long-term plan for Dundee, seen its potential and really followed through on it. That is a really positive thing to come back to."
After graduating from Dundee, and following a spell as the university's student union president, Harris was quickly picked up and promoted to general manager at Motown records, an EMI-licensed label. Over the next 10 years, he worked with Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, the Commodores and Stevie Wonder, who he still represents. Shortly after goNORTH, Harris will head off to the States for two months to manage Wonder's world tour.
"Paradoxically, these days with music, the average can blind you to the excellent," says Harris "Everyone has so much access to music now, through the internet or through downloads, and it can be very difficult to get noticed. goNORTH is trying to offer a showcase where some acts can get their music out there, and that's important."
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goNORTH runs in various venues, Dundee, June 5-6 •
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