Record Label & music distribution. Dj Sevices through Edinburgh Dj hire.
25/02/2025
A real pity for the Scottish music scene that Wide Days has been shelved this year due to funding issues.
We are sad to announce that for the first time since its launch in 2010, our Wide Days convention will not go ahead in 2025. This decision has been extremely difficult, but to maintain the level and quality of the event, we believe it is better to take a year out.
Despite the welcome news of a Creative Scotland multi-year funding award, the three-month delay in being notified, and the requirement to adapt our year-round programme and budget in line with what we were awarded, has left us unable to plan a convention based on the time and resources available. Existing delegate pass holders will be automatically refunded.
Though we can’t host Wide Days, we remain committed to the artists and music sector we exist to develop. Other activities will go ahead as planned and our 12-month talent development programme (in partnership with PRS Foundation), will continue unaffected. The selected participants will receive a package of support, including mentoring from a range of industry figures.
As part of this we’re excited to present New From Scotland - two nights of great new music on Thursday 1 and Friday 2 May. Taking place at La Belle Angele and Sneaky Pete’s, the showcases will be open to the public and will be attended by a delegation of international industry professionals, with support from Creative Scotland. Full details will be announced in early March.
Many of our friends and partners will be familiar with our ability to adapt under difficult circumstances, in particular with regard to Wide Days. In 2020 we pivoted to host one of the world’s first online music conventions and were the first organisation in Scotland to professionally film showcases in a venue during lockdown.
And last year, in spite of significant funding challenges, we ran our most successful edition of the event, which continued to adhere to fair work practices for freelancers (including paying the real living wage) and paying artists fairly. However, this was only possible by exempting ourselves, with the directors agreeing to work unpaid for a significant period and using our company reserves.
We will be announcing a range of activities in the coming months and will be back with Wide Days 2026 news, later this year.
Kitt, Michael and Olaf - The Wide Days team
