London new music festival City Showcase has announced that it'll be returning from 4-8 Jun. Once again it will all be about championing new music via a programme of free showcases taking place in shops and venues around central London.
One of the then little known bands who played a past City Showcase was Keane, who say of the festival: "It's hard to get anywhere as a band, and the City Showcase gig we played at the Islington Academy in February 2003 was a great opportunity for us to play on a bigger stage than we were used to. At that time we didn't have a record deal, so knowing there was no hope of tour support(!), every decent gig we were offered was a godsend and helped make us a better band". So there you go.
Free daytime gigs take place in shops and cafés around Carnaby Street and Regent Street, including Fopp, Ben Sherman, Miss Sixty, The Apple Store and Virgin Megastore. In the evening there'll be themed showcases hosted by Ras Kwame, DJ Shortie, Nihal and Bobby Friction, John Kennedy and Ian Camfield. Amongst the acts appearing at this year's gigs are N-Dubz, Devil Sold His Soul, Electric City, Union of Knives, Gallows, Brinkman, The Silent Years, BC Camplight, Sona Family, Prithpal, Anthill and Ben's Brother.
For more info and ticketing see http://www.cityshowcase.co.uk, press info from Duff Press.