That Paolo Nutini fella has decided not to take a three grand grant off the Scottish Arts Council to help cover the costs of a jaunt to next month's SXSW. Nutini's management, who received three grand off the arts body last year to help launch the singer songwriter's career, had applied for further funding for the SXSW trip, but the move was criticised by some, despite Arts Council chiefs approving the application. Some argued that Nutini, as a rising star, could now cover his own costs for the America trip, adding that other Scottish names like The Fratellis and The View had not applied for public cash for similar promotional exercises. With all that in mind, Nutini's people decided not to take the grant from the arts body, even though they had been awarded it. The SAC, which, in my most humble opinion, should be commended for having schemes to support new Scottish bands, will provide grants to another ten acts to help them play at the Texan music convention.
Talking of SXSW, the preliminary line up for this year's convention, which runs from 14-18 Mar, has been announced. It's a long list, so I suggest you go here to look at it: http://2007.sxsw.com/music/festival