goNorth 2009

goNorth is a festival for contemporary and cutting edge music of all genres. It aims to highlight the best emerging talent from Scotland and some of the best new contenders from the rest of the UK and further.



goNorth was launched in 2001 so acts from Northern Scotland and the Highlands & Islands could showcase in front of music industry and media representatives, on their own patch. The event also features seminars and Q&A sessions aimed at helping emerging artists, managers and labels.



Traditionally hosted in several venues on Aberdeen's Belmont Street, goNorth has become the largest newcomer festival in Scotland, with over 60 bands performing over two nights in 2008. goNorth 2009 will be held in Inverness on June 11th & 12th June, 2009 with the goNORTH Stage @ Rockness 13th & 14th. Sonicbids will be sponsoring a stage this year, with at least six performance slots reserved for Sonicbids artists. Artists who submit using Sonicbids will be considered for both the Sonicbids stage and the rest of the festival.



goNorth features acts from all contemporary music genres, with the line-up split equally between artists from the Highlands, other parts of Scotland, UK and the rest of the world. In recent years bands from the USA, Russia, Scandinavia, The Netherlands and the Basque Country have performed. Selected artists are compensated with a small payment for their performance. The goNORTH 2009 album will be released direct to the industry via MUSICWEEK featuring artists playing this years event.



All goNorth showcase gigs are free and open to the public. Music industry and media are asked to register.