The Great Escape Convention, the UK’s premiere music conference held in Brighton across 16-18 May, today announces details of its DIY programme for 2013. Comprised of a strand of workshops, panels and conversations, the inspired programme, supported by Arts Council England National Lottery funded Grants for the Arts, is specifically aimed at future music industry talent and the grassroots music community, including managers, promoters, songwriters, producers, self-releasing artists and music business entrepreneurs.  

This year's DIY programme will take place on Saturday 18 May, the third day of the convention, and will include practical workshops on getting started as an artist, how to build up the buzz for your band, managing an online presence and tips for pursuing careers in the music business, plus panels offering invaluable insight from industry experts.  

The Great Escape Convention is also thrilled to announce that Billy Bragg will address the DIY audience, offering advice and encouragement for the next generation of artists and music business talent. Now adopting a DIY approach himself, Billy will explain why now is one of the most exciting times to be an artist, while offering some advice on how to tackle the challenges faced by every DIY act.  

Billy says: "Although I've been working in the industry a long time, I have adopted an increasingly DIY approach since my last record, producing my own merchandise and CDs to be made available via my website and at gigs. I'm currently immersed in the process of applying that principle to releasing a proper album. These are exciting times for musicians and I look forward to sharing some of the insights I've gathered trying to negotiate the record industry, whilst retaining both my rights and my ability to earn a living". 

Also addressing attendees as part of the DIY programme is Korda Marshall, founder of Infectious, the label that is home to the likes of Local Natives, Drenge, The Temper Trap and Alt-J. A veteran of both the major and independent label systems and one of UK music's greatest A&Rs, Korda will offer advice to artists looking to form label partnerships, and for those interested in pursuing their own music ventures.  

Korda says: "Right now is an incredibly exciting time to be a music entrepreneur, with so many of the old business models finally approaching their last breath. There are such a wonderful mix of new and different approaches being tried and tested, capitalising on new methods of income, and the amazing ease of access we now have to the worldwide marketplace is changing the way we work. I'm really looking forward to being part of this year's Great Escape and sharing both my positive and negative experiences of DIY, and explaining how to spot and avoid the many pitfalls that can trip up artists, labels and start-ups in the world of independent music".  

The DIY programme will be one of three themed strands at The Great Escape convention this year. The other strands include DATA & DISCOVERY and MUSIC MARKETING with more details to be announced soon. The DIY programme is open to all delegates of The Great Escape convention. Delegate passes are now available at the early bird rate of £145 here.  

Delegates also have priority access to The Great Escape festival, Europe’s leading festival for new music, presenting over 350 exciting new artists and bands in over 30 venues across Brighton. First confirmed artists include BILLY BRAGG*, LITTLE GREEN CARS, THE EIGHTIES MATCHBOX B-LINE DISASTER, THE STRYPES, BΔSTILLE*, TOM ODELL, KING KRULE and CHVRCHES. 

*A small number of shows will take place at The Dome in Brighton. The first and second 2013 Dome Shows to be announced are BΔSTILLE and BILLY BRAGG. To gain access to a Brighton Dome Show, attendees can top up their festival wristband for only £7 per show, or purchase a separate gig ticket. 

The Great Escape 2013 at Various Venues, Brighton, East Sussex Thu 16th to Sat 18th May 2013.