Australasian Worldwide Music Expo in Melbourne to Present some of the Best Roots Music from around the world

The Australasian Worldwide Music Expo 2012 (AWME) will take place November 15 – 18, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. This year’s music program includes Nigeria’s celebrated Afrobeat star Seun Kuti & Egypt 80; Archie Roach’s ‘Into The Bloodstream’ – a gospel infused journey of life with Archie, original Jamaican roots vocal group The Abyssinians; Melbourne’s funk-soul band The Bamboos; Indigenous rock-reggae trailblazers The Bart Willoughby Band; Australia’s alt-country Jordie Lane; New Zealand soul diva Ladi6; alt-acoustic bluesman Charlie Parr (USA); groove-driven electronic Indigenous roots outfit OKA; electronic dub masters Iration Steppas (UK); and founder of the renowned Sofrito Tropical Warehouse parties Hugo Mendez (UK).

The award winning singer-songwriter Clare Bowditch, pioneer of London’s new generation of dubHollie Cook; Manding bluesman Boubacar Traoré from Mali; as well as the multi-talented Melbourne-based percussionist Airileke have been added to the extensive AWME 2012 lineup.

Also performing this year is Israel’s acclaimed Sephardic singer Yasmin Levy; Indigenous soul-funk groover Dave Dow; Breabach from Scotland, and Christine Salem from Reunion Island.

In addition to presenting an attractive public festival event, AWME also creates a platform for musicians from the region to access high profile music industry representatives from around the world, including booking agents, label managers and music media for four days of keynote speakers, conference sessions and networking.

Together with the keynote speaker program, AWME 2012 will also offer an amazing cross-section of industry focused panel sessions including Selecting Festival Line-ups, Focus on Asia, The Culture of Contemporary Indigenous Music, a special Song Peoples Session and a look at the hot topic of Publicity in the Current Global Market.

This year’s national and international delegates and conference guest speakers include representatives from:

Glastonbury Festival (UK), Exit Festival (Serbia), Barbican (UK), BBC (UK), WOMAD Festivals (UK), Fuji Rock Festival (Japan), The Agency Group (USA), Calgary Folk Festival (Canada), Sziget Festival (Hungary), WOMEX (Germany), Paquin Entertainment (USA), Modern Sky (China), Blue Frog Media (India), Chugg Entertainment, MONA FOMA, Bluesfest, WOMADelaide, Peats Ridge Festival, Future Entertainment, Sounds Australia, Boomerang Festival, Australia Council for the Arts, Arts Victoria, APRA|AMCOS, Songlines, Sydney Festival, Adelaide Festival, Meredith Music Festival and Premier Artists.

AWME 2012 Artist Lineup:

Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 (Nigeria), Archie Roach’s Into The Bloodstream, The Abyssinians (Jamaica), Clare Bowditch, The Bamboos, Iration Steppas (UK), Kutcha Edwards, Charlie Parr (USA), Hugo Mendez – Sofrito (UK), Hollie Cook with Prince Fatty & Horseman (UK), Boubacar Traoré (Mali), The Bart Willoughby Band, Ladi6 (NZ), House of Shem (NZ), OKA, Jordie Lane, Yasmin Levy (Israel), Christine Salem (Reunion Is/France), The Bombay Royale, Electric Empire, Airileke (Aus/PNG), Dave Dow, Jumps, Saskwatch, Bachu Khan (India), Iva Lamkum (NZ), Benny Walker, East Journey, Edou (New Caledonia), Kingfisha, The Medics, Officina Zoe (Italy), Sietta, Sophie Koh, Sue Ray, The Good Ship, Breabach, (Scotland), The Perch Creek Family Jugband, Watussi, Madre Monte, Tek Tek Ensemble, Northside DJs, Stryka D, plus more.

AWME 2012 will take place at the Arts Centre Melbourne, The Hi-Fi, The Toff, Ding Dong and Lounge. Tickets will be on sale via the venues.

more at http://www.awme.com.au