MOBO spirit alive and kicking at Glasgow. Music. Now

Home-grown troupes of bhangra, hip hop and break-dancers got Glasgow swinging in the MOBO spirit today with a vibrant event to mark the city’s role as host of the eponymous and prestigious MOBO Awards.

Glasgow. Music. Now., an event in celebration of music of black origin and the MOBO Awards, attracted hundreds of young people and music industry figures to the Hub, at the heart of the city’s new Digital Media Quarter.   Kanya King, founder of the MOBO awards, also attended to see the best that Scotland has to offer.

With a focus on business, music, equality and the creative industries, the event was attended by industry figures and students from colleges and universities involved in the music and creative industries, to coincide with the MOBO Awards, being held outside of London for the first time and during Glasgow’s status as UNESCO City of Music. The event served to help young people aspiring to make a name for themselves in the music industry – whether as sound engineers, composers of film soundtracks, recording artists, radio presenters or music producers.

Lena Wilson, Chief Operating Officer, Scottish Enterprise commented:  "It is a great honour to be the first city outside of London to host the MOBO Awards in their fourteen year history and we, in Scotland and more specifically, in Glasgow, feel very privileged to be associated with one of the most televised music award shows in the world today. This supporting event ahead of the MOBO Awards was a great platform for to showcase and debate what Scotland has to offer in the digital media sector." 

Glasgow. Music. Now., organised by Scottish Enterprise, served as a platform to showcase sub-culture and musical talent and to debate cutting edge issues affecting the music and digital industry. Live performances included the colourful Punjabi No. 1 bhangra group, S-Type and Scatterbrain, featuring Loki, Marrik and Depths with their hip-hop routine, The Flying Jalapenos with their break-dancing show, Chebe Suleman of Teaching Drums, an African drum school and Preston Reed, acoustic guitar virtuoso. The lively panel debate, chaired by self-confessed soul fan and media commentator Stuart Cosgrove, considered the themes, ‘Where is Scotland's Cultural Soul in the Digital Age?’ and ‘What do you know about MOBO?’

Scott Taylor, Chief Executive, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau said:  “The dynamic and stimulating Glasgow. Music. Now. event brings into sharp focus Glasgow’s creative industries and thriving music scene. The excitement of the live performances, debates and demonstrations perfectly complemented the MOBO Award celebrations at the SECC.”

Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer, EventScotland added: “Scotland’s standing as a leading events destination has been underscored by securing the MOBO Awards for Glasgow. Bringing such a high profile and influential music awards ceremony to Scotland is testament to the country’s proven track record in delivering world class events.”

Glasgow. Music. Now. also consolidated the significance of the Clyde Waterfront and its futuristic landscape in helping the economic growth of the creative industries, including broadcast, television production, games, music and design.

Notes to Editors

• The MOBO Awards have been secured for Scotland and for Glasgow through a partnership of EventScotland, the national events agency, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise.
• It is anticipated that the awards will generate in excess of £1 million economic impact for Scotland and will attract thousands of music fans to the city.

Issued on behalf of Scottish Enterprise
Arvind Salwan
New Media Corp
07854 887719; 0141 331 4474
arvind@newmediacorp.co.uk