Page 79 - Results 2015: AC/E Programme for the Internationalization of Spanish Culture

MUSIcArtiClE79/music programme planners abroad to open up to them, inviting them other countries, and so build up their fan base. “We follow up the groups that perform here in Monkey Week,” says Carreto. “ anks to that, we know that Carter Smith, a professionalin charge of licensing music for lm and videogames soundtracks, managed to get a song by Guadalupe Plata to be used in the TV series Shameless. We love to get this kind of feedback.” e AC/E Programme for the Internationalisation of Spanish Culture (PICE) is especially important in that regard, as its travelling aid scheme facilitates the attendance of cutting-edge international programme planners. “ e AC/E initiative is really great,” says the festival co-director: “ is type of inverted mission, by which professionals cometo us here, has a number of advantages. Most of all, they get to see the artists in their natural, home environment. And that is much better than making a special expedition with a whole bunch of artists, which means a huge upheaval and, of course, a lot of expense. Also, by doing it here, there are a lot of synergies and its easier to establish both personal relations and deeper-rooted contacts without so many protocols getting in the way.”Among other artists, AC/E has helped bring to Monkey Week gures from three of the world’s most prestigious festivals: Stacey Wilhelm from South by Southwest; Julien Bertrand Catala, CEO of Super Paris and Andrés Sanchez from ViveLatino. “ e selection of international programme planners that we have, thanks to PICE, is really attractive for the bands and for Spanish companies,” says Carreto: “ ey have been chosen not only to open the doors of their event and surroundings to you but also, from there, to open up new markets for the bands.” ose who come to Monkey Week normally come back again, says Carreto. “Industry professionals see it as a very di erent type of trade fair as it puts a lot of focus on the live music experience, as opposed to other fairs that concentrate more on new music technologies and platforms,” reckons Carreto. “ ose who attend applaud the festival’s role as a showcase, carried out with such intensity for three days throughout a city like Puerto de Santa Maria, rather than in some isolated and enclosed venue in the city.”