When the last band has left the stage, SPOT Festival doesn’t just close down and wait for next year. Instead, the SPOT On Denmark initiative takes over until the next festival in Århus.

SPOT On Denmark is organized by Music Export Denmark (MXD) in collaboration with ROSA – the Danish Rock Council. Most of the acts playing at the showcases are chosen during the SPOT Festival in Århus – not by SPOT On Denmark, but by international bookers, agents, managers etc. Leader of MXD Thomas Rohde explains:

 - We’re not oracles, and it’s not our job to tell the international representatives what is right for their markets. Instead we listen to them and let them decide who should play on their own home ground. They have a much better basis for assessing which bands have a chance in their region. This gives them a sense of ownership – which also means that they won’t just stand around passively during the SPOT On Denmark showcases.

SPOT On Denmark was initiated in 2007. Since last year’s festival there have been showcases in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and Austria.

I Got You On Tape - soon to release their album in the Benelux countries

I Got You On Tape signed in Brussels
When SPOT On Denmark visited Brussels in November 2009, Filip De Groote was there. He is a manager with the large independent record label PIAS. After the concert, he signed Danish indie rockers I Got You On Tape.

 - I didn’t manage to catch them at SPOT Festival, because I was busy with a network meeting. But when I saw them at SPOT On Denmark, I realized they have a big potential, so I signed them. I believe SPOT On Denmark gives Danish bands a realistic chance, because you know what you’re going to hear beforehand. That way you can prepare yourself. At the same time it gives you the impression that Denmark stands behind its bands and supports them.

De Groote mentions how at similar arrangements, he has felt like he was “in a swimming pool with 100 different bands”. As a contrast, he appreciates SPOT On Denmark for presenting just three or four carefully selected acts.

Lucy Love - signed with Stage-Mania booking after playing at SPOT On Denmark. Photo: Kettil Myrstrand

Belgian deal for Lucy Love
Booking agent Franky Roels from the Belgian agency Stage-Mania has been a member of the SPOT On Denmark jury several times. He says that SPOT On Denmark has opened his eyes to Danish music.

 - I used to think of Danish music as a bit hysterical and full of weird sounds – but through Spot On Denmark, I discovered that there are also a lot of really good bands like Choir of Young Believers and Lucy Love.
 Franky Roels decided to book Lucy Love after getting her CD at SPOT Festival – and playing it eight times in his car on the way home to Belgium.

There has to be talent
Lately Thomas Rohde has heard several people refer to Denmark as “the new Iceland” in terms of the music scene. And since he became leader of MXD in 2008, he has noticed a steadily growing interest in Danish music.

 - If the talent wasn’t there, all our work with SPOT On Denmark would be futile. But there is a lot of talented new music coming out of Denmark, and there is massive international interest in it, says Thomas Rohde.

Ten results of SPOT On Denmark since last year’s festival:

Since SPOT Festival 2009, SPOT On Denmark has arranged showcases in Montreux, Brussels, Hamburg and Vienna. Here are ten examples from the list of results:

- Kiss Kiss Kiss got in touch with several record companies. At the moment, they are negotiating the terms for a release outside of their album outside Denmark. They were also featured on the Austrian indie chart.

- Lucy Love were booked for festivals in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. She was also offered a deal with N.E.W.S. Distribution and signed with Stage-Mania Booking.

- I Got You On Tape signed with the label PIAS, which is planning to release their album in the Benelux countries in April. The also signed with Nada Booking.

- When Saints Go Machine have been negotiating with several labels, and their debut album is expected to be released in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Besides, they made it to a placement as no. 13 on the Austrian DJ-chart.

- The Asteroids Galaxy Tour signed a booking contract in Switzerland and played two concerts there in the winter of 2009.

- Band Ane signed a distribution deal with the label PIAS.

- Fagget Fairys were booked for several live shows and were mentioned in Belgian metroXpress. They are especially popular in the French-speaking part of Belgium.

- Kiss Kiss Kiss, Ginger Ninja and When Saints Go Machine all played at the first SPOT On Denmark showcase in Vienna. The event received massive attention in the press, and all three bands entered the Top 30 chart on music channel GoTV and stayed there for six weeks.

- Cody signed with the record label PIAS.

- Are We Brothers? signed a French record deal.