Festivals in Focus Symposium
Eastside Jazz Club, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
200 Jennens Road, B4 7XR
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Festivals in Focus Symposium
09:30 - 10:00: Coffee/Tea
10:00 - 10:30: Welcome - Prof Nick Gebhardt (BCU) and opening presentation: Prof George McKay (UEA), "20 years of festivals research in the UK"
10:45 - 11:45: Panel 1: Access
Heather Spencer (Manchester Jazz Festival/Jazz North), Juliet Kennedy (Brick Lane Jazz Festival), Kevin Le Gendre (BBC, Jazzwise, author), Dr Chris Anderton (Southampton Solent Uni) and Dr Louise Platt (MMU).
A discussion of initiatives, challenges, issues from any perspective about access, from how audiences find out about and engage with festivals to issues of programming; how festivals are providing physical access, sensory considerations, and resources for people with disabilities, often with direct input from affected communities.
Chair: Prof Nick Gebhardt (BCU)
11:45 - 12:00: Refreshments break
12:00 - 13:00: Panel 2: Equity
Heather Spencer (Manchester Jazz Festival/Jazz North), Juliet Kennedy (Brick Lane Jazz Festival), Kevin Le Gendre (journalist and author), Dr Chris Anderton (Southampton Solent Uni) and Dr Louise Platt (MMU).
A discussion of initiatives to ensure a diversity of voices, artists, and perspectives are central, not just on the periphery; ensuring fair pay, reasonable terms, and opportunities for emerging artists, challenging exploitative pay models; creating safe spaces, codes of conduct, and fostering festival cultures where everyone feels respected.
Chair: Prof George McKay (UEA)
Running time approx. three hours.
Eastside Jazz Festival 2026
Events include:
Chris Potter with the Pablo Held Trio
Eastside Jazz Festival
Fri 13 Feb 2026 - 12pm