About Born To Be Wide

Born To Be Wide started life in 2004 as an informal social night to bring together those involved in the Scottish music scene and soon began attracting interest throughout the UK, thanks to its policy of inviting figures from the arts to come and play their favourite records [everything was allowed except The Smiths/Morrissey and Joy Division].  In addition to many of Scotland’s best-known musicians and industry figures, DJs have included the president of MTV Europe, the German Consul General, footballer Pat Nevin and author Irvine Welsh. 

Since April 2008 the company has hosted social evenings, which begin with a discussion panel featuring key figures from the music industry. Subjects covered include: Releasing Music, Promoting Gigs, A&R, Festivals, PR, Record Sleeve Design, Music Tourism, Music Photography, Management, Booking Agents and Stage Craft,  as well as a Norwegian night and a German special.

Two years later Born To Be Wide launched Wide Days, an annual two-day conference and showcase, which won Best Networking Event/Service at the Yearly Music Convention Awards in 2014 and has served as a springboard for numerous acts including Honeyblood, PAWS, Kathryn Joseph and Fathersoon.

In 2013 the company founded Off The Record, a series of daytime events for young musicians and those who want to work in the industry. It is open to anyone aged 14-25, and is designed to equip young people with music business knowledge, information and skills to help them forge a career in music.

In addition to its own promotions, Born To Be Wide has also organised panels and Q&As for theScottish Parliament's Festival Of Politics, the Edinburgh International Book Festival's Jura Unbound programme, Heart Of Midlothian FC’s Big Hearts Community Trust, the Depot Recording Studio and creative industries convention, goNorth.

Moreover, its numerous events have included partnerships with the following organisations, companies and educational institutions: BPI, MU, PPL, ERA, AIM, MPA, CC Skills, Creative Scotland, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh College, Perth College, Spotify, EmuBands, Eventbrite, the Orchard, the Scottish Music Industry Association, the Scottish Parliament, Creative Edinburgh, the Academy of Music & Sound, Music Export Norway and the German Consulate.