The Transit project, which is funded by Arts Council England, seeks to establish a committed network of promoters on a national scale, who will work towards increasing the amount of exposure given to emerging musical talent throughout England.

In essence, the country is divided into 7 geographical ‘Zones’, with 3 promoters working within a different town or city in each zone. Generator North East, the Popular Music Development Agency coordinate this project, providing all of the full colour promotional materials for the shows and a £200 financial subsidy to each of the 21 live music promoters involved. This assists the promoters in covering performance fees, production costs, additional advertising, box office staff and other overheads associated with arranging a gig. This subsidy also allows promoters to be more ambitious than they may currently have the confidence for.

Furthermore, Generator run a series of promoter workshops at various events throughout the year that focus on specific areas of expertise that will assist the promoters in their activities and duties. Promoters from each area are carefully selected and are usually already involved in promoting live music in some capacity prior to being approached by Generator.

The selected promoters are responsible for selecting the bands in close consultation with other promoters on the circuit and corresponding with the bands over stage and sound check times, access times to the venues, fees and contracts. This is accompanied by distributing all promotional materials and producing final financial reports taking into account all expenditure and ticket income, documented by receipts. The promoters are also responsible for corresponding with the venue and dealing with all aspects related to the venue such as hire arrangements, ticketing, box office and security staff and curfew.

The coordinators at Generator provide support by assisting promoters to produce budgets for each individual gig where necessary and dealing with all aspects of national marketing and media. Raising the profile of the scheme through National partnerships and seeking support from recognised organisations and advocating the scheme for future funding to be secured supplement this.

The scheme consists of three ‘Rounds’ of tours a year, commencing in October / November and continuing through to January / February and then April / May. New promoters are typically recruited every two years. Bands that have played on the Transit network in the past include ‘The Sunshine Underground’ (from Leeds, now signed to City Rockers) ’65 Days of Static’ (From Sheffield, signed to Monotreme records) and ‘Flamingo 50’ (Liverpool, Keith Records).

Contacts and further information regarding ‘Transit’ and all of the artists and promoters currently involved in the separate ‘Zones’ sections and the links on this website.

To find out more about the various projects carried out by Generator North East, please investigate www.generator.org.uk and www.myspace.com/generatoruk To subscribe to our bi-monthly newsletter and magazine for FREE, please send a mail to mail@generator.org.uk

Contact Transit Project Coordinator Paul Reed on (0191) 245 00 99 (ext 4) and paul@generator.org.uk