Welcome
ID:09, the second annual celebration of independent music, is about shining a spotlight on the exciting and diverse musical talent of the independent sector, a sector first home to artists including The Beatles, Elvis and Coldplay and still home to the likes of Radiohead, Vampire Weekend, Arctic Monkeys and Bjork, plus thousands of rising stars.
After the unprecedented public excitement surrounding the occasion last year, Independents Day 2009 will actually be a full week of celebrations, starting from July 4th. There will be live gigs, television specials and much more, as music lovers everywhere are encouraged to show their support for independent music.
The focus of celebrations will be a series of gigs at London’s prestigious ICA venue between the 6th and 10th July. The events will bring together some of the UK’s most successful independent labels, with a different label curating each night, showcasing some of their finest acts. In addition to the label nights, one evening is being curated by the legendary independent record store, Rough Trade East. The opening nights (Monday and Tuesday) will be introduced by Radio 1’s Huw Stephens.
On this site you can find out more about the live gigs and the links for booking tickets, as well as keep up to date on all of the other activity surrounding ID:09.
Get involved in ID:09 and show your support for independent music!
News
WE7.COM Loves Independent Music!
8th July 09
We7.com, one of the UK's favourite online music destinations, is showing strong support for Independents Day 2009 with a number of special playlists and features.
The site's users can currently enjoy an Independents Day playlist featuring the best new music on indie labels large and small. Including 20 tracks from all musical genres, the playlist showcases the phenomenal talent of the sector and tomorrow's stars. You can check out the playlist now, and discover some fantastic new independent music, here.
The We7 team have also compiled a number of label playlists, showcasing music from a selection of top independent labels, including XL Recordings, 4AD, Rough Trade and Stones Throw Records - check them out here.
The site is also currently featuring 25 independent albums on the homepage, to ensure We7 users get to enjoy as much independent music as possible.
We7's support of Independents Day 09 has been widely reported on in the music press, with articles in Music Week, Brand Republic and Music Ally in recent days.
Xbox 360 talk exclusively to newly independent Placebo
3rd July 09
Xbox 360 have teamed up with Placebo, following their first independent release, to give Xbox LIVE community members the chance to interview the band and win tickets to their gig at The Roundhouse on July 14th. Video footage of the Placebo interview will be featured on Xbox LIVE in coming weeks.
Questions are being taken from Saturday 4th July - if you're a Placebo fan and an Xbox LIVE user, now's your chance to get those burning questions answered by Brian and the boys!
XFM's John Kennedy gives away Independents Day gig tickets
3rd July 09
Always strong champions of the independent music sector, new music gurus and XFM DJs Jon Hillcock and Jon Kennedy are both supporting Independents Day 2009.
Jon Hillcock will be playing independent tunes and marking the occasion on his Sunday 5th July New Noise show, and John Kennedy will be giving away tickets to the Independents Day gigs at the ICA, London, on his X-Posure show from 10pm on Monday 6th July.
Drowned In Sound present their own Independents Day playlist
3rd July 09
Drowned In Sound, the respected hub of independent music news and reviews, are celebrating ID09 with a specially designed 'Greatest Independent Hits of the Noughties' Spotify playlist. Every Friday, Drowned in Sound produce a 'Spotifriday' playlist that represents the music that has been covered by the website that week. You can find the playlist here.
Spotify and Sharemyplaylists.com team up to celebrate independent music
3rd July 09
Spotify and the playlist sharing site ShareMyPlaylists.com have teamed up to produce a number of independent focused playlists to mark ID09.
Compilations dedicated to independent labels such as Rough Trade and XL Recordings are available on the site, as well as lists featuring classic independent tracks and the newest up and coming artists to hit the scene. Check them out here.
Spotify has had a strong focus on independent music since day one and are very excited to help promote the independent music scene in Europe. Visit the Spotify Blog for more information - why not make and share your own Independents Day playlist? Which independent tracks push your buttons?
BBC 6 Music: All indies, all day
26th June 09
They loved it so much last year that they are celebrating independent record labels all over again on 4th July.
6 Music will be playing independent music ALL DAY on Saturday 4th July, with a number of interviews with and features on independent labels and artists.
They will be kicking off with Andrew Collins at 9am who'll be presenting a special show looking at independent music down the ages. Including guests, label focuses and catching up with record shops around the world who will be celebrating the day in their own way.
Liz Kershaw has a special one off All Killer No Filler.
Lauren Laverne will have a show full of independent music, from Stax to 4AD. Plus indie darlings White Denim drop by to talk about being on an indie label while the industry goes through turbulent times.
Visit www.bbc.co.uk/6music/events/indie for more information.
MTV2 to air independent label video specials in celebration of Independents Day
26th June 09
From 11pm on Saturday 4th July, MTV2 will broadcast 9 video specials in honour of Independents Day, the global celebration of independent music.
The 30 minute video specials, called "MTV2 Loves..." will each focus on a different iconic independent label, including Rough Trade, Domino, XL, Creation, Wichita, Factory, Warp, Beggars and Moshi Moshi.
So tune in to MTV2 from 11pm on Saturday 4th July and catch back to back videos from some of the best independent labels and greatest artists of this generation.
