Originating in 2014 as a scheme to provide direct financial support to independent acts, MEGS has allowed acts to use high-quality marketing and promotional compaigns abroad, in an attempt to attract new fans overseas, create bigger touring opportunities and generate revenue. These outcomes broaden the UK’s music export potential, giving UK artists access to global markets, fine-tuning the UK music industry with fresh talent to revitalise the British economy.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy spoke about the benefits of MEGS, stating: “The Music Export Growth Scheme has helped so many of our talented homegrown artists launch their careers internationally. As part of our Plan for Change, we are supporting our creative industries to reach their full potential including through this latest round of funding, which will help the next generation of artists to tour abroad, market themselves to new audiences and showcase the best of British culture and creativity to the world.”

British music is going global!

We’re thrilled to announce the 58 recipients of funding from Round 23 of the Music Export Growth Scheme! In partnership with @DCMS and @biztradegovuk

Can you see your favourite artist?

Read more about MEGS here: https://t.co/1lIJoSjMcBpic.twitter.com/T4mFoYP89w

— BPI (@bpi_music) March 8, 2025

Supporting thousands of musical acts across all genres since it’s ascension, MEGS has assisted in the creation of international careers of Jungle, Ezra Collective, Dave, beabadoobee and so many more.

Acts apply for grants ranging from £5,000 to £50,000 to facilitate efforts to launch their career’s overseas.

The news of this year’s scheme not long follows its negative attention in the media after Irish hip-hop trio KNEECAP took the UK government to court, after their application for the grant in 2023 was declined early last year. The group won the legal battle, on the grounds of discrimination, which alerted to the dangers of the scheme being hyper-politicised as it became apparent the then-Conservative government opposed KNEECAP’s application based on their fervent pro-Ireland stance, highly provocative and politically-charged musical content.

The Irish band Kneecap have won a discrimination case against the UK government.

The trio launched legal action after the former business secretary Kemi Badenoch withdrew their arts grant.

Kneecap claimed this discriminated against them because of their political opinions. pic.twitter.com/QAh9ydNNcY

— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) November 29, 2024

This year’s £1.6 million is the most the scheme has ever given away to its participants, this comes at a time where the government are focusing on their upcoming Industrial Strategy to promote growth in the UK’s creative industries. The sector reportedly employs more than 2.4 million people and is worth almost £125 billion to the UK economy.

When speaking on the UK Creative Industries Sector Gareth Thomas, Minister for Exports and Small Businesses, said: “The UK has always led the way with its world-renowned musical acts, and this funding is vital to supporting smaller music companies to seize opportunities abroad. Not only will this help shine a spotlight on the best of British talent globally, but it will drive exports aboard, amplifying growth at home in the UK.”

This year’s eclectic mix of beneficiaries of the Music Growth Export Scheme include: Blossoms, Lambrini Girls, Matt Maltese, Nova Twins, Soft Play, Wunderhorse and more. You can find the full list here.

The ‘God’s Country’ performers, comprised of Lilly Macieira and Phoebe Lunny, will perform to thousands across a 19-date tour around the UK and Europe. Commencing in London at O2 Kentish Town Forum on November 19, the duo will head to Margate, Birmingham, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Leeds, Manchester and Norwich before heading to Europe for 10 more shows.

Due to phenomenal demand for their upcoming tour in the UK this April, the punk-rockers surprised fans with their forthcoming headline winter tour on Wednesday (February 5), where tickets for the shows went on sale on Friday (February 8) at 10am GMT.

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In an Instagram post announcing the tour, the pair wrote: “Here’s our next headline tour as the upcoming one is like 90% sold out worldwide.”

They continued: “Big venues. All for clout. No more baby sh*t this winter.”

Formed in 2020 in Brighton, Lambrini Girls have quickly established a name for themselves for their witty, unapologetic high-energy noise punk. Their debut album, ‘Who Let The Dogs Out’ released in January this year, which peaked at number 16 on the UK Official Album Chart, while also featuring on the Independent Albums Chart and the Official Vinyl Charts, respectively claiming the second and third spots. The LP featured their singles ‘Love’, ‘Company Culture’ and ‘Big Dick Energy’. Fuelled by socially-conscious lyricism within a spoken-word vocal delivery alongside fiercely powerful instrumentation, the duo can be likened to a 2020s rendition of Bikini Kill and Le Tigre.

In their own words, the pair described their sound as “a party for pissed off, gay, angry sluts”.

The duo will be booked and busy for 2025, not only will they be completing two headline tours, but they will also be supporting the Libertines on their headline show at Gunnersbury Park this August, along with completing a festival circuit performing at Reading, Leeds and Latitude.

Lambrini Girls are taking the noise punk scene by storm, their highly anticipated headline shows in winter will further showcase their vibrant artistry and undeniable talent.

Tickets and touring information can be found here.

‘Love’ begins with a grave, dropped-tuned introduction which gives way to sparser instrumentation in the verse, where the group’s trademark yelled vocals take over. The single addresses themes of emotional toxicity and misinterpretations of love, as the band describes in a press statement: “‘Love’ isn’t a critique on real affection—it’s about mistaking toxicity for love. Like a moth drawn to a flame, unable to discern between warmth that soothes and a fire that burns you, and getting pissed off about it.”

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“When love is learned through chaos, pain feels like connection. It’s the cycle of chasing affection through suffering and holding on because you’ve never known anything else. This song conveys something that isn’t love at all; in fact, it’s the very opposite,” the statement goes on to say. The track, along with the entire album, was produced by Daniel Fox of Gilla Band and mixed by Seth Manchester, and includes previously released singles ‘Big Dick Energy’ and ‘Company Culture’. 

Formed in 2020 in Brighton, the pair quickly became known for their biting wit and provocative takedowns. The band is composed of Phoebe Lunny (vocals/guitar) and Lilly Macieira (bass). Their 2023 EP, You’re Welcome, established their reputation for unapologetic, high-energy, spoken word noise punk.

The single “Company Culture” debuted in September 2024, critiquing workplace hierarchies with sharp humour and aggressive riffs. A month later, “Big Dick Energy” followed, blending sarcasm with fierce instrumentation to challenge toxic masculinity. Both tracks earned acclaim for their unfiltered lyrics and rebellious sound, with AltPress highlighting their raw, confrontational style. The duo have also gained recognition for their electric live performances, including appearances at major festivals like Glastonbury and Reading.

 

 

 

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Lambrini Girls are set to kick off a highly anticipated tour next week in London, with back-to-back shows at Alexandra Palace. Afterward, they will head to the U.S., performing in cities like Brooklyn before returning to Europe in February 2025. Their European leg includes stops in France, Italy, Germany, Sweden, and more, culminating in UK dates across spring 2025, including major venues in Bristol, Leeds, and London’s Electric Brixton.

To mark the album’s release, Lambrini Girls have announced a series of in-store performances across the UK and Europe. The shows will run from 10–16 January 2025, including stops in Liverpool, Nottingham, Bristol, London, Brighton, and Berlin. These events will coincide with the band’s headline tour, for which tickets can be found here.

Chief booker James Scarlett said of next summer’s festival, “Once again we’re bringing a line-up of 2000trees legends, including the likes of Boston Manor and The XCERTS, to open the festival on the Wednesday night for those of you lucky enough to get your hands on a four-day ticket. We’re also stoked to be welcoming so many bands like The Gaslight Anthem, Manchester Orchestra, Hot Mulligan and Better Lovers to the festival for the very first time. 2000trees 2024 is already shaping up to be something truly special – don’t sleep on it!” 

The festival is certainly aiming to capitalise on and further promote acts that have been grabbing the attention of fans and critics in recent months with groups such as Brighton’s Lambrini Girls, Southampton’s thrash/hardcore crossover band Grove Street and Glasgow’s Dead Pony all getting the opportunity to wow audiences with their exciting, pulse-raising live sets that have earned them much press coverage over the past year.

A stand out feature for 2024 will undoubtedly be Better Lovers-a supergroup made up of members of Dillinger Escape Plan and Everytime I Die. UK audiences will be eager to catch what will assuredly be a wildly chaotic and exhilarating performance from a band that promises true greatness in the years to come.

Founded in 2007, 2000trees festival was began by six friends who were tired of the mainstream festivals dominating the British Summer Time scene and yearning for a more underground celebration that featured bands that were less well known, up and coming or rooted in the alternative scene. The festival remains small, capping out at 15,000 attendees-giving it a close-knit atmosphere.

Tickets to the 2024 edition of the festival are on sale now and can be purchased here.