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Awards and Events in association withCreative Circle
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UMG Hosts ‘Ignite’, a New Developing Artist Showcase for Global Talent in Sydney

31/03/2023
Publication
London, UK
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Event Featured Stephen Sanchez - Mercury/Republic, D4vd - Darkroom/Interscope and Dylan - Polydor


Last night UNIVERSAL MUSIC AUSTRALIA, a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment brought together local industry, international artists, and label executives for IGNITE, UMG’s first international artist showcase in three years, with the IGNITE showcase series set to roll out across the globe in the coming months and years.

The event, host by media personality Bridget Hustwaite, spotlighted three of Universal Music Group’s global developing artist priorities – Stephen Sanchez, d4vd, and Dylan, all gracing the stage in Sydney for the first time. These artists were selected in partnership with UMG’s Senior Vice President, Global Artist Development, JJ Corsini.

Speaking on the event, Corsini said, “The idea behind this showcase is really simple, to introduce our developing priorities to this market as soon as possible. The work these three artists are doing on the ground this week will set them up for years to come. This event is a product of our commitment to breaking exciting new artists around the world and is a reflection of how important we feel early support from the Australian marketing is for development. These three artists are here because we are hyper focused on breaking them around the world.

They’re invested in Australia and Australia is invested in them. This is the beginning of an exciting program of global IGNITE events, as we look to markets around the world to look to reintroduce UMG’s groundbreaking global talent to new audiences around the world.”

Sean Warner, President + CEO, Universal Music Australia & New Zealand said: “Our number one goal at UMG is to discover, develop and amplify artistry, creativity, and innovation, and what we all experienced last night epitomises exactly that. Three incredible artists, magnificent songwriting, innovation, and individuality at its purest. D4vd, Stephen Sanchez and Dylan are all on a meteoric, upwards trajectory and to embrace and enjoy them in a room with 200 people is not something you will see again. These are bone fide superstars in the making and our mission, shoulder to shoulder with all our partners, is to break them in ANZ and around the world and help make them household names”

The event was hosted at Beta Events, a two-level venue in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. Once the performances concluded, guests had the opportunity to meet and mingle with the artists in the specially built after party space comprising of interactive video walls, merch & vinyl store and an Arcade Alley.

With a dusty baritone as bright as an eternally lit jukebox and tattooed fingers around the fretboard of a rare guitar, STEPHEN SANCHEZ tunes into longing and love with the acuity of a tried-and-tested troubadour – yet he’s only 20 years old. Transcending eras, he writes the kind of songs that can play just as well from your parent’s vintage record player as they could from the main stages of festivals a la Bonnaroo. His breakout “Until I Found You” introduced a spirited signature style which has hit over 1 billion global streams and the Top 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.

D4vd has emerged as a visionary artist only one year after he began writing and recording heart-piercing tracks alone in his sister’s closet in Houston, Texas, gaining a now-eclectic taste in rap and indie music from internet wormholes and fan-made Fortnite videos on YouTube. The 18-year-old has released a smattering of singles touching everything  from indie-alternative to pop to R&B, scoring a breakout hit in Summer 2022 with the melancholic indie rock song “Romantic Homicide”, whose brutally honest lyrics about heartbreak and resentment have connected with hundreds of thousands of listeners. His slow-building beach ballad, “Here With Me” also climbed the charts, establishing d4vd as a genre-defying newcomer.

22-year-old London based singer, songwriter and musician DYLAN might only be at the beginning of her journey as one of the UK’s most exciting pop talents, but she’s already creating big statements – her music a balance of pop perfection and classic stadium rocker means this star is destined for pop glory. Dylan recently finished her SOLD OUT headline tour across UK & Europe, supported Ed Sheeran at Wembley and has a confirmed US run with him in May.

In attendance from the global business were, JJ Corsini, Senior VP global artist development, Universal Music global marketing; Brian Sutnick, Senior VP global marketing for Republic Records, Justin Lubliner, CEO- Darkroom Records and Noelle Ritchey, marketing manager, Universal Music global marketing. 

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