a creative team of curators and experienced arts professionals with extensive knowledge of the global showcasing landscape.
Hello, we’re British Underground, and since 2000, we’ve produced music, tech and arts showcases for international industry audiences.
We are a creative team of curators and experienced arts professionals with extensive knowledge of the global showcasing landscape, creating transformational opportunities for UK musicians, artists and producers by connecting them to international creative communities and industry networks.
Over the years, our curiosity, DIY attitude and reputation for delivering world-class events has seen BU showcasing UK talent on platforms like SXSW in Austin, Texas to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Our support has helped emerging musicians in the thriving jazz, metal and folk scenes and introduced acts like Amy Winehouse, Stormzy and Ezra Collective to the USA and beyond.
Fast-forward to today and our spirit remains the same. We’ve developed Future Art and Culture with Arts Council England, an incredible art and technology showcasing programme working with cutting edge artists in immersive technologies such as XR, VR, AR and AI.
Woven into our music and tech projects is the Connect programme, an initiative providing professional development, event orientation and financial support for those seeking to gain access to International Showcasing Events.
We help UK delegates navigate and utilise the opportunities offered at important international industry events, giving independent artists, organisations and industry professionals the opportunity for creative development, international networking, collaboration and partnership building.
Our service is evergreen, genuinely helping industry professionals, including artists, get closer to future international success, find new global networks and gain a deeper understanding of the ever-evolving music and arts world.
Karma Sheen, SXSW Austin 2026 Official Showcase
Partners
British Underground is an Arts Council England NPO
and CONTRIBUTOR TO THE International Showcase Fund.
Music
Our music showcasing programme is produced across the annual calendar and includes stage productions, artist development sessions and industry networking at Folk Alliance International (Chicago, Kansas City, Montreal, New Orleans), SXSW (Austin, London), Americanafest (Nashville), Jazzahead! (Germany) and WOMEX/HORIZONS (Europe).
Future Art and Culture
In 2017 we founded the art and technology showcasing programme Future Art and Culture with funding from
Arts Council England and additional support from British Council.
This unique initiative highlights leading art, tech and immersive projects through exhibitions, panel discussions, partnerships and networking events. Our FAC alumni includes award-winning artists Sarah Ticho, Adam Cole and Karen Palmer and immersive artists Marshmallow Laser Feast and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Philhamornia Orchestera, SXSW, 2017
MEET THE TEAM
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CEO
Crispin Parry is the Chief Executive and Creative Director of British Underground. Working with major global events from SXSW to the Olympic Games and across film, music and technology he is recognised as a sector innovator in the promotion of international creativity.
At a gig, where are we most likely to find you?
Playing the drums.
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Senior Associate Producer
One of the many projects Dan manages is British Underground's Connect Programme, an initiative providing professional development, event orientation and financial support for those seeking to gain access to International Showcasing Events.
In partnership with the award-winning B3 Media, Dan and British Underground have developed Future Art and Culture Connect, a scheme that supports emerging talent from those currently underrepresented in the creative tech sector with funding, soft skills enhancement, and direct access to SXSW Interactive in Austin, Texas.At a gig, where are we most likely to find you?
In the Green Room asking the band awkward questions and taking blurry portraits.
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Producer, Digital comms
Almass is a senior event producer, visual artist and DJ. At British Underground, Almass produces live showcases at SXSW Austin, AMERICANAFEST, WOMEX and Folk Alliance International.
At a gig, where are we most likely to find you?
At the back taking in the atmosphere or at the DJ booth in the thick of it. No in between.
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