Scotland’s leading showcase event Go North, is to continue its collaboration with music-industry bible Music Week, it was announced on Tuesday (March 7 2006).

The move will mean that the magazine will provide both editorial support and produce a CD, featuring tacks by acts performing at the two day music extravaganza, which takes place in Aberdeen on May 10-11. The songs will be selected by Music Week A&R editor, Stuart Clarke and the CD will accompany the issue dated April 29.

Music Week editor Martin Talbot, welcomes the continued collaboration.

“We have been involved with Go North from the beginning and it has always been a vital connection to the vibrant music industry in the northern most reaches of the UK,” he says. “It has a community feel about which similar events do not have, you really feel you are in the heart of the local industry.”

And he is in no doubt about the advantages of having the lion’s share of the gigs in venues on the city’s tiny Belmont Street.

“The beauty of Go North is just how close the venues are. Lots of other events are now trying to emulate this, but none of them quite manage it. At Go North you can literally fall out of one venue and into another!”

For Go North organiser, Shaun Arnold, there is no doubt about the significance of the partnership.

“Music Week is read throughout the industry and its support helps attract a lot of labels based outside Scotland,” he says. “The CD is also a fantastic platform for acts performing at Go North, and enables those selected to reach a very wide audience within the business.”

And he is particularly pleased that this year’s Go North will be attended for the first time by Music Week A&R editor Stuart Clarke.

“Stuart was appointed shortly after last year’s event, so it will be great to welcome him to Go North and show him what an amazing breeding ground for talent the North of Scotland is,” he says.