Brussels, 30^th April 2025.

IMPALA is proud to announce the launch of its new Artist Camp project, co-funded by the European Union as part of IMPALA’s 2025–2028 network programme.

Starting in 2025, IMPALA and its member associations will organise an Artist Camp each year, each based on a unique partnership between two different countries within the IMPALA membership. Each camp will bring together at least two artists — one from each country — working collaboratively for up to a week. Over the course of the project, a total of eight countries will participate, with each camp aiming to highlight the diversity, innovation, and engagement of Europe’s independent music sector.

Artists will be proposed through their national associations, with the project also being the opportunity to focus on artists associated with IMPALA’s 100 Artists to Watch in partnership with YouTube., while seeking a strong balance in terms of gender, country, genre, and other equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) factors, along with a commitment to sustainability goals.

The Artist Camps are designed to promote:

• Boost fan awareness of emerging artists from independent record labels through public-facing activities wherever possible.
• Promote cross-border cooperation and creative collaboration between artists and music professionals across Europe.
• Strengthen audience engagement with new talent from the independent sector.
• Showcase the diversity, societal value, and innovation of Europe’s independent music community.
• Support the development of a more inclusive, sustainable, and interconnected music sector through targeted artist selection and project promotion.

Each Artist Camp will not only strengthen ties between two different music markets but also offer artists a platform and community to boost their visibility, share creative ideas, and reach new audiences across borders.

Rory Brown, IMPALA PR and Projects Lead, commented: “IMPALA’s Artist Camps are about building bridges between countries, genres, and communities. Through these new partnerships, we aim to celebrate Europe’s rich music diversity and create opportunities for emerging independent talent to collaborate, learn, and inspire each other across borders. We are proud to launch this project with the support of the European Union and our fantastic network of members.”

Stay connected for more news about participating countries, selected artists, and the exciting collaborations ahead.

About IMPALA

IMPALA was established in 2000 and now represents over 6000 independent music companies in Europe. 99% of Europe’s music companies are small, micro and medium businesses and self-releasing artists. Known as the independents, they are world leaders in terms of innovation and discovering new music and artists – they produce more than 80% of all new releases and account for 80% of the sector’s jobs. IMPALA’s mission is to grow the independent music sector sustainably, return more value to artists, promote diversity and entrepreneurship, improve political access, inspire change, and increase access to finance. IMPALA works on a range of key issues for its members and started a new co-funded work programme as an EU cultural network in 2025. IMPALA runs various award schemes and has a programme aimed at businesses who want to develop a strategic relationship with the European independent sector – Friends of IMPALA