Edith Bowman to host podcast on the future of the industry, from festivals to production

Broadcaster Edith Bowman is hosting a new 10-part podcast series in which pioneers in music discuss a range of topics facing the industry. Play Next, sponsored by BMW, will also provide a platform for new young artists.

Industry topics under discussion include the fate of festivals in a post COVID‑19 era, the role of technology in music production and where it goes next, and the power of music in driving social change.

The first episode drops August 12. In it, Bowman is joined by Gilles Peterson, DJ and founder of the Worldwide Festival in France, which should have celebrated its 15th edition in 2020. 

Episode two features Bowman in conversation with Hans Zimmer. With AI tools (Artificial Intelligence) gaining traction, the legendary film music composer will share his views on what this means for music production, and whether machines can ever be as creative as humans.

“The music industry is an ever evolving machine and I’m looking forward to speaking to a fascinating collection of people at the top of their game to find out where we go from here,” says Bowman. “But I’m particularly thrilled to be celebrating new music. It’s been exhilarating to explore and discover some wonderful bands and artists who are doing really fantastic things.”

“Music plays such an important role in our lives, from attending live events to simply listening in your car, it’s hard to imagine where we would be without it,” says Michelle Roberts, Marketing Director at BMW UK. “This podcast talks to innovators in this world, and also shines a light on the next generation of artists. We felt this was particularly important in 2020, as many of these artists haven’t had a platform this year. The Play Next partnership is an extension of BMW’s support for music. Like all other music fans, we might have had to cancel our festival plans this year, but we’re proud to bring this podcast to the listener.”

 The BMW Play Next podcast will be available on all major streaming platforms.