By Alan Wilson, Rocktalk writer

GONORTH 2008, Scotland’s biggest annual showcase festival for young bands, which takes place in Dundee in June, was officially launched last night.

A reception was held at Fat Sams Live, where representatives from the music industry throughout the UK were given a taste of what’s in store for visitors to GoNorth in the City of Discovery on June 5 and 6.

Delegates were entertained by one of Dundee’s top young bands, Luva Anna, who played an acoustic set, giving a glimpse of the strength of the talent in the city and hoping to be one of the dozens of young unsigned bands who will be given the chance to showcase to the music industry, the media and live audiences.

Since its inception in Aberdeen in 2001, GoNorth has become one of the most exciting events in Scotland’s musical calendar.

Fringe events will be taking place in the city for the week beginning June 1, and GoNorth will also have a stage for unsigned bands at Rockness in Inverness on June 7 and 8.

Attracting the GoNorth event sees Dundee build on its burgeoning reputation as a musical hot spot.

Full details of the programme will be announced within the next few months, but early highlights will include:

*More than 50 of the finest unsigned bands/musicians from the UK and other parts of the world.

*Workshops focused on the impact of the digital revolution taking place in music and entertainment—especially relevant given Dundee’s experience of this through the growth of the games industry and its creative media.

Venues will include Fat Sams, Vision, The Doghouse, No. 25 and DCA.

Lord Provost John Letford, chairman of the City of Discovery Campaign, which is supporting the event, said, “This is another fantastic event for Dundee and one which further enhances the city’s growing reputation as a musical, cultural and artistic centre of excellence.”

Event organiser Shaun Arnold of GoEvents said, “The city has some amazing talent and, when you combine this with some great venues and enthusiastic audiences, this should be a GoNorth to be remembered.”

Iain Hamilton of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, who support the event, said, “With the reputation for music and creative industries that Dundee already has, I am sure GoNorth will attract the industry delegates who can create opportunities for Scottish artistes.”

One person also at the launch who was keenly anticipating the event is award-winning music industry PR Murray Chalmers of EMI, a Dundonian who is highly regarded in the business.

He said, “It’s great that the city’s music scene is now so strong that Dundee can comfortably host GoNorth.

“It’s exciting coming back to Dundee and seeing a burgeoning music scene that has grown largely outwith the glare of the national media. You can feel not only the thrill of discovering new bands but also the strong sense of community that is making the Dundee music scene so focused and increasingly successful.

“Hopefully GoNorth can help elevate the profile of the musicians and the city, a place which feels more and more like a brilliant, diverse hub for the arts.”

The GoNorth website is being launched tomorrow. Bands/musicians who would like to appear at the showcases can register online. Bands will be selected by a panel of experts early in March.