Britain Celebrates its GREAT Music With a Special Week

British artists now represent almost 13 percent of all global music sales, accounting for one in eight of all artist albums sold. A DVD compilation which celebrates the most iconic British live music acts through history is being released to mark the start of the week. The compilation spans three decades of unforgettable live moments; film footage and audio of legendary performances from David Bowie’s performance of Ziggy Stardust at Hammersmith in 1973, to Radiohead’s 1997 performance of Karma Police at Glastonbury, right through to 2011 when Adele performed Someone Like You at The BRIT Awards. All profits from sales of the DVD will go to Save The Children.

Music is GREAT Week will involve seven days of musical celebration and will be an opportunity for artists, bands and music fans to pay tribute to British music - past, present and future - through a number of exciting events and appearances. Details will be announced in collaboration with Music is GREAT partners, and via Facebook (www.facebook.com/MusicisGREATBritain).

Music is GREAT Week will be the platform for international fans and critics to debate what's GREAT about British music and the amazing experiences that go with it: Who is your favorite British band or artist? Whose gig might you camp out at the night before in order to attend? Which great British musical venue or destination would you most like to visit?

Talking about music in Great Britain, Jessie J says, “I’m so proud of being British, my accent says it all. I think it’s very important to be proud of where you’re from, and I don’t think anywhere is like the UK. I think music is a perfect way to celebrate and we make it very well.”

Patricia Yates, Director of Strategy & Communications at VisitBritain says, “We know that British music reaches people all over the world, with thousands of people inspired to come and visit the birthplaces and hometowns of their musical legends, while live music contributes around £1 billion to our visitor economy. This summer will see the best ever program of world class concerts and festivals, including all the London 2012 Festival and Diamond Jubilee celebrations, making it a fantastic time to celebrate British music.”

The Music is GREAT DVD will be available digitally from May 14 from iTunes and Amazon.