Glasgow.Music.Now.

GLASGOW.MUSIC.NOW. The name says it all really. For the first time in history, the MOBO awards are moving to Glasgow and it's a pretty big deal. To celebrate, a free, music-packed, thought provoking and potentially star studded event has been organised by Scottish Enterprise, Soma Recordings, Radio Magnetic and New Media Corps. Set up like a mini Soma Skool (a Scottish Arts Council event, designed to demystify the mechanics behind the music and creative industries), highlights will include discussions about, amongst other things, the MOBO awards, followed by a scintillating Question Time session.

Headed by Stuart Cosgrove, former NME media editor, head of programmes at Channel 4 and now a BBC Radio host, the panel will debate "Scotland's Cultural Soul in the Digital Age". Exploring our music industry, the focus will be on how the Asian and black communities in Scotland represent Music Of Black Origin. Stuart will be joined by other experts in the field, kicking off with Edinburgh-based MC Profisee, who is currently busy working with female producer/vocalist 'M' on new project 'Cloak X Dagger'.

They will be joined by Laura McCrum, who attracted media attention after establishing Urban Scot, an organisation dedicated to developing and promoting urban music and talent in locally. The 29-year-old has battled for years to give Scotland's all too frequently-ignored underground urban scene more of a voice.

Representing the club scene is Esa Williams. Originally from Cape Town, he moved to Scotland at 21, making a name for himself with his live percussion DJ sets, going on to reign as resident DJ at Glasgow's Sub Club and Sensu Live. Finally, Giles Lamb, Director of Savalas, a broadcast media company, will complete the panel.

A well-rounded bunch, it will make for an gripping debate. But that's not all. Also packed into the five hours will be software and hardware demos, networking opportunities aplenty, giveaways and informal interative workshops. These include; Harvey McKay: Ableton, Ewan Smith: Making video on tight budget, Conor Dalton: mastering and Bob Gould: Glasgow Gospel Choir.

Not forgetting the musical contribution, there'll be some interesting live music acts and dance performances. The colourful Punjabi No. 1, hip-hop and breakdance showcase, the jaw-dropping Preston Reed, leading DJ mixing, S-Type and Scatterbrain's Showcase, featuring MCs, Loki, Marrik and Depths and African drummers, Teaching Drums. Others are to be confirmed but for those who relish a rumour, according to the grapevine, there'll possibly be a MOBO Award nominee too.

Exhibitors at Glasgow.Music.Now include:

Academy of Music & Sound
Marketing itself as the UK's premium choice for rock and popular music training, the accredited EDEXCEL Academy of Music and Sound has centres throughout the UK, offering a range of BTEC qualifications for those looking to break into the music industry.

Ayr College
With campuses in Ayr, Cumnock and Carrick, the College offers full and part-time courses in Music Technology and Performing Arts, from Music Business to An Introduction to DJing.

Caledonian University
Based in the heart of Glasgow, this modern University has a major focus on employability, with the majority of students finding work or further study within six months of graduation.

DJ Academy
Whether you want to improve your mixing skills or have your sights set on world domination as commercial club DJ, this is the place to do it. Nominated as the best in its field, the DJ Academy's UK-wide courses are led by an impressive line-up of award-winning pros, including Andy King, DJ Proton and Adam West.

EmuBands
Glasgow-based EmuBands formed in 2005, giving a hand to independent and unsigned bands and artists keen to break into the digital marketplace, and now distributes to more than 100 e-stores worldwide, including iTunes, Napster and HMV Digital.

Classic Grand
Another Glasgow gem, Classic Grand is both a rock club and venue for little-known-but-good musicians. An ex-cinema, its two floors offer both an intimate downstairs hideaway and a dramatic upstairs space.

James Watt College
Highly recommended by ex-Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown, the recently re-vamped James Watt School of Music has a music and video production studio that's second to none.

Musicians’ Union
Representing more than thirty thousand workers in all sectors of the industry, the Musician's Union negotiates with employers, while offering a range of services for professional and student musicians of all ages.

North Glasgow College
Located in Springburn, the College's range of creative arts courses includes the new HNC/D in Sound Production, ideal preparation for careers in recording studios, theatres, radio, retail and distribution.

Subcity Radio
Glasgow Uni's student radio station prides itself in having pushed the boundaries of student radio for the past 14 years to make Subcity a unique staple to the Glasgow music scene. Aiming solely at music lovers, it has no set playlist and 90% specialist programming, covering almost all musical bases.

Stow College
Stow specialises in music and the creative industries, among a handful of other sectors. Lecturers tend to be former professional musicians, such as Bay City Roller Stuart Woody Wood and Ken McCluskey of The Bluebells.

Scottish Music Centre
More than just a library of local music, Glasgow's Scottish Music Centre promotes Scottish talent, showcases industry news and jobs and provides training and other essential services, from publicity to website design, printing, digital scoring and recording.

SWAMP Glasgow
Looking for somewhere to practice a play, record an album or make a DVD? This creative media centre in Glasgow offers young people a well-equipped recording studio, editing suite and rehearsal room amongst other treats. And if you don't quite have the hang of what you're doing, there are courses on offer too.