Red Bull Music Academy set for Madrid
The 2011 Red Bull Music Academy will be held in Madrid, it was announced last night.
The news comes a week after the company announced its decision to pull the event from Tokyo. The academy will now be held from October 23 to November 25 at Matadero Madrid (pictured above), an industrial complex in the midst of cultural regeneration.
An official statement was today posted on the RBMA website which clarified the company’s decision to pull the event from the Japanese capital in light of the March earthquake that ravaged the country, leaving half a million people homeless, more than 18,000 dead and a repair bill in excess of £145bn.
“When the terrible events of March 11 struck in North East Japan, we had to make a timely decision about a potential relocation, and it quickly became apparent that going forward with these plans in Tokyo right now would not be possible,” the statement read.
“Furthermore we received a lot of cancellations from people who had already applied. The very same goes for artists who were requested to lecture and perform in Tokyo. These are the people who make the event what it is, and we had to respect their current concerns.
“Our involvement in and contribution to the musical landscape in Japan will not stop. To the contrary, we will build on the strong networks and close ties that have evolved throughout the process of preparing the Academy. We will continue to host workshops, gigs, RBMA Radio sessions and festival stages as we did at SónarSound Tokyo, as well as setting up international showcases for Japanese culture: in Madrid and beyond.”
RBMA also posted some important information regarding this year’s event – see below. Head over to the RMBA website for more information.
Red Bull Music Academy Madrid 2011
Workshop 1: October 23 – November 4, 2011
Workshop 2: November 13 – November 25, 2011
Application period extended – New deadline: April 26 (date of postmark)
Will the Red Bull Music Academy 2011 be postponed?
No, the dates of the actual event will remain as previously announced. It’s just the application period that has been extended by three weeks.
So, by when do I need to hand in my application?
All applications must be sent, i.e. postmarked April 26, 2011, or earlier. Please note that, despite the postponement, there is no need to send your application on the last day.
Will there be any changes to the selection process?
No, the procedure of picking our participants, as well as the rules and regulations for applying to the Academy will remain exactly the same. The only difference is that, due to local laws, the minimum age is now 18, i.e. all applicants have to be born October 23, 1993, or earlier.
Should I still reply to the Japan-related questions (44-48) in the application form, despite the fact that the Academy is now going to happen in Madrid?
Yes, the whole questionnaire needs to be filled in. We want every single applicant to face the same conditions and have the same fair chance to get in.
When will successful applicants be notified?
All applicants will be notified via email by July 15, whether they were successful or not.
Any more questions regarding the application and selection process?
Please don’t hesitate to send an email anytime.