About

These are the facts of the matter. This is The Upshot.

The Upshot has been running since 2000 as an independent music promotions, artist management and marketing support outfit. In line with the ever changing face of the entertainment industry it serves, The Upshot continues to innovate, create and serve quality campaigns for its broadening client base. From music promotion and artist management, to film and documentary making, online initiatives and bespoke campaigns, The Upshot is always evolving. The Upshot is run by Stephen Barnes.

Alternative Club Promo

We serve mainly in the field of alternative clubbing, supplying DJs with the hottest new tunes from the biggest names to the more isoteric, and downright interesting. We also create launch and playback events in the clubs for new albums and a slew of bespoke marketting and promotion initiatives to suit any campaign. Our record company clients range from Universal to Sony, through Co-Operative to The Fabric Label, and we have run over 2,000 successful campaigns. If you are a DJ or promoter and wish to join our list, please see further info at the bottom of this page.

Artist Management

We manage the Naturals. Beacause we love them.

Documentaries / Film / Video

We are 'twinned' with Document Productions, making award winning radio and TV documentaries, and recently released our first film Upside Down; The Creation Records Story, which is now on worldwide release after more than 50 film festival appearances, and awards from the likes of MOJO and NME.

Bristol Music Foundation

Since moving our operation to the 'UK's Most Musical City', owner Stephen Barnes co-runs the Bristol Music Foundation, dedicated the development of music businesses and musicians in Bristol and the South West of England. This includes the annual Music South West conference, Teenage Rampage, Music Industry Education, programming for Torch Relay, BEAM and IC Music amongst others.

Bespoke Campaigns

We have conceived, run, co-run, held hands, provided impetus, connected several bespoke campaigns for the likes of Deltasonic Records/Management, MTV/MTV Viva, Propaganda Promotions and Teenage Rampage.

*For Club DJs/Promoters

If you run a club night, as a DJ or promoter and are interested in joining us, please fire us an email at promo[at]theupshot.co.uk, subject : Mailing List. Its a free service, giving you some of the finest new tunes up front of release. We don't believe in musical parameters, save for we steer clear of manufactured pop, instead waving the flag for real artists, be they guitar, synth or loop laden. If we love it, we want to share it. We service via a secure digital delivery service straight to your inbox, and occasionally things will fall through your real letterbox too. The service is gratis, subject to you passing our 'fit and proper' criteria, which is basically you are who you say you are and you so what you say you do. So, join our happy throng!