Britain sending 12 bands to SXSW

LONDON, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- The British government is looking to boost its musical credibility and market share by sending 12 of its top pop music acts to the United States.

The Kooks, The Rakes, Jim Noir, The Feeling and Boy Kill Boy are a few of acts getting government financing to play at next month's prestigious South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, the Mirror reported Thursday.

"From the Beatles, through David Bowie to Coldplay, the U.K. music scene has always led the world but we have not always capitalized on our talent to break America," Trade and Industry Secretary Alan Johnson said. "I want to ensure that the government works with the industry and our best artists to showcase talent in the United States."

While the United States controls 37 percent of global music sales, Britain's share has crashed from a high of 32 percent in 1986 to 8 percent, the Mirror said.

Britain's CD exports average an annual 1.3 billion pounds ($2.27 billion) and the government would like to keep the trend growing.