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PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY

Amazon Amuse Audiomack Even Groover Linktree Meta Sound Royalties Spotify TikTok

Program

Full Program, Speakers and Times

Creativity

DAY 1: Monday 27th April

  • 8:00am PT / 11:00am ET / 4:00pm BST
    Welcome by Music Ally / Artist Ally
  • 8:05am PT / 11:05am ET / 4:05pm BST
    Creativity Across Borders: Aziz Maraka in Conversation     Speakers: Aziz Maraka (Artist), Samer Johnny Jamal (Meta) As the MENA music scene continues to gain global momentum, artists are finding new ways to blend traditional influences with modern sounds. Aziz Maraka, the Jordanian composer and producer behind the “Razz” (Arabic Rock-Jazz) fusion, has built a career defined by musical diversification and international collaboration through his platform, Bands Across Borders (BAB). In this session, Samer Jamal (Strategic Partner Manager at Meta) sits down with Aziz to discuss his unique approach to creativity and the evolution of the region’s music landscape. They will also explore how Aziz utilises different platforms to amplify his creative output and connect with his international fanbase.
  • 8:30am PT / 11:30am ET / 4:30pm BST
    TikTok In Conversation With Award-Winning Songwriter RuthAnne     Speakers: RuthAnne (Songwriter), Emily Mitchell (TikTok) Emily Mitchell, TikTok’s Head of Music Publishing and Songwriter Partnerships sits down for a candid discussion with RuthAnne, the award-winning songwriter. RuthAnne is the songwriter responsible for countless hit songs for superstars artists including Britney Spears (‘Work Bitch’), One Direction (‘No Control’, ‘Where Do Broken Hearts Go’), Niall Horan (‘Slow Hands’, ‘Nice To Meet Ya’) and Martin Garrix and Bebe Rexha (‘In The Name of Love’), among many others. RuthAnne will be talking to Emily about her career, her songwriting process, and the impact of platforms like TikTok on songs, fan engagement and music discovery.
  • 9:00am PT / 12:00pm ET / 5:00pm BST
    Breaking the Stereo Ceiling: Immersive Audio for Music Production     Speakers: Bryan Borcherds (Create New Stories), Halina Rice (Producer / AV Artist), Andrew Scheps (Producer / Mixer / Label Owner), David Kosten (DJ / Producer) Stereo has been the standard for decades, but the ceiling is lifting. This session explores the creative and practical shift from a two-channel mindset to an object-based world, examining how producing in a 3D space changes the fundamental DNA of a track. We discuss how to move beyond simply “mixing for spatial” and instead start creating within it, covering everything from initial composition strategies to the technicalities of immersive delivery.
  • 10:00am PT / 1:00pm ET / 6:00pm BST
    Does The Album Still Matter In The Modern Music Industry?     Speakers: Keith Jopling (Podcaster / Author), Richard Archer (Artist, Hard-Fi) In an era of viral hits and algorithmic music listening, does the album still hold its crown as the ultimate artistic statement? Music strategist and author Keith Jopling sits down with Hard-Fi frontman Richard Archer to explore the enduring relevance of the long-form record. Drawing on Keith’s deep research into the album format and Richard’s experience returning with Hard-Fi’s first new album in 15 years, this conversation digs into the craft, the commerce, and the cultural necessity of the album in the digital age.
  • 10:30am PT / 1:30pm ET / 6:30pm BST
    The Creative Instinct with Amir Amor     Speakers: Amir Amor (Artist) Success in the studio often comes down to a single moment of creative intuition. For Amir Amor, that moment arrived when he reimagined a demo that would eventually become Rudimental’s breakout debut. By following his own sonic interests and pivoting the group’s sound towards DnB with live instrumentation, he didn’t just produce a hit – he became a founding member of one of the UK’s most successful electronic acts. In this interview, we dive into Amir’s creative process and the importance of taking creative risks.
  • 10:55am PT / 1:55pm ET / 6:55pm BST
    Daily Wrap-Up by Music Ally / Artist Ally
Marketing & Fanbase
Development

DAY 2: Tuesday 28th April

  • 8:00am PT / 11:00am ET / 4:00pm BST
    Welcome by Music Ally / Artist Ally
  • 8:05am PT / 11:05am ET / 4:05pm BST
    Focus On Instagram: How To Grow Your Audience & Engagement     Speakers: Christina Theodoropoulou (Meta), Eoin Quirke (Meta) Instagram’s ecosystem is constantly shifting, but for artists, the core goal remains the same: building a community that actually converts. In this session, Meta’s Music Partnerships team breaks down the essential strategies, features, and content trends that are actually moving the needle for artists in 2026.
  • 8:25am PT / 11:25am ET / 4:25pm BST
    Phones Out, Edits In: A Step By Step Walkthrough of Edits – by Meta     Speakers: Christina Theodoropoulou (Meta), Eoin Quirke (Meta) Creating high-impact video doesn’t have to be a full-time job. If you’ve been looking to level up your content this year, this 10-minute workshop is for you. We’ll show you how to use the Edits app to turn raw footage into standout content, providing a step-by-step guide to building professional-grade clips all by yourself.
  • 8:35am PT / 11:35am ET / 4:35pm BST
    New Music vs. Catalog Marketing: 10 Steps to Make Your Music Work – by Amuse     Speakers: Linnea Axelsson (Amuse), Matt Sherratt (Amuse), Marlen Hüllbrock (Music Ally / Artist Ally) Not every release should be marketed the same way. In this masterclass Linnea Axelson, Artist & Release Coordinator at Amuse and Matt Sherratt, Artist Marketing Manager, explain the difference between frontline and catalog marketing, the assets you absolutely need and how to build the right plan for each. With practical guidance on digital music distribution, release planning and catalog optimization, plus budget-friendly examples you can actually apply to your own project, this session is designed to help you make your music work.
  • 9:05am PT / 12:05pm ET / 5:05pm BST
    Growing Your Audience as an Independent Artist Today Insights with DJ Ab     Speakers: DJ Ab (Artist), Debbie Adebowale (GSX Music) From local to global join DJ AB as he shares how he’s built his audience beyond borders, and what it takes for independent artists to grow today.
  • 9:30am PT / 12:30pm ET / 5:30pm BST
    Breaking Through: Building Your Fanbase with Amazon Music     Speakers: Dellessa James (Amazon Music), Marco Giuliani (Amazon Music) In this session, the Amazon Music team – specializing in label and artist relations – provides a look at the tools available on Amazon Music to support fanbase growth for emerging artists. Drawing on their experience with the Breakthrough and Artists to Watch programs, the team will share inspiring case studies and discuss practical ways to grow your career on Amazon Music.
  • 10:00am PT / 1:00pm ET / 6:00pm BST
    Spotify for Artists presents: Loud & Clear – Breaking Down the Streaming Economy     Speakers: Bryan Johnson (Spotify) Streaming has helped power a new era of growth for the music industry. Today, that means more artists than ever, from more countries and languages, are building careers and reaching audiences around the world. In this session, we’ll break down the key insights from Spotify’s Loud & Clear report, how money flows through the system, and what it means for artists creating sustainable careers today.
  • 10:30am PT / 1:30pm ET / 6:30pm BST
    How Artists Are Winning in 2026: Growth, Community & Global Reach – by Audiomack     Speakers: Brian “Z” Zisook (Audiomack), David Ponte (Audiomack) In this session, the two co-founders of Audiomack break down how to turn streams into real fans, build a community that sticks, and grow beyond your local market. They’ll go beyond theory, offering actionable tactics with a real case study showing how to go from unknown to global.
  • 11:10am PT / 2:10pm ET / 7:10pm BST
    How to Turn Followers into Fans: What We Learned from David Kushner’s EP Campaign     Speakers: Sammy Kaufmann (Linktree), Daniel Esmond (Virgin Music Group) What happens when you ask fans to comment one word on an Instagram post? For David Kushner, it meant hundreds of new email subscribers before his EP even dropped. Linktree and Virgin Music Group unpack the exact campaign and why owned audience is the most underrated tool in an artist’s release strategy.
  • 11:30am PT / 2:30pm ET / 7:30pm BST
    Effective Artist Branding – by Music Ally     Speakers: Nastya Vinokur (Music Ally / Artist Ally) In a crowded music industry, a good track is just the starting point – to actually stick, you need to build a world for your audience. We’re breaking down the frameworks for crafting an authentic artist brand, using the same workshop we’ve run for hundreds of label teams globally through our parent company, Music Ally. Come get the practical steps and real-world examples you need to take your artist brand to the next level.
  • 12:15pm PT / 3:15pm ET / 8:15pm BST
    Daily Wrap-Up by Music Ally / Artist Ally
Career Growth &
Monetisation

DAY 3: Wednesday 29th April

  • 8:00am PT / 11:00am ET / 4:00pm BST
    Welcome by Music Ally / Artist Ally
  • 8:05am PT / 11:05am ET / 4:05pm BST
    Free Game Special: LaRussell and Tietta in conversation with EVEN’s founder Mag Rodriguez     Speakers: LaRussell (Artist), Tietta (Artist / Manager), Mag Rodriguez (EVEN) Inspired by their “Free Game Friday” format, EVEN founder Mag Rodriguez joins LaRussell and Tietta for a candid conversation on the independent hustle and the direct-to-fan mindset. LaRussell and Tietta have become the blueprint for the D2C and community-led movement, proving that with a direct line to your community and by reinventing release approaches, you can make a sustainable living as an artist.
  • 8:35am PT / 11:35am ET / 4:35pm BST
    K CAMP and GENIUS in conversation on Entrepreneurship and Independence     Speakers: K CAMP (Artist), GENIUS (DJ / Artist) K CAMP and GENIUS have spent over a decade navigating the music industry as partners and independent operators. From early collaborations that helped shape the Atlanta sound to the formation of RARE Sound and Monopoly Distribution, their work has centered on maintaining control over their creative output and its commercial value. In this fireside chat, they discuss the mechanics of their partnership and the reality of scaling a business as an independent artist. The conversation will cover the transition from making hits to managing a multi-faceted enterprise that includes distribution, publishing, and artist development. Central to their approach has been a belief that artists should retain ownership of their work while still accessing major-label quality infrastructure.
  • 9:05am PT / 12:05pm ET / 5:05pm BST
    Today’s Artist Toolkit: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters     Speakers: Sammy Kaufmann (Linktree), Dorian Perron (Groover), David McKay (Seated), Erin Singleton (Softside) Being an artist today means doing it all, from marketing and community to touring and merch, all while making music. There’s not much time left to actually manage your career. We’re going to get into the tools that help with that. We’ll break down an essential toolkit you might not even know exists, and how platforms like Linktree, Softside, Groover, and Seated can help you stay organized, reach existing and new potential fans, and make money without burning out.
  • 9:35am PT / 12:35pm ET / 5:35pm BST
    5 Things To Do Before You Even Think Of Getting A Manager     Speakers: Charlotte Caleb (Ellevate), MULIMBA (Artist), Maarten Puddy (Manager) Having the right manager can make or break an artist’s career. They can be the partner that brings everything together and forms a strategy that skyrockets an act, but when is the right time to bring on a manager? And who is the right manager for you? In this workshop we will address the things that all artists need to do to attract the right manager at the right time.
  • 10:15am PT / 1:15pm ET / 6:15pm BST
    Owning Your Sound & Building a Sustainable Music Career     Speakers: Alex Heiche (Sound Royalties), Dr. Antwan “Amadeus” Thompson Sr. (Platinum Boy Music) Join Dr. Antwan “Amadeus” Thompson Sr., acclaimed producer and CEO of Platinum Boy Music, and Alex Heiche, Founder & CEO of Sound Royalties, for a conversation focused on empowering creatives in today’s music industry. Together, they’ll share insights on balancing success and creativity, navigating finances as a music professional, and the importance of retaining ownership of your royalty streams. The conversation will also include how Amadeus grew his career to working with over 100 artists, providing music for ESPN, and being the musical director and tour drummer for Trey Songz, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and what financial tools are available specifically for creatives.
  • 10:45am PT / 1:45pm ET / 6:45pm BST
    The Path into Video Games: Game Scoring and Sound Design with doseone     Speakers: doseone (Artist), Patrick Ross (Music Ally / Artist Ally) For an artist, building a sustainable career often comes down to the ability to transition and reinvent yourself. Adam Kidd Drucker—better known as the underground hip-hop icon doseone – knows this better than most. From his roots as an indie rapper to working as a sound designer at Nickelodeon and eventually becoming a prolific video game composer for titles like Enter the Gungeon and Sludge Life, his journey is a masterclass in creative evolution. In this interview, Patrick Ross sits down with doseone to explore his unique path into the gaming industry. They will discuss the realities of career reinvention, offering practical insights and actionable steps for artists, songwriters, and producers looking to expand their own creative footprint into game scoring and sound design.
  • 11:10am PT / 2:10pm ET / 7:10pm BST
    How Artists can Build Fandom with Gen Z & Alpha on Roblox     Speakers: Alli Guglielmino (Gamefam) With Gen Z & Alpha spending over 2.5 hours on Roblox daily (more than TikTok or YouTube), it’s quickly become a must-have media platform for artists and labels to generate fan engagement and spark music discovery, regardless of budget. In this session, Alli Guglielmino from Gamefam — the leading Roblox strategist and developer who has worked with The Chainsmokers, Saweetie, Coldplay, Cher, SAILORR and more — breaks down how Roblox offers artists unique ways to engage with fans, from building awareness through custom integrations, to streaming with fans, to releasing unique avatar merch. Alli will explain player behaviors on Roblox and the platform’s growth, how artists can get started, what formats are working (and what’s not) for artists and their labels, and how success is measured.
  • 11:25am PT / 2:25pm ET / 7:25pm BST
    Daily Wrap-Up by Music Ally / Artist Ally
Changemaking

DAY 4: Thursday 30th April

  • 8:00am PT / 11:00am ET / 4:00pm BST
    Welcome by Music Ally / Artist Ally
  • 8:05am PT / 11:05am ET / 4:05pm BST
    From Barriers to Breakthroughs: Owning Your Story in the Music Industry     Speakers: Andrea Dee (Amplify Her), DeeRiginal (Artist), Elle Chante (Artist), Amy Lilley (Music Ally / Artist Ally) There is a specific kind of bravery required to be yourself in a room that wasn’t built for you. We often talk about “authenticity” as a buzzword, but for many, it’s a daily act of defiance. This discussion looks at the reality of owning your story in the music industry, barriers and all. It’s a conversation about the friction of moving against the grain, the resilience required to stay the course, and how the very things that make your story unique are exactly what make your music feel like home to someone else.
  • 8:45am PT / 11:45am ET / 4:45pm BST
    Embracing Neurodivergency in the Music Industry     Speakers: Rupert Hudson (Artist & Therapist) Why do so many of the most creative people in music also struggle to feel well within the industry itself? Join us for an in-depth and compassionate exploration of neurodivergence and mental health in the music industry, led by Vancouver-based artist and therapist Rupert Hudson, who specializes in working with neurodivergent clients and performs in the indie pop band Orchid Orchestra.
  • 9:15am PT / 12:15pm ET / 5:15pm BST
    Music Ally reveals the Artist Ally Accelerator Selectees & Emerging Artist Award Winner     Speakers: Marlen Hüllbrock (Music Ally / Artist Ally), Jubilee Munangati (Music Ally / Artist Ally) Join us for the official reveal of the five artists selected for the Artist Ally Accelerator. Each of the artists will receive a dedicated support package including professional mentoring, a Music Ally Pro subscription, and premium equipment from Roland. In this session, we will showcase the selected artists and their work. The session will culminate in the announcement of the Emerging Artist Award Winner, who will receive additional mentoring, a global spotlight across the Music Ally and Artist Ally platforms and a physical award. This is a moment to celebrate these 5 artists and help them accelerate their journey.
  • 9:30am PT / 12:30pm ET / 5:30pm BST
    Spotify for Artists presents: Staying in Control – Protecting Your Music in the Streaming Era     Speakers: Bryan Johnson (Spotify) Your music has value, and protecting it has never mattered more. As technology evolves, new challenges are emerging, from artificial streaming and spam to the misuse of AI. This session explores how Spotify is working to protect artist identity, strengthen trust and transparency across the ecosystem, and what you can do to stay in control of your music to build real, lasting connections with fans.
  • 10:00am PT / 1:00pm ET / 6:00pm BST
    Building Your Career: A Guide to Artist Funding     Speakers: David Martin (FAC), Michelle Myrie (Youth Music), Chris Tams (BPI), John Hendrickse (PRS Foundation) Finding the capital to scale an artist’s career is often the biggest hurdle in the independent sector. This session breaks down the current funding landscape, moving past the jargon to identify which financial levers actually make sense for your specific career stage. From refining your pitch to avoiding common pitfalls, our speakers share a practical roadmap for securing the resources you need to grow.
  • 10:40am PT / 1:40pm ET / 6:40pm BST
    AI Ethics: CLIP x AFEM: Credits, Attribution and Getting Paid     Speakers: Jay Ahern (AFEM), Alexa Niculae (CLIP Champion & Artist) , Niclas Molinder (Clip / Music Rights Awareness Foundation) A practical, creator-first session on how credits, attribution and metadata drive visibility and revenue. Introducing CLIP and what it means for creators, we’ll cover common pitfalls and simple steps to make sure work is recognised, tracked and paid, using AI as an entry point but grounding things in fundamentals creators can apply today.
  • 11:10am PT / 2:10pm ET / 7:10pm BST
    In Place of War presents: A State of Emergency – music as a lifeline, by Ruth Daniel CEO     Speakers: Ruth Daniel (In Place of War) In “Music as a Lifeline,” Ruth Daniel draws on 22 years of leading In Place of War to make the case that music is not a passive comfort but an active force for human resilience. Set against a frank account of the current global moment, from widening inequality and the genocide in Gaza to the rise of the far right and climate breakdown, the talk explores how music and culture help people survive, resist, and organise in times of crisis: providing community, language for trauma, a sense of agency, and the preservation of identity. Through stories from Colombia, Zimbabwe, Palestine, South Africa, Greenland, and beyond, Ruth shows how artists, clubs, and grassroots organisations have used creativity to push back against repression and build solidarity across borders, and calls on the music industry to go beyond monetisation and harness its platforms, audiences, and relationships to be a genuine force for peace, justice, and change.
  • 11:30am PT / 2:30pm ET / 7:30pm BST
    Daily Wrap-Up by Music Ally / Artist Ally
Live & Touring

DAY 5: Friday 1st May

  • 8:00am PT / 11:00am ET / 4:00pm BST
    Welcome by Music Ally / Artist Ally
  • 8:05am PT / 11:05am ET / 4:05pm BST
    The Value Of Live Music and How Artists Actually Capture it     Speakers: Simon Imbrah (TecSpec), Toma Lazarov (Artist Manager / Producer), Sam Taylor (Leaps + Bounds), Vanessa Govinden (Artist) Live music is arguably the most powerful part of an artist’s career – driving fan connection, growth, and income. As well as being a surefire sign of an artist’s success…but many artists aren’t fully capturing the value their live shows create. This panel breaks down how to approach live performance strategically: from delivering better shows and building real fan relationships, to understanding the operational side of touring and ensuring nothing is lost behind the scenes. Bringing together perspectives from artists, operators, and live environments, the session will give practical insight into how live music can be used not just as a performance — but as a career growth engine to maximise fan engagement, artist revenue and support a viable career as a musician and artist.
  • 8:45am PT / 11:45am ET / 4:45pm BST
    The Reality of the Road: Practical Lessons from Nova Twins’ Manager     Speakers: Rupert King (Blue Raincoat Music), Marlen Hüllbrock (Music Ally / Artist Ally) For many artists, the live circuit is the primary driver of career momentum, but it is also the area of highest risk. With a busy touring schedule since the start of their career and a recent win for Best Alternative Music Act at the 2026 MOBO Awards, there is a wealth of knowledge to be gained from the trajectory of Nova Twins. In this session, we talk to the band’s manager, Rupert King, about the details of the band’s live growth. We will discuss the actual logistics of touring in the current climate and practical tips on growing a career through playing live.
  • 9:05am PT / 12:05pm ET / 5:05pm BST
    Leveling Up Your Live Show – The Mindset, The Team & The Performance     Speakers: William Bowerman (WFB Live) How do you grow from playing a local gig to a global stadium stage? William Bowerman – Grammy-winning producer, musical director, and co-founder of WFB Live – draws on his experience directing for artists such as Post Malone, Jennie and Dua Lipa. In this session, William shares a grounded look at how independent artists can build a healthy collaborative team, handle the mental pressure of a scaling career, and deliver memorable performances that resonate whether you’re in a bar or on a big screen.
  • 9:35am PT / 1:35pm ET / 5:35pm BST
    Maximising Live Shows Through Marketing & Data Capture – by Music Ally     Speakers: Nastya Vinokur (Music Ally / Artist Ally) In this Music Ally presentation, we provide practical examples and tips on how artists can turn live touring into powerful content, brand-building, and fan connection engines. We’ll cover what types of content to capture on the road, how to promote your shows, and the essential marketing tools you can leverage while on tour.
  • 9:55am PT / 1:55pm ET / 5:55pm BST
    Daily Wrap-Up by Music Ally / Artist Ally

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