The UK’s Leading Digital Music Conference returns on Friday 20 April

The Association of independent Music (AIM), the organisation representing the interests of over 800 independent music companies in the UK, has announced that tickets are now available for Music Connected , the UK's largest annual digital music conference ,which will take place on Friday 20th April.

Leading record labels, self-releasing artists and digital music companies will descend on Glaziers Hall in London for a day packed with future-facing topics, top name speakers and unrivalled professional insight on all things digital.

Music Connected 2018 (in association with Merlin and CI), which is celebrating its 16th year in 2018 will look at the latest developments and opportunities for labels and music companies operating in the digital music market.

The conference will offer a day of networking, deal-making, practical digital business advice and enlightening conference sessions.

After the day’s activities the official Music Connected afterparty will take place at Omeara from 5.30pm-7.30pm, with all delegates receiving a hard-earned complimentary drink at the bar.

Paul Pacifico , CEO of AIM said, “ AIM’s Music Connected has become the biggest digital music conference in the UK. We currently stand at an exciting inflection point with multiple new technologies coming to market and companies of all sizes starting to feel the commercial impact of the data revolution. Music Connected explores all of the hottest topics and most relevant themes bringing together the top experts with industry professional in each field.”

The full conference programme will be announced in the coming weeks, but the initial line-up of speakers and sessions can now be revealed:

Talking Heads – The Rise of Voice Recognition Devices
With voice recognition devices now firmly embedded in the home, our panel look at the increasing adoption of these devices and the impact on labels, artists, DSPs and music consumption. What data tagging developments are in store? Where is the technology heading? How can labels and artists embrace these developments?

RoboPop – AI, a Music Industry Friend or Foe?
The emergence of Artificial Intelligence and has opened up debate across the music industry. Our panellists will look at the effect AI and machine learning are having on copyright, production, A&R, consumption, sync, advertising and more. Are they threats or opportunities for the modern music industry?

Virtual Insanity - Embracing VR & AR
New platforms, immersive experiences and interactive developments are opening brand new opportunities for the music industry. Our panel explore the variety of ways that labels, artists and music companies can make use of the rapid advances in virtual reality, augmented reality and immersive technologies.

The Evolution Of The Music Supply Chain
With increasing options available to artists, the digital supply chain offers a higher level of transparency than ever before. The introduction of modular solutions means independent labels and music companies can keep 100% controlchain, what trends can be predicted, what the increasing options mean for rights holders and where the potential pitfalls lie for self-releasing artists in 2018.

Living The Stream - The Future of Online Music Consumption
The rise of streaming continues with consumption habits increasingly leaning towards DSPs. Our panel look at the importance of streaming strategies for a campaign, how to increase your presence on platforms, tips for getting playlisted and look at advances to expect in the streaming landscape.


Speakers confirmed so far include:

    Jeremy Silver, CEO, Digital Catapult

    Julia Killer, Director of Label Relations – SoundCloud

    Kameil Sattar, Head of Digital – Proper Music Group

    Matt Parsons, Founder & CEO – Ditto Music

    Paul Langworthy, Chief Operating Officer - 7Digital

    Peter Harris, Founder & CEO - Resonate

    Russel Coultart, Global Head of Music Partnerships – MUSO

    Sam Taylor, Chief Commercial Officer - POP

    Scott Kerr, Label Development Manager - InGrooves

    Simon Wheeler, Head of Digital - Beggars Group

    Summer Kim, Head of Business Development – CI

 

BREAKOUT WORKSHOPS
Several smaller breakout workshops, training sessions and masterclasses will also take place throughout the day, offering training on essential digital music skills and topics. These will cover topics including:
Fan Engagement, Apps & Bots
Data Analytics and Music Piracy
Blockchain Explained

 
More sessions and speakers will be announced in coming weeks.

In addition to the packed conference programme, the ‘Digital Market Place’ will host a raft of top digital music companies.

Always a sell-out event, Music Connected has become the key date in the digital music industry calendar.



Digital companies already confirmed to participate include:
7Digital, Beggars Group, Bonded, CI, Digital Catapult, Ditto, InGrooves, Merlin, Muso, Pop, Proper Music Group, Resonate, SoundCloud, Web Sheriff and more!


Tickets are now available to book via the AIM website

£52 +VAT - AIM members
£190 +VAT* – Non members

Ticket prices include lunch, refreshments and a drink at the afterparty at Omeara.
(*Discounts for members of affiliated organisations)

 
We have a limited number of stands still available in the Digital Market Place. For information on exhibiting please contact Alex Morley on alex@musicindie.com

AIM is grateful for the support of our event sponsors CI, Merlin, Digital Catapult, Ditto, MUSO, Resonate & Web Sheriff