Brighton Music Conference 2024 full programme 14 May 2024
A GUY CALLED GERALD, A MAN CALLED ADAM, CRAZY P, DJ PAULETTE, EROL ALKAN, FLAVA D, HEIDI, MR C, SAYTEK, SOLAH, SMOKIN JO
-Over 200 industry leading professionals taking part in panels and workshops
-Keynote Interviews with Erol Alkan, A Guy Called Gerald and Danielle Moore and Chris Todd from Crazy P.
-New and improved ‘A&R Sessions’ headed up by prolific DJ / Producer Steve Mac
-8 networking events at some of Brighton’s best loved venues (all within easy walking distance)
-4 exclusive pod parties on the iconic Brighton i360 observation tower with Bushwacka!, Erol Alkan, Fabric and Hospital Records.
The award-winning Brighton Music Conference (BMC), the UK’s leading electronic music and networking event is excited to announce the full programme for its 11th edition. Taking place at the prestigious Brighton i360 complex and various venues around the city from 22nd to 24th May 2024, BMC will once again bring together Industry-leading professionals and present a programme of insightful talks, workshops and networking events.
This year’s event will include Keynote Interviews with internationally renowned artists Erol Alkan, A Guy Called Gerald, Danielle Moore and Chris Todd from Crazy P. Other sessions include two DJ Q&As featuring a host of top artists including DJ Paulette, Danny Byrd, Heidi, Justin Robertson, Mr. C, Matt Jam Lamont, SYREETA and Smokin Jo and two all-star Producer Q&As with A Guy Called Gerald, Funk D'Void, Just Her, Particle, Saytek, Seb Zito, Shadow Child, Steve Mac and Sally Rodgers from A Man Called Adam, plus a Label Q&A with Hospital Records and 20 years of Shogun Audio.
The Association for Electronic Music will present two sessions on The DJ Touring Landscape and AI & Your Audience, Harm Reduction: Health, Hearing & Wellbeing will be discussed with ACS, Beatport will present their Annual Report, Cavendish Music will host a conversation with Commercial Artists Writing For Sync, Data Transmission’s Grahame Farmer will deep dive into all things Social Media, Inflyte will explore the question ‘Is the Algorithm Truly Listening?’, the Label Radar session will share key strategies to make your demos resonate in What Labels Are Actually Looking For?, shesaid.so and NOWIE will tackle the topic of Working in Live, Point Blank will present a Track Breakdown of Frankie Knuckles ‘Your Love’ with Ski Oakenfull and AlphaTheta (Pioneer DJ) will be showcasing the OMNIS-DUO all-in-one DJ system and the WAVE-EIGHT DJ speaker.
If that wasn’t enough other topics being featured in this year's jam-packed programme include; A&R, DIY and Self Release, Management, Marketing, Neurodivergence, Podcasts, Radio's role in the electronic music landscape, Resident DJs, Ticketing, Vocals and much more. AIM, FUGA, Listen Up Therapy, NTIA, PRS, PPL, Skiddle and Steinberg will also be hosting sessions which will be announced soon. BMC also supports the charity Last Night A DJ Saved My Life who present an update on their latest projects and how they use the power of music to change lives and save lives. View the BMC 2024 programme here
BMC are also excited to present the new and improved ‘A&R Sessions’ which will feature over 30 labels across different genres giving more opportunities for immediate feedback with leading A&Rs in the electronic music industry. Headed up by the prolific DJ and music producer Steve Mac the ‘A&R Sessions’ will take place at The Tempest Inn on Brighton’s beachfront with a relaxed, friendly environment, where up and coming producers will have the opportunity to book one-to-one sessions with the labels of their choice
The legendary pod parties at BMC are exclusive events held 450 feet above the city in the i360 Pod observation tower. This year’s Pod lineup will feature 4 exclusive networking events supported by AlphaTheta hosted by Bushwacka! and Hospital Records featuring Flava D, Texas and SOLAH on Thursday 23rd May and Erol Alkan presented by Inflyte on Friday followed by the Fabric reunion as the finale with Terry Francis and Howie B and Keith Reily back to back.
Networking is a big part of the BMC ethos and there are plenty of opportunities to meet industry colleagues and connect with like-minded people at the many exclusive networking parties at some of Brighton’s best-loved venues, The official BMC Welcome Party will take place on Wednesday 22nd May at the Tempest Inn, one of Brighton’s best loved beach bars. Hosted by AFEM the event will give attendees the opportunity to network and enjoy the sunset and sea views with complimentary canapes and drinks from 7pm and music courtesy of Mr C, Mutiny, Amber Jolene (Live PA), Queen B and Sarah France.
After each day of the conference, there will be a variety of networking events at some of Brighton's best love venues. On Thursday, DJs getting the party started while guests enjoy the sunset on the i360 Top Deck from 5pm will be Carly Wilford, Just Her, Sarah Monument and Zoe Vice. PRS for Music will host a networking event at The Hotel Pelirocco from 6pm with special guest DJs Brandon Block, Wildblood & Queenie, Caroline the DJ, Ifeoluwa and Harold Heath. Local label Jack Said What / Out Yer Box will also host a networking mixer from 6pm at The Break Point Cafe with DJs Evl Tom and A-Sides (Hip-Hop set). shesaid.so will also return to host a networking breakfast event in collaboration with the NTIA on Thursday morning at the i360 complex giving attendees the chance to make some new connections in a relaxed chilled environment before the conference kicks off.
On Friday, Grahame Farmer will kickstart your day with Blueprint breakfast, a special round table session at the i360 complex for up and coming DJs and artists to build their careers. The NTIA will host a networking event in association with ACS at The Tempest Inn with special guest DJs A Guy Called Gerald, Alex P, Dorian Flagrant, Flambe, Mikee Hollywood, Richard Earnshaw, Ridney, Steve Taylor from 6pm. Decadance will also take over Block Bar from 6:30pm broadcasting live with live sets from Kirbs, Kadio, Koipino, Charmain Love and special guest DJ tba.
If that wasn’t enough, BMC has teamed up with the beachfront underground electronic music venue The Arch for two special events. On Thursday 23rd May Crazy P Soundsystem will be headlining the main evening event as part of the conference programme. With one of the best live dance music shows on the planet, Crazy P have been leaving their mark on the landscape of British dance music for the last 15 years. Fusing slinky underground disco, deep electronic throbs, shimmering pop moments; this is dance music with a voice, a heart, and soul. Crazy P Soundsystem will be on stage at 10.30pm. Support from NOLAN & English Disco Lovers’ Sam Moffatt. On Friday 24th May, BMC and Inflyte present Erol Alkan, Funk D'Void, Size and Friends. Celebrating 10 years of Inflyte Room 1 will feature Erol Alkan, Funk D'Void, Paul Inflyte with Room 2 hosted by Size featuring Larnie B2B Robin, Lola, POoK, Rockets and The Lovely Lucinda.
For the official After Party on Saturday 25th BMC Presents G3T LOO5E in the Bunkr with SAYTEK Live, Larnie, Nina Carina, Lebby, Chema Gonzalez b2b Brunonumerouno Robin.
NEWS & PRESS
Brits spend over £580 a month on entertainment and leisure, but 61% regret social media-driven purchases
A new study from credit card brand Aqua has revealed how Brits are spending on lifestyle, and what drives certain purchases Eating out tops the list of lifestyle spending categories, with over half of Brits indulging in restaurants and takeaways 70% of Brits admit...more
Noctil leverages The MLC’s public musical works database
Noctil leverages The MLC’s public musical works database to give its users the ability to view The MLC’s data for unmatched sound recording products and musical works with unclaimed shares within the Noctil platform The latest in a series of strategic...more
Impala warns of risks to cultural diversity posed by UMG/Downtown deal
A crucial element in reviewing mergers in the music sector is what’s at stake for the ecosystem and cultural diversity. A new paper published by IMPALA predicts that the proposed UMG/Downtown acquisition carries significant risks for both the quantity and...more
Latest PPL Momentum Music Fund and PPL Momentum Sbardun | Accelerator grantees announced
10 talented UK artists in genres including pop, folk, R&B, jazz and rock receiving PPL Momentum Music support These selected grantees mark the 50th round of the landmark fund, supporting 623 artists at a career tipping point since its launch in 2013 4...more
Best performing National Album Day to date
Vinyl LP sales rose 54% over the National Album Day weekend, and were up 23.9% year-on-year A third of the Top 100 Official Vinyl Albums Chart was made up of titles released exclusively for National Album Day 2025, also accounting for...more
Sony Music Publishing UK Renews Exclusive Global Deal with Daecolm
Sony Music Publishing today announced it has renewed an exclusive worldwide publishing agreement with British artist and songwriter Daecolm. The deal renews the company’s long-established partnership with Daecolm, which began in 2016, and covers his existing catalogue and future recordings. In 2024, Daecolm achieved global success with the international hit “I Adore You”...more
KiTbetter Opens First North American Manufacturing Facility for KiTalbums in Los Angeles, California
KiTbetter, the company behind the patented hybrid KiTalbum format that bridges physical and digital music, has opened its first North American manufacturing facility in Los Angeles, California. The new site marks a major milestone in KiTbetter's global expansion. It will...more
Concord Music Publishing signs songwriter-producer Nickname Jos
Today, Concord Music Publishing announced the signing of artist, songwriter, and producer Josef Kuhn, known professionally as Nickname Jos. The universal co-publishing deal, effective immediately, includes Nickname Jos’ full catalog and future works. Nickname Jos is a multitalented performer, songwriter, and producer that has...more
Wear the music, share the joy: Music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins launches Christmas jumper collection
Available now at nordoff-and-robbins.teemill.com A percentage of every sale goes directly to Nordoff and Robbins Endorsed by Nordoff and Robbins Music Ambassador, Edith Bowman Created in partnership with sustainable print on demand platform Teemill Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity, has today...more
IMPF establishes key targets across tech, data and emerging markets at Global Music Summit
Record 650 delegates attended 2025 event.Dates set for 2026 event. The IMPF established a number of key targets and priorities for the independent music publishing community across tech, data and newer markets at this year’s Global Music Summit Palma. Dates have also...more
Sophie Ellis-Bextor features on episode 4 of ‘The Red Carpet Treatment - On The Road Presented by Mastercard’
The Red Carpet Treatment - On The Road Presented by Mastercard Hosted by Luke Hamnett Sophie Ellis-Bextor features on episode 4, out TODAY available to watch in full on @BRITs YouTube or on @BRITs social channels The BRIT Awards with Mastercard today releases the fourth...more
Mercury rises for Sam Fender
WINNING ALBUM, PEOPLE WATCHING, ENJOYS 159% CHART SALES INCREASE IN THE OFFICIAL ALBUMS CHART MIDWEEK DATA UK record labels association the BPI, which organises the Mercury Prize, today reports an increase in demand for Sam Fender’s album People Watching after last week’s acclaimed triumph in his hometown. The...more
Industry Organisations Sign Groundbreaking Seat at The Table Inclusion Pledge
ATC Live and Ginger Owl Among First to Sign Pledge, with The Royal Albert Hall, AEG and The O2 Becoming Industry Champions New Live Sector-Wide Pledge Aims to Achieve Gender-Balanced Leadership and Measurable Progress by 2030 Following the release in April of the ‘Seat...more
EJAE signs with WME
EJAE, the vocalist and songwriter behind KPop Demon Hunter’s #1 hit, “Golden,” has signed with WME for worldwide representation in all areas of her music career. A breakout star of Netflix’s record-shattering animated musical film KPop Demon Hunters, EJAE is the...more
Blue Raincoat Music/Reservoir strikes publishing deal with Molly Drake Estate
Nick Drake Publishing Agreement Renewed Blue Raincoat Music Publishing, in conjunction with Reservoir, have signed a global publishing deal with the estate of songwriter and poet Molly Drake and have renewed their existing publishing deal with her late son, the seminal...more
hmv goes Dutch with new store in The Hague to open before end of the year
Music and popular culture retailer hmv is planning to open its first store in The Netherlands with a new site in The Hague in the latter stages of development. The new store will open its doors before the end of...more
Building on the momentum of its inaugural landmark edition SXSW London Announces it is Open for Business for 2026
SXSW London builds on the success of its inaugural year with its 2026 programme. Passes for access across the festival are now available to purchase on the SXSW London website. The leading European platform for the convergence of technology and the creative...more
Independent Venue Week announce Nova Twins as 2026 Artist Ambassadors
The UK’s annual celebration of independent venues, music and culture will run over 7 days and nights from Monday 26th January to Sunday 1st February Nova Twins will perform an exclusive live show as part of the week’s activities More than 200...more
Leading Entertainment Execs Launch Unit1 Studio, The World's First Independent Avatar Concert Producer
Headed by Barney Wragg (AEG, EMI, Really Useful Group, Universal) Breakthrough CGI and AI technologies deliver digital humans virtually indistinguishable from the artists themselves Unlocks potential for immersive avatar concerts through lower production costs and improved time-to-market Partnership with KT Tunstall ahead of...more
PPL announces Dr. Richard James Burgess MBE as new Chair
PPL has appointed Dr. Richard James Burgess MBE as its new Chair. He will succeed John Smith OBE, effective 5 January 2026. Burgess will lead the PPL Board as the organisation continues to grow as a global leader in neighbouring rights...more
2AM introduces Lenny, the first AI agent redefining audience engagement in live entertainment
After a successful large-scale deployment at Rock en Seine, the Paris-based startup brings AI-native communication to festivals and venues. 2AM unveils Lenny, the first AI agent purpose-built for audience engagement and live event operations, covering the full audience journey - before,...more
Tickets For Good bolsters international growth with appointment of veteran ticketing executive Henk Schuit as European board advisor
The ADE Conference Startups alumni reveals latest Netherlands expansion news. TfG boasts almost 600k registered healthcare workers, teachers, and charity workers across UK, EU and U.S. It's distributed 1million+ free and discounted tickets from 1,000+ live event partners, including Dua Lipa, Idles,...more
KiTbetter and Duran Duran Deliver First-Ever Dolby Atmos Upgrade to a Physical Album
Groundbreaking upgrade to 2023's 'Danse Macabre: De Luxe' KiTalbum marks a new era for physical-digital music formats KiTbetter, the company reshaping physical music for the digital era, today announced a world first: the upgrade of a previously released physical album to...more
Yoto Launches David Bowie Card: Introducing the Legendary Artist to a New Generation
Yoto's latest addition to its growing popular music offering is filled with the immortal icon's classic songs Yoto, the award-winning audio platform for kids, today announced the launch of a new Yoto card featuring the timeless work of David Bowie. With...more
The Other Songs announce team expansion
Global independent music and entertainment company The Other Songs have announced the exciting expansion of their team as they recruit music industry executives Louis Brown, joining as General Manager, and Raju Watts, joining as Financial Director. Speaking on today’s news, founders...more
Day Fever partners with Ticketmaster’s Universe
Day Fever, the acclaimed daytime clubbing brand, has entered into a multi-year partnership with Ticketmaster’s white-label ticketing platform Universe, making the company its exclusive ticketing partner.Through the partnership, Day Fever will tap into Universe’s all-in-one ticketing and marketing platform, delivering...more
Simon Dunmore Partners with Armada Music to Launch New Label, NBT Records
The imprint will operate from Armada’s brand-new creative hub in London Acclaimed industry figure Simon Dunmore and Armada Music, the world’s biggest independent dance music label, have partnered to launch NBT Records – a brand-new label dedicated to soulful, dancefloor-driven records. Formed...more
Moises and Cory Henry Launch Global Music Competition with $50,000 in Prizes
Jam Sessions Invites Musicians Worldwide to Reimagine GRAMMY Winner's Track Through AI-Powered Tools Moises, Apple's 2024 iPad App of the Year, today launched Jam Sessions, a global music competition connecting artists, producers, and creators through AI-powered music technology. The inaugural edition...more
rightsHUB unveils tool to transform data ingestion process, signs Artist Theory alongside deal renewals with Believe, Defected and others
- New tool, rightsDROP, allows labels and publishers to optimise collection of metadata and resources via single point of entry or releases - rightsHUB now provides a fully end-to-end solution to streamline flow of rights data and assets- Artist Theory (Sam...more
Madi Diaz signs global co-publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and Crush Music Publishing
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter’s new album, ‘Fatal Optimist,’ out now First signing to Crush’s newly-launched publishing division Warner Chappell Music (WCM) and Crush Music Publishing (CMP) today announced a global co-publishing deal with acclaimed singer-songwriter Madi Diaz. She is the first signing to Crush’s newly-launched...more
THE HEADLINES
The “forever” stakes of generative AI ownership (see Comment)
Lyor Cohen: AI won’t replace artists — it will make them unstoppable (see Opinion)
Omdia tips music publishers’ revenues to hit $10bn this year (see Reports)
Unit1 Studio launches offering potential for immersive avatar concerts through lower production costs (see Digital)
Are we still in the music business? When your POV is worth more than your mp3s (see Opinion)
Is rock’n’roll dead? (see Features)
Book extract: Body Of Work: How The Album Outplayed The Algorithm And Survived Playlist Culture (see Comment)
With MTV channels switching off, is the music video under threat? (see Features)
Spotify partnering with multinational music companies to develop ‘responsible’ AI products (see Digital)
Sam Fender wins 2025 Mercury Prize (see News)
Spotify working on ‘SongDNA’ feature that showcases the people behind tracks (see Digital)
How far should cultural boycotts go? (see Features)
How Subvert is building a co-op owned Bandcamp alternative (see Digital)
Lucian Grainge outlines UMG’s strategy for generative AI partnerships and product development (see News)
The future of music streaming: Change or be changed (see Comment)
Sam Altman: the man who stole the rights from copyright. If he’s the future, can we go backwards? (see Features)