Concert News

SOUND CITY announces industry-leading SOUND CITY+ CONFERENCE

• 31st Mar 2022

Established as the definitive new music discovery weekend that points the way to the future of the music industry we know today, Sound City continues to build anticipation ahead of its 15th Anniversary celebrations with full details of its Sound City+ Conference – taking place from Friday 29th April and kickstarting the festival weekend with a full programme of insights, discussions and panels pointing towards the future of the music industry.

Taking place in 2022 across 4 venues FACT Liverpool, LEAF, Phase One and The Jacaranda in Liverpool City Centre, Sound City+ is an unrivalled conference weekend full of cutting-edge discussions, insightful panels & debates and the perfect melting pot for influential industry leaders to come together to learn and discuss the future trends and paths coming to shape the wider music world. Its 2019 edition saw over 2,000 delegates converge on the city, with over 90 different speakers from over 30 countries bringing their knowledge and learnings to the conference – for a unique opportunity of global collaboration and discussion.

The first opportunity for the UK industry to collaborate for a day full of discussions and insights in 2022, this year’s programme tackles the key issues and opportunities that face the music industry in the years ahead. Curated in collaboration with the celebrated minds and champions of AIM (Association Of Independent Music), this year’s conference covers a vast array of topics and discussion points – from the perspective of artists, labels, vital industry programmes and much more. From AWAL ACADEMY bringing their AWAL Expert Sessions to the Conference for a series of talks, panels and in conversation moments, to festival partners Keychange diving into panels on gender equality and safe spaces in the music industry – every topic and talking point is covered at an event vital for those not only working in the industry but looking to make that next step in their own careers, whether that’s behind or in front of the microphone.

Highlights announced include:

The AWAL Academy Expert Sessions
Responsible for some of the most innovative steps seen in the recorded music industry over the past few years, AWAL will bring their expertise to the Sound City+ Conference – co-curating a series of sessions/talks. The artist services company will be sharing their insights and expertise over a number of different programming across the day, including:

How To Smash It On Streaming Services (hosted by Francesca Burton) With Robin Richards (Manager, Global Commercial Partnerships at AWAL) & Joel Borquaye (Editor at Spotify)
How do I get my message across on social platforms? (hosted by Aaron Bogucki) Lisa Young In (Manager Audience Development at AWAL)
Meet The Manager – A Conversation With Rob Swerdlow (with Stephanie Achigbu (AWAL)
Who’s listening? How we Grow an Audience! (hosted by Aaron Bogucki) With Joe Edwards (Director, Marketing at AWAL), Francesca Burton (International Marketing Director, AWAL) and Corbyn Asbury (Youtube)

Keychange Presents
Continuing its long-standing relationship as a lead UK festival partner with this years theme of IGNITE, INSPIRE, EMPOWER. Keychange heads to the Sound City+ Conference for some hotly anticipated discussions and panels focusing firmly on representation within the music industry and the next steps for its pioneering campaign work. This includes Lead By Example – a chance to discuss the importance of women and gender minority role models and leaders in the music industry and the experiences/paths that have created some of those prominent industry game-changers. Keychange also will be running a special workshop titled How Do We Make The Music Industry A Safer Space For All? – where members are encouraged to define and develop practices to ensure improved safe spaces and safe practices that can tangibly be actioned in the months ahead.

In Conversation With Simon Moran
A true pioneer in the live music industry, SJM Concerts Managing Director Simon Moran has been involved in the biggest live moments of the past 30 years. From festivals and huge stadium shows, to his work as a director for Academy Music Group – his influence on music in the UK and beyond is immeasurable, with a storied career featuring a who’s who of the biggest artists in the world. A unique opportunity to hear the tales, challenges and insight direct from the man himself – it’s a must-attend part of the Sound City+ Conference.

Music Video Marketing Masterclass with VEVO
In today’s digital world, impactful, attention-grabbing content is a key driver for success. The team at Vevo, the world’s leading music video network, are experts in all aspects of marketing and promotion, leading the charge with innovative, data-backed capabilities to help artist’s careers get to the next level of exposure. Their team will explain best practices, current video trends, tips and tricks for artists and more. Learn the most effective processes first hand with step-by-step walk-throughs around playlisting, editorial support and distribution to expose your music to millions of potential audiences around the globe. Gain a deeper understanding from the experts about viewership trends and promotional opportunities Vevo offers artists at every stage of their career.

Demystifying Tech: NFTs, Blockchain and Crypto – Why So Cryptic?
The Demystifying Tech session aims to throw new light on how technology is discussed at music industry conferences. There will be no sales pitch from the latest tech company trying to sell you their services. Instead, this session will aim to have an open discussion about the benefits, but also the risks involved with technology – no holding back, it’s time for the music industry to control the tech!

This session will largely focus on the current hot topic of NFT’s, and the underlying systems of Blockchain and Crypto. For a number of years now, many have hailed blockchain as the ‘saviour of tech’, but the reality is that it is struggling to gain traction, showing up mostly in relatively short-lived tech start-ups. Most recently, NFT’s have been hitting the news, with stories showing both major successes and failures. New ideas are coming up all the time on how an NFT can benefit the music industry, but what actually are NFT’s, and are they the right technology to build these new ideas on, or is it that people are just jumping on the bandwagon of the latest buzzword?

The session will be led by a specialist who will start with an overview of the technology, breaking it down to remove the smoke and mirrors for all to understand. Once the foundations have been laid, the session will become an interactive forum where questions will be answered and concerns addressed without the fear of being ‘sold’ to.

Music On Twitch
The leading live interactive entertainment service that’s broadcasting to the world, Twitch is another new revolutionary playground for music creatives to dive into. In this workshop, learn how to build your community of superfans, how Twitch can open new doors for artists and creators, how to monetise your live content and tap into new audiences among the gaming community – all led by Twitch’s own Anna Gruszka.

Young Music Boss In-Conversation With… Despa Robinson (BE83 Music Group) and Kane Dunn (Eyes On The Pies MGMT)
Join us as we dive into the minds of the UK’s hottest music entrepreneurs whose independent music businesses have launched the careers of Jaykae, Dapz on the Map, Meekz Manny, and Bossman Birdie. In between chart topping hits, sold out arena tours and magazine covers, there is a journey of discovery, education, failure, experimenting, risk-taking, and extreme passion. We will explore the twists and turns of pursuing a sustainable career in music, what it takes to run your own music business and manage artists as well as navigating the ever-changing landscape. And finally, we will discuss the all-important question: ‘Do you have to move to London to make it in music?’

Young Music Boss is a resource hub and network building tool for young music entrepreneurs and creatives. YMB aims to prepare the next generation of music industry professionals as well as build an alliance among young music creatives, entrepreneurs and relevant music associations. At the heart of YMB is the desire to empower young professionals through our online content, events, educational tools and consultancy services.
https://www.youngmusicboss.com

With further panels and workshops including the LCR Music Board Gender Equality panel bringing together a range of figures from the region to discuss their work in improving equality across the region, ‘Music Climate Pact – How the global music industry is getting its house in order’ delving into the steps those within the industry can make in improving its environmental impact in its own practices and Tileyard Education in conversation with Faithless (Sister Bliss) – it ensures that this year’s Sound City+ Conference is one filled with extraordinary insights, knowledge waiting to be embraced across a variety of the most pressing subjects in the music industry and the perfect opportunity to connect with future partners and industry heads alike.

Full information on the Sound City+ Conference 2022 can be found here:
https://plus.soundcity.uk.com/

Unlike any other music industry conference, Sound City+ offers the opportunity to meet leading industry figureheads and trailblazing creatives/organisers all in one space – as the best in independent music and industry leaders come together in one place for the perfect opportunity to do business around the globe. Since 2008, over £30 million worth of contracts have been signed whilst at Sound City+, with 2019’s delegates coming from across the UK and the world to meet in one place. Offering a chance to meet exciting new innovators in their respective fields, if you’re an industry figure looking to move the needle – Sound City+ is where it can all begin.

The Sound City+ Conference kicks off the celebrations for an unforgettable weekend at Sound City – returning across Liverpool City Centre to celebrate its 15th Birthday in style with an incredible lineup pointing to the artists and sounds set to soundtrack the summer to come and the years ahead. Not only discussing the vital points and topics the industry faces right now, but also a chance to catch the best in new music from thrilling new names and widely acclaimed leaders alike – it makes for the perfect musical weekend to start off the summer. From headliners Self Esteem and The Lathums to the likes of Yard Act, Mae Muller, Alfie Templeman, Baby Queen, Matt Maltese, Crawlers, The Reytons, Phoebe Green, Brooke Combe, Kawala, Matilda Mann, TV Priest, Abby Roberts, Chilli Jesson, Rose Gray, Rianne Downey, Speedboat and many more – to incredible stage takeovers from Bella Union (celebrating its 25th Anniversary with a special showcase at Sound City featuring Tim Burgess), Jack Saunders’ raucous Hopscotch night, Sentric Music’s Back On The Road showcase and the Bundo Sessions (intimate free-to-access live music in the taste-bud tingling Bundobust restaurant) to name but a few – Sound City is unrivalled as bringing the best new names and faces to fans… first.