Member Article

North East music industry boosted with return of Music Futures

The Sage Gateshead will next week play host to the returning ‘Music Futures’ event, aimed at engaging individuals developing business acumen within the music industry.

Now in its fifth year, and following on from its 2014 sell out, the conference will take place at the Sage Gateshead venue on Thursday 12th November.

Organised and hosted by Newcastle-based national music agency Generator, working in partnership with Echo Events, Music Futures is set to shine a light on how the longstanding and increasingly productive relationships between the tech world and global music industry players are developing.

From the vinyl revival and the rise in popularity of streaming, all of the way to the future of music publishing, retail, distribution and radio, the conference will see laser guided analysis and debate surrounding all of the major themes and topics that shape the modern musical landscape.

Generator’s CEO, Jim Mawdsley, explained: “In keeping with Music Futures’ ambition and growing reputation, this year we are moving venue to the Sage Gateshead for what will be our greatest event yet. This conference aims to become an international platform to establish where the industry is heading.

“Things are changing on a daily basis and new players, particularly from the more technology-based sectors, are getting involved. It is our intention with Music Futures to aim high and ensure that some of the industry’s leading players and experts in their fields share their latest thinking in the sector.

“Music Futures is for anyone who is serious about developing their business in the ever-changing landscape of today’s Music Industry.

“If you’re a music business in the North East, this is an amazing opportunity for you to hear from industry leaders and progressive thinkers in the music industry outline what they see as the next developments in the business of music.

“This conference offers a perfect opportunity to network with people from all over the UK, discuss the challenges we face as well as the opportunities and discover how we can all improve our businesses and the way we work.

“High end insight into where our industry is headed. We have CEOs and MDs of major international companies speaking across all of the panels, presentations and fireside chats. If they can’t demonstrate what the future holds, then I’m not sure who can.”

Geoff Taylor, CEO of leading recorded industry representation body BPI (British Phonographic Industry), will lead the conference, and is set to deliver a keynote speech that will outline the continuing challenges and opportunities the industry will face as the ever-shifting sands of the digital age continue.

Joining him to offer perspectives on the four cornerstones of the industry, A&R, Publishing, Retail and indeed broadcast (in an age of increased streaming) will be leading lights such as Alison Donald, Co-President, Columbia Records, Jim Chancellor, MD Fiction Records and joint MD of Caroline International; Chris Meehan, CEO Sentric Music; Federico Bolza, VP Strategy, Sony Music and former head of Sony Music UK, Nick Gatfield plus many more.

Geoff Taylor said: ’“The music industry is constantly adapting its business models to take advantage of new technology and to offer consumers new ways to engage with music.

“This makes forward-looking conferences such as Music Futures vital to help us anticipate future trends and understand their implications for the whole music ecosystem. Music Futures is now a major event in our music industry calendar and I am very much looking forward to delivering its keynote address this year.”

HMV, BPI (British Phonographic Industry), AIM (Association of Independent Music), Sentric Music, Tunecore, PPL and the Musicians Union have been confirmed as event sponsors with Help Musicians confirmed as the conference charity partner.