Room: Downstairs Theatre, Ground Floor

Panelists: Ian Neil (Music Supervisor), Amelia Hartley (Head of Music Supervision, Banijay Group)

Moderator: Mark Gordon (Score Draw Music)

High-end television and film are two places where a key music placement can move the needle on an independent artist. From shows that have a defined sound and connected music-hungry viewership (such as the music placed on the genre-defining Peaky Blinders, through to high budget films (where a placement can put a band on tour with the front fees) how can new and emerging bands and songwriters find ways to access this opportunity? Two of the UK’s most successful and pre-eminent music supervisors sit down for a fireside chat (and possibly a Guinness) to discuss all.

Room: Upstairs Theatre, First Floor

Panelists: Kev Douch (Big Scary Monsters, Alcopop!), Dillon O’Brien (Fooligan, Makeshift Art Bar), Sophie Shaw (Social Sounds, DJ), Ruby Tingle (No Such Thing Records), Danni Skerritt (No Such Thing Records)

Moderator: Brian Coney (The Thin Air, Junk Drawer)

Every year artists are expected to do more and more before working with a third-party. Manage themselves, write and record their own album. Book their own tour. Make their own videos. Build and maintain their own websites and social media portals. Do their own graphic design. What is possible in 2025 and how can artists best use free resources to grow and expand their value?

Room: The Factory, Sixth Floor

Panelists: Tara Carroll (Genuine Irish), Saul Duffin (Yeo Magazine), Cian McGivern (The Rock Revival), Fiona McAuley (BMG)

Moderator: Dylan Murphy (Mabfield)

This panel looks at the powerful ways artists can harness social platforms to build authentic connections, enhance their career trajectory, and maintain creative control in the digital age. The panelists will discuss how social media has evolved from a mere promotional tool to an essential artistic canvas where musicians can showcase their identity, connect directly with fans, and create communities around their work.

Social media specialists will share insights on how artists are leveraging platforms like Instagram and TikTok to cultivate genuine relationships with their audience while avoiding the pitfalls of algorithm-chasing and engagement bait. This enlightening conversation addresses the balance between strategic content planning and spontaneous sharing, the importance of platform-specific approaches, and techniques for maintaining mental wellbeing whilst navigating digital spaces.

Room: The Works, Fourth Floor

Panelists: Olli Dutton (Plugger, Obscene Strategies - English Teacher, Sprints, Kate Nash), Luke Gray (Your Army), Sheena Madden (Amplify), Rebecca Breene McDonnell (Rubyworks)

Moderator: Aaron Casey (RAAP)

Radio in the UK and Ireland is still one of the most accessible ways for new music to prosper, from playlisting on specialised stations both national and regional (and the benefits that come from this) through to daytime plays, acoustic sessions in studios, interviews, and critically being part of the ecosystem of radio presenters (many of whom have side-hustles in record labels, club nights, blogs, management and other music opportunities. This panel will demystify the landscape with key voices in the sector who engage with new and emerging music.

Room: Oh Yeah Centre

Panelists: Alice Adams Lemon (Equity), Caroline Sewel (Musicians’ Union), Joel Harkin (Artist)

Moderator: Robbie McCammon (Reger)

Freelancers and self-employed musicians form the backbone of the music industry—yet too often they’re left without protection or support. This panel, featuring representatives from The Musicians’ Union, Equity and working musicians, will shed light on how freelance status leaves artists vulnerable to exploitation, late payments, poor working conditions, and undervaluation. Together, we’ll explore why collective action and union representation matter, and what practical steps musicians can take to protect themselves and advocate for fair treatment. If you’re a self-employed artist navigating today’s music industry, this conversation is essential to understanding your rights—and your power.

Room: The Hub, Fourth Floor

In Conversation With: André Marmot

Moderator: Dana Masters

A lively, subversive history of the new UK jazz wave, encapsulating its revolutionary spirit and tracing its foundations to the birth of the genre itself. For many in the nineties, jazz was viewed as an obsolete, uncool genre, loved by out of touch white men with deeply questionable taste.

And yet, by 2019, a new generation of UK jazz musicians were selling out major venues and appearing on festivals line-ups around the world.

How has UK jazz regenerated its image so totally in twenty-five years? And how did it ever become uncool in the first place?

Room: The Den, Sixth Floor

Grant Hutchison (Frightened Rabbit) in conversation with Eoghan O’Hagan (Music Support)

Music Support, the charity that helps anyone who works in the UK music industry experiencing challenges with substance use, addiction and/or mental health, invites you to join us for a special discussion with Frightened Rabbit musician, Grant Hutchison. Grant will share his experience of the highs and lows of being a part of one of the UK’s most accomplished indie rock bands, including the tragic passing of lead singer, and his brother, Scott, in 2018. Grant is dedicated to honouring Scott’s legacy, breaking down barriers and challenging stigmas attached to mental health within the music industry (and beyond). 

The conversation will be hosted by Music Support’s Support Services Manager, Eoghan O’Hagan, who will share the ways in which the charity supports the wellbeing of our UK music industry community. 

Please note, the discussion will approach the topic of suicide. If you work within the UK music industry and are triggered by this, or anything else discussed, Music Support’s Helpline is available Monday – Friday, 9am - 5pm on 0800 030 6789, or call 24/7 to book a call back. You can also email helpline@musicsupport.org. The Samaritans are also available to anyone 24/7 on 116 123 or email jo@smaritans.org