The Programme

Day One - 9 October
 
10.00 – 11.20 Breaking and Entering
Confirmed panellists include: Jon Mcildowie (Promotions Director, Mean Fiddler/MAMA Group), Allan North (Owner, Plum Promotions)

The emerging artiste sector continues to thrive with a consistently high level of interest from radio, TV and brands. Promoters, managers and aspiring talent are using innovative grassroots techniques to establish viable artiste careers, often in the absence of conventional record labels.

With the live sector almost exclusively responsible for producing the music industry’s new talent, this panel will examine the key factors to maintaining the sector’s vibrancy. 
   
11.30 – 12.30 For The Greener Good

It started with the festivals, but eco-friendly and sustainable considerations are moving through the live sector, with both artistes and music fans looking to play their part in saving the planet. This panel explores the aspirations and realities of being environmentally respectful within an industry that relies on global touring and huge open-air events.
   
11.30 – 12.30 Eye of the Media
Confirmed panellists include: Jim Benner (Head of Events, Xfm), Matt Cook (Director of Talent & Music, MTV)

With the media's eye still sharply focussed on live music and many artistes continuing to benefit from comprehensive radio and TV coverage, how long can this seemingly symbiotic relationship last?

This session will explore how the media sees its long-term involvement with live music and how the live sector can maintain their interests.
12:30 – 14:20 

Full buffet lunch
13.30 – 14.15 The State of the Union

The campus network has been a vital part of the country’s live music scene across four decades and the NUS Services-promoted uLive initiative is intended to give it a major boost. Organised by the uLive team, this panel features key players operating in the campus circuit.s.
   
14.20 – 15.30

The Golden Ticket
Confirmed panellists include: Nick Blackburn (MD, See Tickets), Chris Edmonds (MD, Ticketmaster), Eric Baker (CEO, Viagogo), Peter Elliot (MD, Primary Talent International), Joe Cohen (MD, Seatwave), Peter Monks (Business Development Manager, The Ticket Factory/NEC Group), Dave Newton (MD, We Got Tickets)

As the battle over secondary ticketing subsides, resale companies have emerged with new allies and a greater level of acceptability, while some even have an eye on becoming primary outlets. 

Meanwhile, the mainstream primary sector is fragmenting as smaller operations challenge the majors with new technology solutions across various media.
15:30 – 15:50 Coffee break
15.50 – 16.35

Critical Mass
Confirmed panellists include: Daryl Robinson (Manager, Academy Events/Academy Music Group), Steve Jenner (MD, Virtual Festivals)

The financial lifeblood of the live sector derives almost entirely from a single source – the music fan.  The ‘fan experience’ has always extended from ticket purchase, through food, drink and merchandise to the journey home, and some promoters and venue operators now participate in the wider process.

With an economic downturn upon us, this panel examines how to retain fan loyalty and keep them captivated without exploitation.
   
16.35 – 17.30

The Touring Game
The primary purpose of touring has traditionally been to promote record sales and generate comprehensive media coverage in a controlled environment. But with the record industry in flux, tour support in short supply and a surfeit of festival activity, does the old model need a rethink?

This panel will bring together agents, promoters, record executives, merchandisers, instant CD firms and the PR community to discuss core strategies driving this vital sector.


DAY Two - 10 October

10.00 – 11.20 We’re With The B(r)and
Confirmed panellists include: Sarah Tinsley (Global Experiential Brand Manager, Bacardi), Dave Roberts (Head of Entertainment, M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment), Robert Guterman (MD, Big Fish)

While the branding of live music events and venues is not a new phenomenon, it has experienced widespread growth in recent years and often provides much needed financial support for tours, venues and artistes.

Does excessive branding affect artistic credibility and can it limit creativity? This session will debate the positive and negative effects of branding within the live sector.
   
11.30 – 12.30 Going Global
Confirmed panellists include: Neil Warnock, (CEO, The Agency Group), Phil Patterson (Export Promoter - UK Music, UK Trade & Investment)
While record sales face a steep decline, the live sector continues to thrive internationally with UK artistes often at the forefront.  In the internet age when an act can have a fan base in a territory they have never visited or released product, has the challenge of breaking out of the country become easier.

This session will examine the critical factors in going global, with an emphasis on the challenges of international touring.
12:30 – 14:20 

Full buffet lunch
13.30 – 14.15 The Professionals

Often overlooked when awards are handed out, accountants, insurance brokers, safety officers and lawyers provide essential services that are vital to the smooth-running of the live music sector. This panel acknowledges the companies and individuals that deal with the paperwork and regulations that most others are keen to avoid.
   
14.20 – 15.30

The Producers
From sound, lighting, staging and transportation, production has always been an inherent part of creating the live experience and British companies have been world leaders in these sectors for decades.

Do fans want ever-more lavish shows and can artistes and the industry afford to keep meeting this demand? This session will examine the process of getting a major show on the road, from conception through development to the build and performance.
15:30 – 15:50 Coffee break
15.50 – 16.35

Fields of Gold?
Confirmed panellists include: Stuart Galbraith (CEO, Kilimanjaro Live), Chris Greenwood (Director, The Big Chill)

The number of festivals in the UK continues to grow, but some observers believe the market has become saturated and next year will see a widespread fall-out.

While giant festivals driven by major headliners feel relatively safe, are boutique events such as Big Chill, Latitude, Bestival and The Glade the best answer to retaining fan loyalty and prospering further down the scale?
   
16.35 – 17.30

Tomorrow’s World
With the term 360 rapidly falling out of common usage, despite Live Nation’s innovative multiple-stream deals, what does tomorrow hold? Will the traditional model of a central manager surrounded by assorted experts see the balance of power more evenly spread?

Meanwhile the evolving dynamics of ticketing, a growing awareness of environmental issues and the success of arena residencies are also having a significant impact on the landscape.

The organiser reserves the right to alter sessions times and content at its discretion.


You will need to be there