Are you looking to kickstart 2020 by breathing new life into your music career?
We've rounded up the best free, affordable and member-discounted conferences, workshops and festivals taking place across the country, designed for those ready to take the next steps in shaping their career.
If you're looking to break into the music industry, you're not sure exactly what your next move should be, or you simply want to meet some like-minded people, take advantage of one of the events listed below.
Getting To Know: Help Musicians NI
What?
Leading independent music charity, Help Musicians Northern Ireland, are hosting a workshop to give an overview of how they can support students. They will be covering topics such as creative funding, health and welfare, joining the team and further information about the charity.
HMNI works to improve the industry through partnerships with like-minded organisations across musical genres, and supports artists directly through their various creative funding opportunities, health and welfare offerings and industry-related learning events throughout the year.
Where and when?
University Square, Belfast. Wednesday, 15 January 2020.
How much?
Free.
Help Musicians will be hosting a similar event in Dundee 13 February. Click here for more information.
#BOX4 Ann Harrison: Music Business 101
What?
Music industry powerhouse, Ann Harrison, is giving an exclusive talk on all things music business. Ann is admired across the industry for her book Music: The Business, which now in its seventh edition. The book has become a must-have manual for any aspiring musician, executive or creative professional.
Where and when?
London College of Creative Media (LCCM), Southwark. Thursday, 23 January 2020.
How much?
£3 for college, sixth form or university students with valid Student ID. £5 for General Admission.
Womxn in Music
What?
Come Play With Me, Grrls Do That Too and PRS For Music present an afternoon of discussion and celebration of womxn involved in the music industry. Panels will cover early careers, Imposter Syndrome and the Come Play With Me Live Selection. The event will be followed by a (separately ticketed) gig featuring Big Joanie, GENN and Lunar Sounds.
Where and when?
Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds. Saturday, 25 January 2020.
How much?
Free with donations welcomed.
SMIA Workshops: An Introduction to Music Publishing
What?
As part of SMIA's innovation-led development programme, designed to help nurture business talent and build infrastructure in Scotland's music industry, they are hosting a 'Introduction to Music Publishing' workshop.
Kayleigh McLaughlan and Susan Montgomery of 23rd Precinct will be there to answer your questions on songwriting, the wider world of music publishing, licensing, synchronisations, co-writing, collaborations, songwriting camps and tracking money.
Where and when?
Creative East End, Glasgow. Thursday, 30 January 2020.
How much?
Free.
London Music Conference 2020
What?
LMC20 is a curated culture platform designed to further electronic music, foster creativity and create innovative solutions; to offer thought provoking panels, interactive talks, awards, demos and workshopse. LMC20 offers artists immediate, tangible opportunities to activate releases, get paid gigs, win awards and find new fans.
The full program also comprises night time events and showcases at some of the city's most esteemed music venues, to be announced closer to the event.
Where and when?
Fabric, Farringdon. Thursday, 30 January - Saturday 1 February 2020.
How much?
Early bird delegate passes can be purchased for £99.00. PRS for Music members can claim a further discount here.
London Remixed Festival & Community Music 2020
What?
The London Remixed Festival have teamed up with youth and community music organisation, Community Music (CM), to provide a day of remix workshops.
The day will include two beginners sessions on the basics of remixing, and two advanced sessions where producers and beatmakers will be demonstrate their techniques in the studio.
Where and when?
The Brady Arts Centre, Hanbury Street. Saturday, 1 February 2020.
How much?
Free.
We've rounded up the best free, affordable and member-discounted conferences, workshops and festivals taking place across the country, designed for those ready to take the next steps in shaping their career.
If you're looking to break into the music industry, you're not sure exactly what your next move should be, or you simply want to meet some like-minded people, take advantage of one of the events listed below.
Getting To Know: Help Musicians NI
What?
Leading independent music charity, Help Musicians Northern Ireland, are hosting a workshop to give an overview of how they can support students. They will be covering topics such as creative funding, health and welfare, joining the team and further information about the charity.
HMNI works to improve the industry through partnerships with like-minded organisations across musical genres, and supports artists directly through their various creative funding opportunities, health and welfare offerings and industry-related learning events throughout the year.
Where and when?
University Square, Belfast. Wednesday, 15 January 2020.
How much?
Free.
Help Musicians will be hosting a similar event in Dundee 13 February. Click here for more information.
#BOX4 Ann Harrison: Music Business 101
What?
Music industry powerhouse, Ann Harrison, is giving an exclusive talk on all things music business. Ann is admired across the industry for her book Music: The Business, which now in its seventh edition. The book has become a must-have manual for any aspiring musician, executive or creative professional.
Where and when?
London College of Creative Media (LCCM), Southwark. Thursday, 23 January 2020.
How much?
£3 for college, sixth form or university students with valid Student ID. £5 for General Admission.
Womxn in Music
What?
Come Play With Me, Grrls Do That Too and PRS For Music present an afternoon of discussion and celebration of womxn involved in the music industry. Panels will cover early careers, Imposter Syndrome and the Come Play With Me Live Selection. The event will be followed by a (separately ticketed) gig featuring Big Joanie, GENN and Lunar Sounds.
Where and when?
Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds. Saturday, 25 January 2020.
How much?
Free with donations welcomed.
SMIA Workshops: An Introduction to Music Publishing
What?
As part of SMIA's innovation-led development programme, designed to help nurture business talent and build infrastructure in Scotland's music industry, they are hosting a 'Introduction to Music Publishing' workshop.
Kayleigh McLaughlan and Susan Montgomery of 23rd Precinct will be there to answer your questions on songwriting, the wider world of music publishing, licensing, synchronisations, co-writing, collaborations, songwriting camps and tracking money.
Where and when?
Creative East End, Glasgow. Thursday, 30 January 2020.
How much?
Free.
London Music Conference 2020
What?
LMC20 is a curated culture platform designed to further electronic music, foster creativity and create innovative solutions; to offer thought provoking panels, interactive talks, awards, demos and workshopse. LMC20 offers artists immediate, tangible opportunities to activate releases, get paid gigs, win awards and find new fans.
The full program also comprises night time events and showcases at some of the city's most esteemed music venues, to be announced closer to the event.
Where and when?
Fabric, Farringdon. Thursday, 30 January - Saturday 1 February 2020.
How much?
Early bird delegate passes can be purchased for £99.00. PRS for Music members can claim a further discount here.
London Remixed Festival & Community Music 2020
What?
The London Remixed Festival have teamed up with youth and community music organisation, Community Music (CM), to provide a day of remix workshops.
The day will include two beginners sessions on the basics of remixing, and two advanced sessions where producers and beatmakers will be demonstrate their techniques in the studio.
Where and when?
The Brady Arts Centre, Hanbury Street. Saturday, 1 February 2020.
How much?
Free.
Music Industry Careers Fest
What?
Music Industry Careers Fest is a day long conference run by Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. The event offers interactive and informative sessions on topics that include performance, composition, conducting, production, management, technology, education and business.
Where and when?
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Liverpool. Saturday, 1 February 2020.
How much?
£5.00.
SAFO Music Group's Networking Night
What?
SAFO Music Group hosts monthly Networking Evenings on the first Monday of every month. This is a great opportunity for artists and music industry professionals to build their network of contacts and learn invaluable industry advice.
Part of the evening includes speed listening sessions where artists and producers will have the opportunity to play their music and gain some valuable feedback.
Where and when?
SAFO Music Group HQ, Crouch Hill. Monday, February 3 2020.
How much?
Free.
Make Music Day 2020 – Wales Network Event
What?
Make Music Day is a grassroots DIY festival of music that takes place 21 June every year. Anyone can perform or organise an event.
At this networking event, there will be representatives from Make Music Day UK and Making Music talking about previous Make Music Days in the UK and Cardiff.
This is an opportunity for musicians of all genres of music, and professional or amateur, young or old, music groups, arts organisations, community organisations, venues, businesses to discuss how to get involved.
Where and when?
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff. Wednesday, 5 February 2020.
How much?
Free.
Music Industry Unmasked
What?
NYMAZ is hosting an evening of interactive presentations, live performance and Q&A sessions people aged 16 to 25 years with an interest in developing a career in the Music industry.
Participants can take the opportunity to speak with the professionals who work in the creative sector – and discover how they can develop their own career, exploring progression pathways and current opportunities available.
Where and when?
Pavilions Of Harrogate, Harrogate. Thursday, 6 February 2020.
How much?
Free.
Music Alignment Voice Coaching Clinic
What?
Vocal coach and artist developer, Matt B. Thorns, is offering a monthly voice coaching clinic for aspiring artists. In these workshops, you will learn how to develop your vocal abilities and how you can link your skills with specific aspects of the music industry.
Where and when?
Elephant and Castle, London. Thursday, 6 February 2020.
How much?
Sessions are donation-based.
What?
Music Industry Careers Fest is a day long conference run by Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. The event offers interactive and informative sessions on topics that include performance, composition, conducting, production, management, technology, education and business.
Where and when?
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Liverpool. Saturday, 1 February 2020.
How much?
£5.00.
SAFO Music Group's Networking Night
What?
SAFO Music Group hosts monthly Networking Evenings on the first Monday of every month. This is a great opportunity for artists and music industry professionals to build their network of contacts and learn invaluable industry advice.
Part of the evening includes speed listening sessions where artists and producers will have the opportunity to play their music and gain some valuable feedback.
Where and when?
SAFO Music Group HQ, Crouch Hill. Monday, February 3 2020.
How much?
Free.
Make Music Day 2020 – Wales Network Event
What?
Make Music Day is a grassroots DIY festival of music that takes place 21 June every year. Anyone can perform or organise an event.
At this networking event, there will be representatives from Make Music Day UK and Making Music talking about previous Make Music Days in the UK and Cardiff.
This is an opportunity for musicians of all genres of music, and professional or amateur, young or old, music groups, arts organisations, community organisations, venues, businesses to discuss how to get involved.
Where and when?
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff. Wednesday, 5 February 2020.
How much?
Free.
Music Industry Unmasked
What?
NYMAZ is hosting an evening of interactive presentations, live performance and Q&A sessions people aged 16 to 25 years with an interest in developing a career in the Music industry.
Participants can take the opportunity to speak with the professionals who work in the creative sector – and discover how they can develop their own career, exploring progression pathways and current opportunities available.
Where and when?
Pavilions Of Harrogate, Harrogate. Thursday, 6 February 2020.
How much?
Free.
Music Alignment Voice Coaching Clinic
What?
Vocal coach and artist developer, Matt B. Thorns, is offering a monthly voice coaching clinic for aspiring artists. In these workshops, you will learn how to develop your vocal abilities and how you can link your skills with specific aspects of the music industry.
Where and when?
Elephant and Castle, London. Thursday, 6 February 2020.
How much?
Sessions are donation-based.
Developing Your Live Show (For Musicians) / Music Networking
What?
Forté Project & Creative Republic of Cardiff are hosting a workshop on the basics of live shows and sound from an engineer/tour manager's perspective, relating it to musicians.
It will include practical demonstrations on mic technique, feedback, different setups, performance and more. The session will end with a Q&A so come prepared.
Where and when?
The Moon, Womanby Street, Cardiff. Wednesday, 12 February 2020.
How much?
Free.
Digital Marketing For Artists
What?
After the success of their Digital Marketing for Artists Masterclass in 2019, Tipping Point are bringing back Matthew Wooton, the founder of Plectrumm, a digital marketing agency exclusively working in the music industry, for their 2020 Masterclass.
Get inside knowledge on how bands can reach the next level this year with a semi-structured conversation and learn how to use Facebook's Business Manager interface to grow your platform.
Where and when?
Loft Music Studios, Newcastle upon Tyne. Thursday, 13 February 2020.
How much?
Free.
Going Full Time In Music (in association with PRS for Music)
What?
The Electronic Sound Summit is the North West’s foremost celebration of the electronic music industry, with a goal of introducing emerging creatives to the global dance music community through artist development focused on education, access and opportunity.
PRS for Music will be hosting a panel at the event. They will be joined by a handful of experts who will shed light on the world of record labels, music publishing, copyright, royalties, DJ fees, remixes and more.
Where and when?
Liver Buildings, Liverpool. Saturday, 29 February 2020.
How much?
General release tickets range from £38.50 - £49.40.
What?
Forté Project & Creative Republic of Cardiff are hosting a workshop on the basics of live shows and sound from an engineer/tour manager's perspective, relating it to musicians.
It will include practical demonstrations on mic technique, feedback, different setups, performance and more. The session will end with a Q&A so come prepared.
Where and when?
The Moon, Womanby Street, Cardiff. Wednesday, 12 February 2020.
How much?
Free.
Digital Marketing For Artists
What?
After the success of their Digital Marketing for Artists Masterclass in 2019, Tipping Point are bringing back Matthew Wooton, the founder of Plectrumm, a digital marketing agency exclusively working in the music industry, for their 2020 Masterclass.
Get inside knowledge on how bands can reach the next level this year with a semi-structured conversation and learn how to use Facebook's Business Manager interface to grow your platform.
Where and when?
Loft Music Studios, Newcastle upon Tyne. Thursday, 13 February 2020.
How much?
Free.
Going Full Time In Music (in association with PRS for Music)
What?
The Electronic Sound Summit is the North West’s foremost celebration of the electronic music industry, with a goal of introducing emerging creatives to the global dance music community through artist development focused on education, access and opportunity.
PRS for Music will be hosting a panel at the event. They will be joined by a handful of experts who will shed light on the world of record labels, music publishing, copyright, royalties, DJ fees, remixes and more.
Where and when?
Liver Buildings, Liverpool. Saturday, 29 February 2020.
How much?
General release tickets range from £38.50 - £49.40.
