Music Futures

Designed by Generator and delivered in Wakefield, Music Futures is a series of masterclasses for recently established and prestart businesses in the music, production and live events industry.

Join the programme and you will explore opportunities in technology lead platforms, both now and in the future of the music industry on this fully funded business accelerator. Covering topics including VR/AR/XR streaming, digital led marketing strategies, complex industry rights, while also offering access to incredible coaching opportunities from music industry specialists including Tileyard and Production Park.

Already confirmed we have speakers from Live Nation, Sentric Music, Motive Unknown, Kendal Calling, Hedgehog Labs, Futuresound, Killing Moon, Proper Distribution

The series has been produced in association with music industry partners in Yorkshire including Music Leeds, DMF Digital and Come Play With Me.

Next Event:

Music Futures #5 – How to make the most of Streaming

Thursday 14^th June – 10.00 – 5.00 – Wakefield One, Burton Street, Wakefield, WF1 2EB, (SAT NAV – WF1 2DA)

Love it or hate it, streaming is the world we live in and it’s is on the increase – rapidly!

As Spotify recently announced, they now have over 75 million paid for subscribers – the New York Stock Exchange valued the business at a whopping £26.5 billion on its first day of trading at the beginning of April – streaming will be the dominant force in global music for years to come.

As a consumer, what better way to access a world of music without having to download multiple tracks and albums let alone ordering online or dare we say visiting an actual record store. It’s a no brainer, right?

But as an artist, manager, record label or someone who just makes a living from music what are the truths around the mysteries of streaming? Is it possible to have your music on a multitude of streaming platforms and make money? Do you need to have a record label that has significant marketing budgets to be able to take advantage of the system? How do you actually get on the platform playlists? Is there a game you have to play?

In addition, with millions of people using these services on a daily basis how can you get insights of all the data that this is producing in terms of consumer habits? How can you analyse this data to your advantage? For example, can you find out where the hot spots are that your artist is streaming and plan your touring around this? As a promoter can you see if numbers are significant in your town or city before booking an artist to play a gig or festival?

This masterclass sets out to attempt the demystification of streaming and the day long session will include advice and guidance from some of the UK’s leading experts and analysts that will leave attendees with a clear idea of how they need to take their own streaming strategy forward from an artist and general music business perspective.

Guests include

Keiron Donoghue – Humble Angel Records and formerly Vice President, Global Playlists Strategy & Curation, Warner Music. – http://musically.com/2018/02/05/kieron-donoghue-streaming-humble-angel-records/

Sammy Andrews – Owner and Founder of Deviate Digital – A 360 Digital Service provider for the Music Industry – http://www.musicweek.com/digital/read/sammy-andrews-launches-new-digital-insights-agency-deviate-digital/067646

David Kittlety – Head of Trade Marketing Believe Digital UK, IE – https://www.otrmcr.co.uk/profile/david-kittely-believe-distribution-services

JULY Event:

Music Futures #6 – Building, engaging and monetising your fanbase

Thursday 5^th July – 10.00 – 4.30 The Art House, Drury Lane, Wakefield WF1 2TE

MUSIC FUTURES #6

How do you get started with building your fanbase? And once you have fans, what’s the best way to stay in touch, and sell stuff? This workshop with direct-to-fan expert Jessie Scoullar will take you from zero to hero when it comes to building, engaging and monetising your fanbase. We’ll cover how to develop your brand, the basics of direct-to-fan strategy, best practices for communication channels, campaign planning and product strategy. We’ll look at a range of recent campaigns for inspiration and critique, and you’ll be rolling up your sleeves and applying the theory to your own artist projects.

Jessie Scoullar is founding director of Wicksteed Works, a London-based agency empowering artists to maximise their potential through connection, communication and coordination of kick-ass direct-to-fan marketing and retail campaigns. Wicksteed Works clients past and present include Laura Marling, Bic Runga, Mumford & Sons, Paul Kalkbrenner, Elvis Costello, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Eurovision, Eagle Rock, Neil Finn, Little Boots and Paul McCartney.

In 2014 Jessie published the first comprehensive comparison of direct-to-fan music marketing and retail services, Direct-to-Fan: Which Platform, with expanded and updated editions launched in 2016 and 2018. She cut her teeth on the world of direct-to-fan in the fast-paced environment of Topspin Media’s Creative Services team. Before leaving her native New Zealand in 2007, she worked with CRS Management in Auckland and practised as a commercial solicitor in Wellington.