The 10th anniversary edition.
200+ leaders from recorded and live music. One purpose-built room. A day of knowledge sharing and networking that shapes the year ahead.
In association with
Who's on stage
Hosts &
Speakers.
A curated line-up of the operators actually running the industry right now — labels, publishers, DSPs, promoters, venues, agencies and artists.
The programme
Conference
Schedule.
Click any session for the full brief and speaker bios.
- 08:45→ 09:30Introduction
Registration & Coffee
Doors open at Hackney Church. Coffee from Blue Turaco.
- 09:30→ 09:40Introduction1 speaker
Welcome and Introduction
A short welcome from the FFWD team and a scene-set for the day ahead.
Chris CareySession details → - 09:40→ 10:00Fast 151 speaker
The State Of Play: Today's Key Trends
FFWD founder Chris Carey takes us through key music stats, the problems of perfect pricing, and why goodwill is key to a sustainable music industry.
Chris CareySession details → - 10:00→ 10:15Fast 152 speakers
Lessons From Annie Mac's Before Midnight
Innovating and breaking stereotypes. Making music accessible again. Pol shares their perspective on the audience Before Midnight draws in, and what keeps them coming back!
Pol Mitchell · Rosanna ConnollySession details → - 10:15→ 11:00Panel4 speakers
Marketing: A Return To Old Rules
Going viral is not what it used to be. In fact, marketing isn't working like it used to - or is it?! Many of the old rules still apply, and going back to basics might be the next chapter. Our panel explore how can artists stand out, maintain and grow supportive fanbases.
James Fleury · KAMILLE · Darren Hemmings · Sammy AndrewsSession details → - 11:00→ 11:25Break
Coffee Break
A moment to say hello to other delegates. Refreshments provided.
- 11:25→ 12:10Panel4 speakers
Is The Future Of Live Music Playing Fewer Shows For More Money? Or Can We Reverse The Trend?
When the internet took off, Chris Anderson’s Long Tail theory suggested the future would be about selling less of more. Fast-forward to today, and live music appears to be moving in the opposite direction — fewer events, higher prices, and an ever-tightening focus on superstar shows. Is this simply the natural evolution of the superstar economy? Or is there a more sustainable model that grows audiences, careers and value across the entire live music ecosystem?
Mark Davyd · Matthew Todd · Thando Zulu · Sophie KennardSession details →
- 12:10→ 12:25Fast 152 speakers
Managing Writers And Producers In A Streaming World
The economics of the writing camp, the split sheet, and the publishing advance in a world where a hit pays what it pays.
Vaz Pilikian · Rowan BrandSession details → - 12:25→ 13:10Keynote2 speakers
Entrepreurship, Glass Ceilings, and the future of the industry - with Karen Emanuel OBE
Key Production Founder & CEO Karen Emanuel OBE dives into her wide-ranging career with Sony Music's Julie Weir. The no-holds-barred conversation between two longstanding friends will explore entrepreneurship, the fall and rise of vinyl, smashing glass ceilings, the time Karen bought an island, and the future of the music industry.
Karen Emanuel OBE · Julie WeirSession details → - 13:10→ 14:10Break
Lunch
Hot lunch & refreshments are provided for all delegates. Includes performance from Jerub
- 14:10→ 14:45Keynote2 speakers
Fact Check: Two Economists Dissect Industry Trends
Economists are known for hedging their bets. but not today. Former Spotify Chief Economist Will Page and his first music economics hire Chris Carey react to the most challenging trends in music right now.
Will Page · Chris CareySession details → - 14:45→ 15:30Panel4 speakers
Who Is Developing Talent Today? And How Can We Support Them?
Managers are the new one stop shop. Lables are waiting longer to sign. The live music industry takes financial risks but should it - and the rest of the industry - be doing more to develop and nurture talent, or is taking the financial risks enough?
Amy Oldham · Matt Howes · Julie Weir · James LightfootSession details → - 15:30→ 15:45Fast 151 speaker
Spotlighting the Songwriters
Writers are so often behind the scenes, but their contributions are invaluable. Lara Baker takes us through how Spotify is amplifying and celebrating songwriters globally.
Lara BakerSession details → - 15:45→ 16:05Break
Coffee Break
A moment to say hello to other delegates. Refreshments provided.
- 16:05→ 16:20Fast 151 speaker
Insight From 20 Years Of Direct To Fan
Music Glue worked with Metallica on their most recent fan strategy. Co-founder Joe shares the experience and lessons everyone can benefit from.
Joe VesayapornSession details →
- 16:20→ 17:05Panel4 speakers
Discovery Feels Broken Right Now. How Can We Save It?
The abundance of music available is nothing new, but activating fans to deepen relationships and engage for the long term seems harder than ever. Perfect fit content is displacing fandom. Can we save music discovery?
Jamie Tagg · Connie Rose · Perdi Higgs · Karma BertelsenSession details →
- 17:05→ 18:00Panel4 speakers
Whole Room Panel: So - What's Next?
Final panel blurb: In a break from FFWD tradition, this will be a whole room panel in a Parliamentary style. Chris hosts an extended, no holds barred panel with artists and industry. There is a lot of wisdom in the room, so how do we build the future we would like to see? Chris will do his best to moderate and get everyone involved.
Jack Saunders · Charlieeeee · Thando Zulu · Chris CareySession details → - 18:00→ 20:00Networking
Networking & Drinks
A chance to make long-lasting connections with peers, including our speakers. Refreshments are provided, including beers from Signature Brew.
Location
Hackney Church.
An 1800-capacity music venue equipped with a state-of-the-art d&b audio system. In recent years the room has hosted Ed Sheeran, Sampha, Biffy Clyro and Joy Crookes.
As an affiliate of the Music Venue Trust and Independent Venue Week, the church supports local talent while attracting world-renowned creators to the Grade II listed building. All profits from venue hire contribute to programmes for the people of East London.
Address
Hackney Church, Lower Clapton Road, London, E5 0PD
Getting there
Hackney Central · 5 min walkHackney Downs · 7 min walk
In the room with us
Partners &
Supporters.
Synchtank
Synchtank is the all-in-one rights, royalty and sync licensing platform trusted by music publishers, libraries and broadcasters worldwide.
www.synchtank.com/ ↗Ticketmaster
Ticketmaster gives millions of fans – worldwide – fair and easy access to the biggest and best in live entertainment. Driven by innovation, unparalleled scalability, and unmatched support, we are the definitive leader in professional ticketing solutions. Over 12,000 artists, teams, and venues around the world trust us to power their amazing performances daily — with more than 500 million tickets sold each year. We are a diverse team of 6,500+ global employees and a proud division of Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV), the world’s leading live entertainment company and an organization certified as a Great Place to Work®. Everything we do starts with our passion to dream, design, and deliver the unforgettable experience of live. Because we’re fans too — and live only happens once.
www.ticketmaster.co.uk/ ↗Gig Realm
GigRealm is an online gig booking platform that connects artists with thousands of venues and paid opportunities around the UK. They are not only 100% free for artists to use for life, take no commission and protect artists with their GigContract, but they also only allow paid gigs on the site. GigRealm has an extensive ecosystem with exclusive deals from partners like TuneCore, CD Baby, SongTrust and many more! At their core, GigRealm was created to help the next generation of talent navigate their way through the live industry whilst ensuring they get paid for their craft.
www.gigrealm.com/ ↗
WYTS
Founded by James Fleury, WYTS is a a strategy and creative agency based in London & Amsterdam, creating campaigns and activations to bring artists, promoters and brands closer to music fans. Their work touches all services including: Commercial & Brand Strategy, Product Marketing and Brand Development, Content Strategy, Event Production & Strategic Partnerships. They have designed on-sale campaigns & fan activations for the likes of Sziget, Apenkooi, Kendal Calling, Junction 2, ID&T, Love Saves the Day, Brockwell Live, the MMF, Classical Pride, FFWD, Always Live, LWE, Tixel & Lost Village, as well as artists such as The Cat Empire & Dom Dolla.
www.wyts.agency/ ↗
Morena Comms
Morena Comms is a boutique PR company based in London, UK. Founded by Rosanna Connolly (Universal Music; Mercury Records, Virgin EMI, Apple; Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, Platoon), Morena seeks to go beyond traditional PR practices to deliver the most exciting and impactful campaigns.
www.morenacomms.co.uk/ ↗
Blue Turaco Coffee
We make deliciously strong coffee with a kick! Blue Turaco is the first coffee brand in the UK that is owned by an African farmer; we’re proud of that. And even prouder of our Robusta coffee; it’s strong, smooth and naturally contains double the caffeine of Arabica – quite the kick-start to your day. Blue Turaco founder, Wycliffe, is a coffee farmer. He picked coffee beans as a boy to pay for his school fees so he knows how growing quality coffee improves livelihoods in farming communities. We bring you 100% specialty Robusta, sourced directly from Ugandan smallholder farmers including our own. And 20p from every pack provides two school lunches, helping fight hunger in Ugandan village schools. Our vision is to create a model where coffee truly pays in farming communities.
blueturacocoffee.com/ ↗
Signature Brew
At Signature Brew we make award-winning beer in our London HQ, a state-of-the-art brewery by day, legendary live music venue by night. We formed back in 2011 during the craft beer revolution and since then we’ve collaborated with more musicians than any other brewery on the planet. In an age where time comes at a premium, every moment counts, but none more than those spent enjoying great music in good company. We exist to ensure these times are never compromised; from the moment the first beer hits to the moment the beat drops.
events.signaturebrew.co.uk/ ↗