350+ industry leaders.London.One day.
Our flagship music conference returns to London bigger than ever - with 350+ leaders across the music industry starting the year together with a day of insight, knowledge sharing and networking.
In association with
Join the room · 10 February 2027
Be part of the next decade.
Historic attendees
All corners of the industry in one room.
Join music’s most recognisable companies at the industry’s friendliest music conference.
From Our Community
The thing Chris keeps getting right with FFWD is who’s in the room – the people who’ll be running this business in a decade, sitting alongside the people running it now. The best ideas in music come from managers, promoters, artists, labels, writers and venue teams comparing notes, and FFWD gets them all talking to each other for a day. You always leave with something you didn’t walk in with.
Who's on stage
Your 2027
Conference Speakers.
A curated line-up of the operators actually running the industry right now — labels, publishers, DSPs, promoters, venues, agencies and artists.
The programme
Your Schedule
for London.
Click any session for the full brief and speaker bios.
- 09:00→ 09:55Introduction
Registration
Grab your pass, and start the day over coffee with your peers before our programming starts.
- 09:50→ 09:55Introduction
Welcome & Housekeeping
Our founder Chris Carey opens the gathering for our 15th edition.
- 09:55→ 10:10Fast 15
Key Global Music Trends
Music economist and FFWD founder Chris Carey takes us through the key trends impacting the music industry in 2027.
Chris CareySession details → - 10:10→ 10:25Fast 15
Nurturing Music Cities: Lessons From Manchester
While most of the music industry is focused on ways to make money, Holly is concerned with how best to spend it, and where it can have the greatest impact. Holly shares her work with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, as well as her perspective on how to build a vibrant local music ecosystem.
TBCSession details → - 10:25→ 11:10Panel
Why Albums Matter: Storytelling And Legacy In The Attention Age
Singles dominate the streaming economy, so why is it important that artists release albums? Our panel of recorded music experts share their views on why the format still matters commercially, and how it centres artists, story-telling, and deepens connection with fans.
Alice McLean · Emily Thomas · TBC · TBC · TBCSession details → - 11:10→ 11:30Break
Coffee Break
A moment to say hello to other delegates. Refreshments provided.
- 11:30→ 11:45Fast 15
Diversifying The Hall: Welcoming Global Music To An Iconic Venue
In recent years, The Royal Albert Hall has expanded its portfolio of events across music, comedy and entertainment, including the debut sold-out success of Rapperholic this year at this historic venue. The Hall's CEO James Ainscough shares his vision for the venue's curation, and why it's so important to him that the venue be a space for all music fans.
James Ainscough OBESession details → - 11:45→ 12:30Panel
The Impact Of AI On Music Careers: How We Can Survive And Thrive
AI is changing everything: not just how music is made, but how it is promoted, recommended and consumed. It also risks undermining creativity, credibility, income and value to both individual and society. Our panel holds nothing back, sharing their guidance for thriving in this new, uncertain landscape.
James Fleury · Benedict Cork · Rebecca Fiebrink · TBC · TBCSession details → - 12:30→ 13:00Keynote
20 Years Of The O2: Steve Sayer - In Conversation
The O2 sells the most tickets of any venue in the world. In its 20th year, SVP and GM Steve Sayer talks through the history of the venue, insights from consumers and on site behaviours, and plans for the future.
Steve Sayer · TBCSession details → - 13:00→ 13:50Break
Lunch
Hot lunch & refreshments are provided for all delegates.
- 13:50→ 14:05Fast 15
Investment Matters: An Insight Into Modern Label Economics
Patrick Clifton launches ORCA's latest research on modern label economics, investment approaches, information asymmetries and value added in a mature streaming market.
Patrick CliftonSession details → - 14:05→ 14:50Panel
Independence And Innovation: Capturing And Shaping Culture
Whether it's AI, algorithmic recommendations, or a walk up the high street in many European cities, forces conspire to make many things identical. Familiarity has a place, and nostalgia a role, but data, algorithms, and AI risk dragging creativity to a very average place. Our panel share their views on genuine innovation, shaping culture and why independence is key.
Cam Petschi · Claire Ruddock · TBC · TBC · TBCSession details → - 14:50→ 15:05Fast 15
Multi-Disciplinary Artistry: Your Lawyer Is Also Your Rapper
Nick Eziefula is a Partner at leading media law firm Simkins by day; away from the office, he moonlights under his rapper moniker 'Essa', and already boasts several album releases and international performances to his name. He shares his experience of living in both worlds, often being misunderstood, and stepping into proudly owning both faces of his career.
Nick EziefulaSession details → - 15:05→ 15:35Keynote
Keynote #2: TBA
Session speakers & description to be announced soon.
TBC · TBC · TBCSession details → - 15:35→ 15:55Break
Coffee Break
A moment to say hello to other delegates. Refreshments provided.
- 15:55→ 16:10Fast 15
Art Not Evidence: In Defence Of Drill Culture
Adele Oliver is an author, pinoeer and expert witness. Her book Deeping It: Colonialism, Culture and the Criminalisation of UK Drill details how quickly the police organised against the scene. She also is an expert witness for Art Not Evidence where she counters claimes that art details intent, and other spurious notions.
Adèle OliverSession details → - 16:10→ 16:55Panel
Filling The Development Gap: How Live Music Is Growing Talent From The Grassroots Up
The UK is facing an artist development crisis. Label investment in nurturing talent is declining. Live music revenue is thriving; but it's driven by international superstars, often at the expense of local talent. We explore how live music can play a more active role in helping develop the homegrown headliners of tomorrow.
Vanessa Picken · Antonia Lines · TBC · TBC · TBCSession details → - 16:55→ 17:45Keynote
Keynote #3: TBA
Session speakers & description to be announced soon.
TBC · TBCSession details → - 17:45→ 20:00Networking
Networking & Drinks
A chance to make long-lasting connections with peers, including our speakers. Refreshments are provided, including beers from Signature Brew.
£112 + VAT · Super Early Bird
Includes lunch, sessions & drinks.
Secure your pass now
See you
in London.
Every pass includes full-day access to all sessions, lunch, and the post-conference drinks reception.
The OGs
£99
+ VAT · Full day access, lunch & drinks
Early Bird
£125
+ VAT · Full day access, lunch & drinks
Regular
£140
+ VAT · Full day access, lunch & drinks
Final Release
£160
+ VAT · Full day access, lunch & drinks
* All prices are in GBP (£).
Community access passes available on request — get in touch.
Latest
News &
Updates.
The O2, Broadwick Live, Believe, TEG, LIVE Trust, co:brand among first speakers for FFWD:LDN 27
The first announcement wave includes a keynote conversation with The O2's SVP & GM Steve Sayer, as well as exploring the impact of AI on creators, how to build sustainable careers, the importance of independence in innovation and how albums are still essential for connecting with fans.
Read →First sponsors announced for FFWD ‘27; Ticketmaster returns as headline sponsor
The first sponsors for FFWD:LDN '27 are announced, including Ticketmaster, Synchtank, Signature Brew, Prisma & Blue Turaco.
Read →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
St John at Hackney, Lower Clapton Road, London, E5 0PD, Lower Clapton Road, London, E5 0PD
Getting there
Hackney Central (Overground) · 5 min walkHackney Downs (Overground) · 7 min walkBuses 38, 55, 106, 254, 425 · 2 min walkLiverpool Street · 15 min by train
In the room with us
Partners &
Supporters.
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/ ↗ORCA
ORCA (Organisation for Recorded Culture and Arts) is a think tank comprised of international independent music labels committed to increasing music’s economic, social, and cultural value. It will do this by developing globally relevant and translatable evidence‑based research that informs governments and supports the work of trade associations, as well as contributing to furthering music’s impact on global economic and social development.
www.orcaformusic.com/ ↗Prisma Music Group
Prisma Music Group is an artist-first record label and publishing house, deeply rooted in global sounds. From Stockholm to São Paulo, Prisma Music Group discovers and elevates human musical expression worldwide while artists retain full creative and economic freedom.
prismamusicgroup.com/ ↗
WYTS
Founded by James Fleury, WYTS is a strategy and creative agency based in London & Amsterdam, creating commercial playbooks, go-to-market strategies and 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.
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.
www.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.
www.signaturebrew.co.uk/ ↗About the event
Access, inclusion and ethics
Tickets and attendance
Networking and community
Practical information