Looking to learn more about music in 2018? Want to connect with more like-minded musicians and uncover new networking opportunities? Then you need to get out more.
There are tons of festivals, conferences, and other music industry events happening throughout the year, where you can go and not just be entertained, but also learn from others and build bridges. Of course, you won’t be able to attend them all. Events happening in New York alone might be able to fill your annual calendar, not to mention in other major cities around the world. However, there are events that you should put at the top of your to-do list and plan for. Below, we’ve compiled some of the main music industry events to add to your itinerary for 2018.
We’ve arranged them by month for you, along with basic details, drawn from their websites and pages, to help you decide which events are right for you. Here goes…
When: January 9-12, 2018 Where: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA About: CES is the world's gathering place for all those who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. It has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for 50 years — the global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace.
When: January 10-13, 2018 Where: Crested Butte, Colorado About: Mountain High Music Festival in Crested Butte, Colorado, provides a wild mix of musical genius from near and far. A special emphasis is placed on Colorado's up-and-coming musicians.
When: January 11-21, 2018 Where: Tucson, AZ About: The festival is two-weeks long, the centerpiece of which is the free, daylong Downtown Jazz Fiesta on MLK day on two outdoor stages and other venues downtown.
When: Jan 12-15, 2018 Where: Santa Rosa Beach, FL About: The 30A Songwriters Festival organizes an impressive gathering of songwriting talent in a weekend-long musical celebration benefiting the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County.
When: January 17, 2018 Where: London, UK About: Women In Music 2018 will give women (and men, who are actively encouraged to attend) the opportunity to network with key industry figures and to hear from some of the music industry’s most influential women.
When: January 25-28, 2018 Where: Anaheim, USA About: NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), established in 1901, is the not-for-profit association that strengthens the $17 billion global music, sound and event technology products industry. Our association and our trade shows serve as the crossroads for professionals wanting to seek out the newest innovations in music, recording technology, sound, stage and lighting products.
When: February 2– 3, 2018 Where: Montreal, Canada About: Entertainment Management Conference (EMC), presented by evenko, is a unique conference that explores the conjunction of business and creativity in the entertainment industry.
When: February 2 - 4, 2018 Where: Sierra Vista, AZ About: Over 40 artists from the US and Canada, including a legion of songwriting cowboys, will take the stage to sing stories about the history of Western culture.
When: February 6, 2018 Where: London, UK About: BASCA is working in partnership with the newly formed UK & European Guild of Music Supervisors (GMS) to present an evening lead by some of the biggest names in music supervision across the advertising, film and TV sectors. The evening will see an in-depth panel discussion examining the current landscape of the industry, full of tips and advice on what music supervisors are looking for and how best to secure sync deals.
When: February 8, 2018 Where: London, UK About: After an incredibly well-received sell out 2017 event which saw over 450 independent music professionals attend, Indie-Con 2018 will offer a unique programme of sessions aimed at helping independent artists and labels to grow their businesses and get their music heard.
When: February 16-26, 2018 Where: San Francisco, USA About: Featuring non-stop music from electronic to jazz to good ol’ rock n’ roll, the festival offers an opportunity for everyone and anyone to enjoy the celebration. Complemented by art shows, film scores, talks, happy hours, after hours and more, Noise Pop truly champions independent culture.
When: February 22-24, 2018 Where: California, USA About: The Durango Songwriter Expo is one of the nation's premier singer/songwriter events. Held twice yearly - once in Colorado and again in Ventura Beach, CA - right at the pier! The Expo gives artists and songwriters an unmatched opportunity to network with music supervisors, labels, publishers and fellow artists.
When: March 6 – 9, 2018 Where: London, UK About: Over the last quarter century, the ILMC has provided not just a discussion forum that has led to tangible change and evolution within the industry, but an essential opportunity for colleagues to meet, do business and, most of all, have fun!
When: March 9-18, 2018 Where: Austin, Texas, USA About: The South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference & Festivals celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries. Fostering creative and professional growth alike, SXSW® is the premier destination for discovery.
When: March 20 – 25, 2018 Where: Miami, USA About: Miami Music Week is one of the world’s most recognized electronic music events. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people from across the globe descend on Miami during the last week of March as the city transforms itself into a dance music paradise.
When: April 3 – 7, 2018 Where: Nashville, USA About: Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival is produced by the Nashville Songwriters Association International
When: April 12-15, 2018 Where: Pennsylvania, USA About: Featuring a schedule packed full of Panels, Seminars, Parties, Events and Performances, the Conference portion of LAUNCH provides a unique opportunity for artists, music industry professionals and fans to meet, network and further their careers from the up-and-coming artist to the seasoned music industry veteran.
When: April 13-15, 2018 + April 20-22, 2018 Where: California, USA About: From delicious food to world-class art, Coachella offers numerous experiences to enjoy along with the music.
When: April 17-19, 2018 Where: Miami, USA About: Hispanicize is the largest annual event for Latino trendsetters and newsmakers in digital content creation, journalism, marketing, entertainment and tech entrepreneurship.
When: April 23-29, 2018 Where: Virginia, USA About: RIFF, one of the largest international competitive film festivals in the Mid-Atlantic, brings more than 150 cutting-edge films to Richmond, Virginia. The nightly local, national and international music, industry panels, Q&As, red carpet awards, and entertainment mixers usher the spirit of Hollywood into Virginia's Bowtie Cinemas, various music venues, and the historic Byrd Theater.
When: April 29 – May 2, 2018. Where: Hollywood, USA About: MUSEXPO is an unprecedented and exclusive opportunity to interact with a wide range of influential decision-makers from the international music, media, and technology industries all brought together again in Los Angeles at MUSEXPO.
When: May 3 – 5, 2018 Where: San Francisco, USA About: The festival provides an open, inviting environment that encourages rewarding exchanges between artists, professionals, and the public; MUTEK is a point of convergence, drawing participants from all over the world to profit from a context of active discovery.
When: May 5 – 6, 2018 Where: Liverpool, UK About: Crowned Best metropolitan festival at the UK Festival Awards, Liverpool Sound City is an unrivaled festival of incredible live music and arts, capturing the city of Liverpool and reinforcing it as the cultural core of the UK.
When: May 7-9, 2018 Where: Hollywood, CA About: The United States’ largest conference for songwriters, composers, artists and producers, ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO offers a rare opportunity for aspiring music creators to learn from and collaborate with some of the most successful and creative people in the music industry.
When: May 7 – 13, 2018 Where: Toronto, Canada About: Now in its 35th year, CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK is recognized as one of the premier entertainment events in North America focusing on the business of music. The Canadian Music Week festival spans 5 nights of performances, over 800 showcasing bands at more than 40 live music venues in downtown Toronto.
When: May 14-17, 2018 Where: Nashville, USA About: From face-to-face to virtual events, it is the mission of the Music Business Association to connect members with new trading partners, introduce new services, and provide knowledge for members to make informed business decisions.
When: June 1 – 3, 2018 Where: Seattle, USA About: Upstream is a three-day music festival and industry summit where attendees can discover acclaimed national artists performing alongside rising stars from the Northwest.
When: June 8 -17 Where: Toronto, Canada About: NXNE is a raging annual 10-day summer festival and conference every June in Toronto, featuring: music, gaming, comedy, interactive and more at this packed cultural explosion. The U.K. Guardian says "NXNE has crowned itself Toronto's leading music event."
When: June 11-13, 2018 Where: Nashville, USA About: IMMERSE brings experienced teachers together to walk you through the daunting process of recording, writing a great harmony, stage presence and literally hundreds of other topics that can overwhelm the creative mind.
When: June 18-21, 2018 Where: New York, USA About: A2IM Indie Week is an international conference and networking event aimed at maximizing the global impact of Independent music.
When: June 28 - 30, 2018 Where: Nashville, USA About: Showcasing a complete product landscape set within one of America’s most musical cities—Nashville, Tennessee—Summer NAMM celebrates the local community music store and honors our industry’s Top 100 Dealers. Enjoy star-studded events and the lure of the Nashville nightlife while making connections that will last a lifetime.
When: July 6 – 8, 2018 Where: Prince Edward Island, Canada About: More than 60,000 visitors annually flock to the festival for the biggest names in country music, camping, dining, the warmest waters north of the Carolina’s and to create memories that last a lifetime.
When: July 12-14, 2018 Where: Maryland, USA About: The Independent Gospel Artists Alliance Conference is an opportunity to provide wisdom and expert assistance and support to advance Independent Artists and their ministries. The Conference is a business and music conference that adjusts to the ever-changing needs of the Independent Artist.
When: August 10 – 12, 2018 Where: London, UK About: Summer in the City is the UK’s largest YouTube and online video festival. The event is for everyone with an interest in online video, whether they be creators, viewers, or industry professionals looking to gain more of an insight into the YouTube community.
When: August 24 – 26, 2018 Where: Nashville, USA About: The only conference focused wholeheartedly on the needs of today’s independent artist. You’ll learn from active industry leaders, make lasting connections, and walk away with not only a plan of action, but also a renewed sense of direction and excitement about your career.
When: August 31 – September 3, 2018 Where: Miami, USA About: The Coast 2 Coast Music Conference is an annual networking event bringing together top industry DJs, producers, A&Rs and more to speak on panels and give practical advice to artists.
When: September 11 – 16, 2018 Where: Nashville, USAAbout: The annual event brings together fans and music industry professionals alike, offering six days of celebration through seminars, panels and networking opportunities by day and raw, intimate showcases each night.
When: September 26-30, 2018 Where: Montréal, Canada About: POP Montreal International Music Festival is an annual not-for-profit curated cultural event that champions independence in the arts by presenting emerging and celebrated artistic talents from around the world.
When: October 10-14, 2018 Where: Kelowna, Canada About: A once-a-year event that includes a 4-Day Conference, 3-Night Showcase Festival, and the Western Canadian Music Awards. BreakOut West is the primary event hosted by the Western Canadian Music Alliance.
When: October 11 – 12, 22018 Where: Louisiana, USA About: The conference brings together leaders from governments, cities and regions, academics, organizations and the music scene to discuss, debate, and introduce new thinking.
When: November 14 – 17, 2018 Where: Montréal, Canada About: M for Montreal is a music conference and festival taking place every November and showcasing around 100 local and international buzz-worthy and breakout bands in over 15 venues across Montreal.
When: December 3, 2018 Where: Los Angeles, USA About: By attending a SyncSummit in 2018, you’ll get unprecedented access to the information and the contacts you need to succeed in syncing and scoring your music.
There you have it. Do you know of another event that is not on the list but you would want us to add? Kindly contact us and let us know. We'll be happy to add it.
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