Heartfelt concerns of MOST WANTED: MUSIC 2019 are sustainability and diversity. In this context, MW:M19 focusses on the question: How do we want to shape the culture and music industry of today and in the future? Therefore, we gather top-class, international speakers. Get all information on the MW:M19 program and speaker line-up here! Once again, MOST WANTED: MUSIC gathers top-class, international speakers to discuss burning topics of the music and culture industry. On November 6 and 7 at Alte Münze Berlin, MW:M connects music professionals, pioneers of music technology, marketing experts, net activists, scientists and politicians. This year’s program is concerned with the future of the music and culture industry: What value does music have in a digital world of freemium business models? How is Augmented Reality (AR) revolutionizing the live sector? How do the latest apps take real-time interaction between fans and artists to the next level?

MW:M19 program: Key Topics and Highlights

The program of MW:M19 is large, rich, and exciting! So here are the key topics of MOST WANTED: MUSIC 2019 including some highlights.

The Value of Music

One of the music industry’s challenges is the balance of financial success and socio-cultural values. At MW:M19, speakers such as Scott M. Cohen (Warner Music), Wyatt Jenkins (Patreon), Teresa Moore (A Greener Festival) or Dr. Florian Drücke (Bundesverband Musikindustrie) discuss AI, VR, Blockchain, its monetisation and how this eventually affects the value of music.

New Live (Music) Experiences

In the live sector, reality and virtuality intertwine more and more. But what does this mean for the interaction between artists and their fans? Jannick Hülshoff discusses the potential of live streaming platforms such as Twitch Sings – as he is Head of DACH Partnerships & Content at Twitch. Additionally, MW:M19 presents the newest augmented reality trends and developments in live entertainment such as immersive live performances. 

New Music Markets

MW:M19 looks at international growing markets – from a geographical and technical point of view. So, not only Africa and its lively music scene is under the radar. It is also about new technologies such as AI-songwriting, voice control and smart voice assistants. Let’s point out the Voice Control Challenge here: Projects dealing with voice control and smart voice assistants can still be submitted until 21 October (apply here). The best projects will be exhibited for the MW:M19 audience – and awarded at the end of the conference.

Social Impact of Music

The creative sector can not only favour social change – it has a decisive influence on it! Next to author and communications strategist Holley M. Kholi-Murchison, who is leading an innovative self-storytelling workshop, initiatives like TAKE A STAND and speaker Jan Holger Schmidt focus on a future-oriented, sustainable change in the music industry. Moreover, Salon Zukunftsmusik appeals to the younger generation: In a new interpretation of speed dating, young music professionals get the chance to discuss their topic with experts of the music and culture industries. Do you want more information? The entire MW:M19 program is published at mwm-berlin.de/program and will be extended until the event. Stay tuned! In the meantime, you can still get your ticket for MW:M19.

Sustainability and Diversity – MW:M’s Heartfelt Concerns

As mentioned earlier, heartfelt concerns of MW:M19 are sustainability and diversity. Regarding the latter, Olaf Kretschmar – organizer, CEO und Cluster Manager of Berlin Music Commission (BMC) – proudly explains:

We are happy to say that at least 45 percent of the speakers in our line-up are women – gender equality and diversity are two of our heartfelt concerns.

MW:M is working with the Keychange Initiative of the PRS Foundation to achieve a 50:50 gender ratio by 2020. When it comes to sustainability in music and creative industries, MW:M focuses on various ecological and socially sustainable approaches. Amongst other issues, the reduction of CO₂ emissions in audio streaming and tour management, green event management and ways of sustainable music production are discussed. In this context, the listen to berlin: Awards’ prize for sustainability will be awarded for the first time this year. Find out more about the listen to berlin: Awards 2019 and its nominees here! As you can see, there is a lot to discover at MOST WANTED: MUSIC 2019 – Germany’s biggest music tech convention. If you don’t have a ticket for the convention on November 6 and 7 at Alte Münze Berlin, yet – don’t hesitate any longer!