MW:M26 reconnects convention, club festival and Berlin’s music scene
Most Wanted: Music returns from November 3–5, 2026 under the motto Rewire!, exploring how the music industry can reconnect, reshape and rethink itself across culture, business, technology and community.
With nhow Hotel Berlin as its new convention venue and the RAW-Gelände as the new home of the newly reimagined Most Wanted: Music Club Festival, MW:M moves even closer to Berlin’s music scene, creative industries and nightlife culture.
At the heart of MW:M lies the question of how the music industry can reconnect itself: between scene and business, clubs and conference culture, creatives and companies, local communities and international markets.
Rather than solely focusing on isolated panels, showcases or industry sectors, MW:M approaches the music ecosystem as an interconnected network shaped by artists, labels, clubs, publishers, tech players, researchers, policy makers, emerging talent and audiences alike.
Rewire! stands for rethinking structures, building unexpected alliances and creating new connections for the future of music.
Rewiring the industry
The music industry is currently undergoing a period of transformation. Questions around fair compensation, visibility, sustainability, creative technology, international collaboration and the role of music within urban society are becoming increasingly urgent.
MW:M responds to these developments by bringing together perspectives from music, technology, culture, politics, science and business, thereby creating space for exchange, dialogue and practical ideas for the future of the industry.
“The music industry has reached a point where optimizing individual processes is no longer enough. We need to question the system itself, reshape it and create new connections. With MW:M26 and LISTEN TO BERLIN, we bring together a wide range of actors from across the industry and create space for unconventional ideas, new perspectives, open debate and inspiring conversations. Rewire! represents a spirit of change — and a willingness to rethink traditional structures, outdated silos and established ways of thinking.” — Olaf Kretschmar, CEO and Chairman of the Berlin Music Commission
Carefully curated program shaping the future of music
Lindi Delight returns as Program Director of Most Wanted: Music in 2026. The MW:M team continues to expand the convention’s direction with formats focused on genuine exchange, participation and meaningful encounters.
Compared to many other industry conferences, MW:M places a strong emphasis on dialogue and practical impact. Fishbowls, workshops, collaborative sessions, research impulses and roundtables create space for conversations that move beyond traditional panel structures.
“Returning for my second year as Programme Director, I’m proud to bring REWIRE! to the stage for MW:M26. Last year we asked the industry to transform. This year we’re asking something more specific: where do the new connections go, who do they serve, and how do we build them with intention? REWIRE! is about the skilled, deliberate work of designing an industry that serves the people who make it run.” — Lindi Delight, Programme Director, Most Wanted: Music Convention
Most Wanted: Music Club Festival moves to RAW-Gelände
In 2026, the newly reimagined Most Wanted: Music Club Festival focuses on emerging music, curated discoveries and powerful live experiences.
For two nights, RAW-Gelände in Friedrichshain will become an a festival space deeply rooted in Berlin’s music culture and nightlife scene.
Jean-Paul Mendelsohn joins MW:M as Head of Most Wanted: Music Club Festival. As a music manager, creative strategist and consultant, he works with artists including ÄTNA and Inéz and focuses on artistic development, international positioning and innovative live concepts.
The Club Festival brings together artists, audiences, industry professionals and club culture, creating space for discovery, exchange and new connections across Berlin’s music ecosystem.
New spaces for collaboration
With the convention moving to nhow Hotel Berlin, MW:M positions itself even closer to the places where Berlin’s music and creative communities work, experiment and shape the future every day.
The new locations connect the conference more directly to the clubs, studios, labels, creative networks and neighbourhoods that define Berlin as an international music city.
LISTEN TO BERLIN expands the programme landscape
Alongside Most Wanted: Music, additional key formats by the Berlin Music Commission will once again take place as part of Berlin’s wider music ecosystem.
The program begins on November 3, 2026 with the LISTEN TO BERLIN: AWARDS at Kulturbrauerei Berlin.
On November 4, 2026, the LISTEN TO BERLIN: YOUTH Summit & Showcase returns for its third edition under the direction of Dr. Nadine Müller, focusing on young talents aged 14–25 with panels, workshops, networking opportunities and live concerts.
LISTEN TO BERLIN artists will also play an important role within the Most Wanted: Music Club Festival, connecting talent development, curated discovery and live performance.
Open calls are now live
With the launch of MW, the main participation formats are now open.
MW:M is looking for:
- Speakers
- Session proposals
- Research contributions
- Artists for the Most Wanted: Music Club Festival
Apply now
Calls for Speakers: apply until July 3, 2026
Call for Sessions: apply until July 3, 2026
Call for Artists: apply until June 30, 2026
Call for Research: apply until July 13, 2026*
*Abstracts: July 13, 2026 | Music Tech Demos, audiovisual performances & workshops: July 13, 2026 | Full papers: August 3, 2026
Additional calls and deadlines will be announced through Most Wanted: Music channels.
Tickets on sale now
Ticket pre-sales for Most Wanted: Music 2026 started on May 19, 2026 via mwm-berlin.de.
Secure your early bird ticket now with up to 50% off.
Most Wanted: Music 2026
Convention & Club Festival
November 3–5, 2026
nhow Hotel Berlin & RAW-Gelände