Embracing the motto #Togetherness, Most Wanted: Music (MW:M) becomes a hybrid experience this year. From November 3rd- 5th, MW:M will be streamed live from its own conference platform at the Alte Münze Berlin. In addition to the conference on November 4^th, with topics ranging from recovery and sustainability to diversity, MW:M’s programme includes: the presentation of the listen to berlin: Awards on November 3^rd, the MW:M Satellite events hosted locally throughout Berlin, and the second edition of the international showcase event MW:M Live on November 5^th. The MW:M Online Ticket gives access to the full conference programme via the virtual conference platform – accessible from anywhere in the world. 

 

Berlin, October 20th – The music industry has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic – but how can it recover? MW:M addresses this central question. “To shape a new start and a viable future, our focus is on the digital transformation of the industry as well as on global challenges such as sustainability, gender equality, diversity and inclusion.” – says Olaf Kretschmar, CEO and Chairman of the Berlin Music Commission (BMC). Further topics at MW:M20 are social video marketing, the future of music labels and the live music industry, and fair monetization models on (live) streaming platforms. MW:M will also explore the role of AI in music production, mental health and music education. The programme encompasses panel discussions, keynotes, workshops, live performances, and interactive networking formats such as one-on-one matchmaking (via the MW:M conference platform and app) as well as a virtual exhibition area.

 

COVID-19 and beyond
Legendary festival curator and promoter Marek Lieberberg along with Prof. Jens Michow, President of the Federal Association of the Concert and Event Industry (BDKV), will discuss current and future perspectives for the live music industry in times of an almost complete standstill. The talk will be moderated by Aissata Hartmann-Sylla, Senior Director Booking at AEG Berlin, and will focus on how the event industry can adapt during COVID-19 and beyond. Despite the current crisis, important debates must continue: Dr. Florian Drücke (BVMI) speaks out in favour of a common European digital area of responsibility and against the proposed German path for the regulated implementation of the EU Copyright Directive. Additionally, Mandy Aubry, Director of Business Development EMEA & APAC at Songtrust, Dean Francis, General Manager Neighbouring Rights, Downtown Music, and Sarah Johnston, Senior Operations Manager FUGA, will present the topic of royalties in an interactive session.

 

Sustainability
The future must be sustainable – and it is imperative that the music and event industry undergo enormous transformation processes. Mountains of rubbish after festivals and the immense emissions of the touring sector are indicators of an industry crying out for change. Enter Michael Fritz of Viva con Agua who recently launched the livestream festival stream4water. Fritz will be talking to musicians Antje Schomaker and Octopizzo about how music can be a catalyst for social change and how artists can use their social media channels as a vehicle for it. Furthermore, Zero-Waste activist Konstanze Meyer explains how the ecological footprint of smaller clubs can be improved. U.S. artist Beatie Wolfe guides the attendees through her innovative projects, revealing insights into her reinvention of music formats. At MW:M, Wolfe will give a deeper look into being a creative pioneer in the music scene. She will present her immersive multimedia project ‘From Green to Red’, which visualises the human influence on the planet and is based on NASA data going back 800,000 years.

 

Inclusion
Music is not only a driver of innovation, but also a mouthpiece for socio-political statements. A fresh start with greater inclusion is what U.S. sign language interpreter Amber Galloway Gallego is advocating. By signing alongside performers live, she has made music by artists such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Snoop Dogg accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing community. Following Amber’s talk, musician, activist and business visionary Madame Gandhi explores, among other things, the tools and techniques the modern creator can use to hone their sound and aesthetic. The session will be interpreted into sign language by Galloway Gallego. Gandhi will also treat the audience with a virtual performance.

 

Electronic Music from Detroit & 3D printed musical instruments
MW:M20 features two pioneers of electronic music from Detroit – the cradle of techno. The Godfather of Techno, Juan Atkins, and the Godmother of House, Stacey Hotwaxx Hale, talk about the scene’s eventful history as well as new production technologies.

 

As always, MW:M has some extraordinary sessions to discover: Ricardo Simian will talk about musical instruments made by 3D printing technology, and ELDOA and Pilates trainer Sarah King will tackle the carpal tunnel syndrome of all home-office plagued participants, accompanied by a live DJ set from Outsider.

 

MW:M Satellites throughout Berlin
The MW:M Satellites will take place all over Berlin on November 5^th. The programme will be proudly curated by MW:M partners, such as the Association of Independent Music Entrepreneurs (VUT), the German Music Publishers Association (DMV), the BMC youth programme Zukunftsmusik, Dussmann das KulturKaufhaus, as well as media partners like Höme – für Festivals, scientific institutions such as SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences, and BMC networking projects like Music Ambassador and musicBwomen.

 

Tickets & safety precautions
Online tickets for MW:M20 are available for €20 via the conference website. BMC members, students, trainees, artists and freelancers receive a 50% discount on the online ticket. This is the Berlin Music Commission’s response to the difficult economic situation in which many people in the music and creative industries currently find themselves. By purchasing a ticket, attendees gain access to the AI-based MW:M delegates database, which gives them the opportunity to pro-actively participate in the conference. It includes a wide range of networking opportunities with speaker & artist Q&As, as well as direct communication via personal profiles and company pages. Participation in the MW:M Satellites is free of charge, though it requires a separate ticket and prior registration via mwm-berlin.de/tickets. The unique MW:M Satellites ticket additionally allows access to the virtual event platform and online participation in MW:M Live. The live broadcast of the listen to berlin: Awards can be experienced via the platform and free of charge on all online channels of the Berlin Music Commission. In addition, parts of the MW:M20 programme will be streamed freely accessible via MW:M’s social media channels.

 

“At Most Wanted: Music 2020, we are taking all necessary measures to prevent infection in order to ensure the greatest possible safety at Alte Münze Berlin. This includes strict compliance with all applicable safety and hygiene regulations, including social distancing, compulsory use of masks throughout the building, and the registration of personal data at the entrance to the event.”, says project director Stephan Hengst, regarding to the safety precautions of the conference.

 

Most Wanted: Music is an event organised by the Berlin Music Commission on behalf of the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Enterprises.

 

Press Contact and Accreditation: Anna Jakisch, Head of Communications E-Mail: presse@buero-doering.de Phone.: +49 152 03276440

 

EPK