A packed line up of movers and shakers will give the inside track on making it in the music industry at the Leicester Music Conference and Festival on February 28 2025.
Tik Tok, Universal Music, Ableton, Music Minds Matter, UK Music, Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), PRS, Music Managers Forum, Heritage Sounds and BBC Introducing are among the names confirmed for the conference open to artists and professionals at all career stages.
The programme has been put together by the newly formed Leicester Music Board with high demand anticipated for the 300 places. The inaugural event held earlier this year attracted a wide audience from across the East Midlands.
UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl said: “UK Music is delighted to again support the Leicester Music Conference and its fantastic programme of industry workshops and panels that will give a great insight for everyone looking for a career in the music industry.
“From Kasabian to Cornershop, Leicester has over the years developed amazing artists that have made a significant contribution to the UK music industry which is now worth £7.6billion to the economy. The conference will help highlight the work of the newly established Leicester Music Board which will play a crucial role in championing and nurturing the city’s exciting and diverse music scene.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the Board to put Leicester firmly on the map as part of a network of music cities aimed at giving everyone the chance to make the most of their musical talent. As well as supporting Leicester’s music community, the new Board can ensure music plays its part in boosting the region’s economy and generating rewarding jobs in the creative industries.”
The LMC programme will tackle a wide range of issues from mental health in the music industry and making the most of TikTok to unlocking the right funding streams and understanding copyright when releasing music.
Rachel Young, EUR Product Operations Lead for Music at TikTok, said: “We are very excited to be partnering with Leicester Music Conference for a second year, bringing TikTok best practices to local artists and introducing our digital distribution service SoundOn to the industry. It was great to be part of the inaugural launch, which drove significant value to the local music industry, becoming a tentpole in the calendar.”
Inside the Industry hosted by Universal Music will give the major label perspective on how talent is discovered and developed to give artists, producers and music professionals an understanding of the majors’ role.
The funding ecosystem will explore the right funding opportunities for different stages of music careers, with expert insights from ACE, PRS, PPL, Youth Music and the Musicians’ Union.
The Night Time Industries Association will host the Building Bridges session to find out how artists can connect with venues, the essentials of setting up and running a venue and navigating the changing night-time economy.
Opportunities in international music markets will shine a spotlight on the growing influence of South Asian music and highlight key trends, emerging markets and pathways to success within the worldwide music ecosystem. The Global Music session will be led by Sania Haq, founder of Bye 2 Stereotypes, who has more than a decade of hands-on experience working within the South Asian music industry.
Sania said: “Global genres and markets are not only driving streaming engagement but also creating opportunities for collaboration with Western artists. As we see artists like Ed Sheeran increasing their presence in India, it’s clear that understanding these markets is essential for success in today’s world.
“It’s equally important to support artists – especially those from the diaspora – who have significant opportunities to resonate in these markets but often lack the necessary support. This panel will explore how the UK music industry can tap into global opportunities, particularly by helping diaspora artists succeed.”
Other workshops include Heritage Sounds exploring the production of Music of Black Origin and a Music Managers Forum for managers, aspiring managers and artists seeking managers.
The two-day conference will open on Thursday 27 February with a day dedicated to young people as the Leicester Music Board works to create pathways into the music industry.
Booking is now open for delegate places on 28 February for access to panels, workshops and networking opportunities followed by a live music performance showcase.
Further programme details and the performance showcase line up will be announced in January. Save the date and book a delegate place for £10 pp at Leicester Music Conference tickets
www.leicestermusicconference.co.uk
