Waves Festival Conference 2020

In September 2020 the Waves Festival Conference, organized by Waves Festival and Austrian Music Export, will take place for the tenth time. National and international music experts, organizers, label owners, bookers, and musicians will meet during the day for discussion and networking at the SAE Institute in Vienna and due to Covid-19 online.

The conference program addresses the challenges for the music industry triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic in a variety of ways.

International experts from the music industry will share their experiences on panels and the umbrella organization of the European Music Export Agencies EMEE will host a discussion with political decision makers and organizations on the future of the European music sector.

In addition, alternative sources of income and innovative ways of communicating and disseminating content will be explored in workshops and presentations.

For example, Bandcamp, a service that has been able to make positive headlines through effective support actions for artists and labels, will hold a webinar.

The Vienna Club Commission and the local indie label association VTMÖ are inviting everyone to discussions about coordinated support measures for clubs and promoters and fair payment on streaming portals.

This year’s host countries UK and Ukraine will present their music scenes and markets, and special networking sessions will provide an opportunity to establish contacts with important industry representatives from both countries. A workshop will explain the expected effects of Brexit on the cooperation with the UK.

Feedback Listening Sessions and numerous viral networking formats complement the future-oriented program.

True to the motto “East meets West”, the focus this year is once again on two partner countries.

Focus countries 2020: UK and Ukraine