To open the conference programme, this discussion covers the current state of the independent music sector in the UK. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the scene at the moment from the perspective of artists, venues, record labels and festivals, and what are the key challenges we face in sustaining and growing a prosperous and equitable industry?  

Un-Convention is delighted to be part of a European-wide fellowship programme, funded by Creative Europe and working alongside MaMA (France), Nouvelle Prague (Czech Republic), Linecheck (Italy), MIL (Portugal) and Athens Music Week (Greece) to support innovative music professionals. This event in Manchester sees the launch of the second fellowship and we will be making a presentation about the project, the participants and how you can get involved in the future.

Daniel Levitin’s book, ‘This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession’ is a ground-breaking exploration of how our brains interact with music. Looking at why we make and love music, Daniel argues that music is fundamental to the human species, perhaps even more so than language itself. In this session he will be discussing his work with fellow author Daniel Rachel, covering themes such as why and how music gives us pleasure, why we are emotionally attached to it, and how we develop musical expertise. 

A discussion on the current challenges of music scenes around the UK. The Regional Music Scenes Network has been set up to help share ideas and best practice between those championing independent music across the country, from large cities to towns and rural areas. The purpose of the network is to identify what is and isn't working in various scenes with a view to developing strategies to help support music making in the future. 

Record Labels have always shouldered more than their fair share of risk in the music industry. Believing in talent and putting their money where their mouth is has meant they have been at the forefront of defining popular culture for the last seventy years. Of course, it hasn't been an easy ride, but as we enter a new decade we take a look at how labels are coping in the modern landscape. Streaming is booming, but the attention economy is fierce, and with tens of thousands of songs released each day how do labels make sense of it all? Here we meet a range of labels that are adapting to the new ways of music consumption, to get insight into how we can successfully champion music in the modern world. 

The Musicians' Union host networking drinks and a special panel session:

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​There’s no denying that the categorization of artists and songs into genres can be vital in terms of marketing, promoting, curating and showcasing music. But how do these genre groups compare when it comes to the support, opportunities and networks involved in the regional and national industries? We’ll talk about the radio & live platforms available to niche artists, the financial support available to diverse groups, and the effectiveness of genres in creating musical communities and audiences.