Speed Networking: Meet the Germans

@M Hotel CD

Participants: Alexander Bernath (Alexander Agency, DE), Alexander Dommisch (Waterfall Records, DE), Anita Richelli (Brighter Agency, Most Wanted: Music, DE), Dominique Panther-Robinson (Kiosque Booking, DE), Hanna Döring (Cabin Artists, DE), Jessica Kert (artist, DE), Lena Obara (Sector C, DE), Lilia Ohls (Tapete Musik, DE), Niklas Tschaikowsky (pøj pøj, DE), Samira Wacker (DQ Agency, DE)

Speed Networking

In collaboration with Initiative Musik, MENT is hosting a speed networking session with a colourful group of German music professionals, where you will have the opportunity to meet booking agents, promoters, label representatives and other interesting profiles.

Closed session. Registrations are closed.

You can write to conference@ment.si to check if there is any additional free slot left.

Speed Networking: AJMO! Croatian Venues & Promoters

@M Hotel HJ

Participants: Hrvoje Jelković & Magdalena Šetka Jelković (Azimut, Udruga Kolektiv 4B, Šibenik, HR), Matea Marić (Koordinacije udruga mladih Sisak, HR), Petra Marčinko (Art radionica Lazareti, Dubrovnik, HR), Marijan Galović & Gabriel Šafranko (Udruga K.V.A.R.K., Križevci, HR), Marta Džaja (A.R.L.A., Đakovo, HR), Ivan Latin & Tena Vrzan (Centar za mlade Čakovec, HR), Katarina Gugo & Matija Miličević - Gregov (ATRIBUT, Knin, HR), Tin Šemovčan (Centar urbane kulture Regenerator, Zabok, HR), Karla Dorkić & Dino Grgurić (Studio Panorama, Krk, HR), Romana Tekić & Vedran Živković (Galerija umjetnina grada Slavonskog Broda, HR), Ante Gusić & Bartul Vuksan - Ćusa (Udruga Vlajter-ego, Benkovac, HR).

Speed Networking

In collaboration with We Move Music Croatia and SHIP Festival, we are hosting a speed networking session with representatives of Croatian venues involved in the AJMO! project, which aims to promote and support live music in smaller Croatian towns.

Closed session. Registrations are closed.

You can write to conference@ment.si to check if there is any additional free slot left.

Speed Networking: Meet the Slovenian Venues and Promoters

@M Hotel AB

Participants: Aljoša Peternel (Vakum, Maribor, SI), Andrej Sevšek (Kino Šiška Ljubljana, Punk Rock Holiday, SI), Darjan Kruševac (Trainstation, Kranj, SI), Dejan Požegar (Kunigunda, eMCe Plac, Velenje, SI), Jaka Miklavčič (CMK, Koper, SI ), Jan Surina (MKNŽ, Ilirska Bistrica, SI), Katarina Desković & Luka Flegar (Gala Hala, Ljubljana, SI), Mojca Selak (AKC Nama, In Memoriam prof. Peter Hafner, Škofja Loka, SI), Nik Drozg (Level Up, Channel Zero, Ljubljana, SI), Tadej Stolič (KUD Morgan, Festival Glasbe sveta, Nova Gorica, SI).

Speed Networking

Though the Slovenian music market is small, it still offers many interesting live venues and promoters, even in the smaller towns. At MENT, you have a great opportunity to meet and present your work to a selection of renowned venues and promoters in Slovenia. Join the ride from Maribor to Kranj and Koper, and grab the opportunity to play in our country.

Closed session. Registrations are closed.

You can write to conference@ment.si to check if there is any additional free slot left.

UPBEAT Listening Session

@Kino Šiška - Komuna

Moderator: Ira Kolbezen (Glitterbeat Records, SI)

Speakers: Aleksandra Pavlović (SKC Kragujevac, Estam, RS), Thijs Vandewalle (Gri Gri Music, Anamma, BE), John Fitzgerald (Vagabond Booking, IE), Marisa Segala (Crossover Frequencies, Resonator, DK)

Let’s immerse ourselves in the sounds of this year’s MENT artists that operate in the sphere of contemporary world music in the broadest possible sense. Agents and festival organisers from this background will listen to the selected songs and provide their direct, honest and constructive feedback.

MENToring Session: Showcase Festivals

@M Hotel E

Speaker: Katja Thalerová (Sharpe Festival, LALA Slovak Music Export, SK) MENToring session

MENToring Session on Showcase Festivals with Katja Thalerová (Sharpe Festival, LALA Slovak Music Export, SK).

The mentoring sessions format is a 60-minute session with 5 pre-registered participants. The sessions are participant-led – the mentor will offer only a brief introduction to their background, and the rest of the session will be spent on answering and discussing participants’ questions. Review the mentor’s profile, research the topic and your challenges, and prepare questions – it is up to you to make the most out of it.

Closed session. Registrations are closed.

New Faces: Generation 2025

@M Hotel HJ

Moderator: Katja Jukić (Tvornica kulture, JeboTon, HR)

Speakers: Špela Cvetko (Jazzchange, SI), Monica Miroslavova Petrova (SoAlive Music Conference, BG), Tena Kovačić (INmusic Festival, HR), Marin Zelić (Pandemonium Festival, HR), Ivana Jovanović (Zeleni Kačket, RS), Ružica Petrova (MENT Ljubljana, Radio Študent, SI), Kristiyana Zhulienova Georgieva (ANMIP, BG), Nadica Banishka (Gola Planina, Mrtov Konj, MK), Jane Veljanoski (Dope Kukjata, MK), Branislav Cvetković (Balkanrock, RS)

New Faces is a regional initiative launched by partners MENT Ljubljana, PIN Music Conference, Kontakt and SHIP, now joined by the Bulgarian SoAlive Music Conference. Each year, it presents the ten most promising new faces (under 30) active on the former Yugoslavia and Bulgarian music scene. Let’s meet the generation of 2025, the current and future driving forces of the regional music industry.

Amplifying Local Sounds to Meet Global Sync Industry Demands

@M Hotel AB

Moderator: Manca Ogrin (SIGIC, SI)

Speakers: Patrycja Bukowska (music supervisor, PL), Lena Obara (Sector C, DE)

Explore the dynamics of local sync markets, the use of regional music and comparisons between the German and Polish landscapes. Gain insights into what filmmakers, advertisers and game developers prioritise when selecting music and uncover strategies to enhance education, trust and collaboration between music professionals and audiovisual industries.

Keynote Interview: Gilles Peterson

@Kino Šiška - Katedrala

Moderator: Borja Močnik - Borka (rx:tx, SI)

Speaker: Gilles Peterson (DJ, BBC Radio 6 Music, Brownswood Recordings, UK) Interview

Join us for an in-depth interview with Gilles Peterson, the legendary UK radio host, DJ, label owner, festival promoter, record collector and music fan. Gilles hosts a celebrated weekly show on BBC Radio 6 Music, runs the influential Brownswood Recordings label, curates the We Out Here and Worldwide festivals and is founder of Worldwide FM. Known for championing jazz, hip-hop and electronic music, his career spans from pirate radio beginnings to curating game-changing labels and festivals. Discover his journey, creative ventures and impact on global music culture.

Czech-back Reception

@Kino Šiška - Kamera

Presented by: SoundCzech

Receptions

Czech music continues to make waves in the international scene, and the heartfelt curatorial policy of MENT will provide music lovers with a chance to discover a fresh batch of contemporary Czech sounds. In the meantime we have another already traditional occasion to raise a glass to the evolution of Czech music at MENT. Our artists are getting to stages on all corners of the globe, while our sounds via film music, and gaming as well getting to phones and screens.

Come and meet us between panels, and have a brunch-bite a refreshing drink while connecting with your old buddies, and new friends from the Czech land

Listening Session

@Kino Šiška - Komuna

Moderator: Danaja Volk (Most Wanted: Music, Sub_Bar, CounterCult, DE/SI)

Speakers: Anne Runge (Fusion Festival, DE), Alan Pedder (The Line of Best Fit, The Needle Drop, UK, SE), Chris Angiolini (Bronson Produzioni, Beaches Brew Festival, IT), Robert Meijerink (ESNS, NL)

Selected music professionals will listen to songs by selected MENT 2025 artists and offer their immediate, direct and honest feedback. Would they book the artist? What may be the entry points to their countries? Is there room for improvement? A chance to hear an honest analysis of individual songs by music professionals.

Serbian Music Festival Landscape

@M Hotel HJ

Moderator: Edo Plovanić (Muzika.hr, HR)

Speakers: Filip Arsić (Arsenal Festival, RS), Miroslav Miletić (Exit Festival, No Sleep Festival, RS), Tamás Horváth (Malomfesztivál, RS), Aleksandra Pavlović (SKC Kragujevac, Estam, RS)

Let’s get to know the Serbian festival scene – from the well-known Exit Festival to the hidden gem of Malomfesztivál in the Vojvodina Plain. We will learn about the main organisational challenges in a region with less spending power than in the West and how this affects the festival programme. What is the role of festivals in promoting local and regional performers? What are festival audiences like and what are their expectations? And what is the impact of festivals on culture and tourism in Serbia?

Powered by Serbia Creates.

Modular Music Communities

@M Hotel CD

Moderator: Ana Rome (Clockwork Voltage, SI/DE)

Speakers: Jessica Kert (artist, DE), Jaka Berger (Clockwork Voltage, SI), Vladyslav Yakovenko (Bologna Modulare, Polyterative, IT), Benjamin Chilton (Machina Bristronica, Elevator Sound, UK)

The modular music community is one of the more innovative and fast-growing creative scenes, transcending the traditional boundaries of music production. How do modular synthesizers bring together music creators and gearheads? What is the role of the community in the development of these tools and how is knowledge shared? What is the role of event organisation in terms of community building? What are the challenges and opportunities for modular musicians and how does this scene influence contemporary electronic production?

Music Discovery = The Headliner

@M Hotel AB

Moderator: Magdalena Angulska (MIH Agency, PL)

Speakers: Bronne Keesmaat (Rewire, NL), Lisa Meyer (Supersonic Festival, Capsule, UK)

Music festivals with a more adventurous curatorial vision play a key role in discovering and showcasing new and old talent, and are particularly exciting for more curious audiences. In conversation with the programme directors of Rewire and Supersonic, we will examine how such festivals develop their programme, include promising new artists, ensure genre diversity and encourage audiences to discover new music and talent. We will also discuss the key challenges for the future of such festivals and their impact on the wider music scene.

MENToring Session: Artist Management

@M Hotel E

Speaker: Dénes Pécsi-Szabó (Up Music Budapest, HU) MENToring session

MENToring Session on Artist Management with Dénes Pécsi-Szabó (UP Music Budapest, HU).

The mentoring sessions format is a 60-minute session with 5 pre-registered participants. The sessions are participant-led – the mentor will offer only a brief introduction to their background, and the rest of the session will be spent on answering and discussing participants’ questions. Review the mentor’s profile, research the topic and your challenges, and prepare questions – it is up to you to make the most out of it.

Closed session. Registrations are closed.

New Moves on the Balkans: New Showcase Festivals, Fresh Export Offices

@M Hotel HJ

Moderator: Primož Kristan (SIGIC, Music Slovenia, SI)

Speakers: Davor Drezga (We Move Music Croatia, SHIP, HR), Zorica Tepić (Serbia Creates, RS), Ruth Koleva (SoAlive Music Conference, Sofia Live Festival, BG)

In the Balkans, new initiatives to promote and export music to international markets have emerged in the last three years. How are new showcase festivals such as SHIP in Šibenik and the SoAlive Music Conference in Sofia, as well as the export offices We Move Music Croatia and Serbia Creates Music changing the regional music scene? What are the experiences, results and key challenges for the future? What are the potentials and appropriate strategies for regional musicians to break into foreign markets?

Interview: t0ni & DJ GHEPARD (Soul Feeder)

@M Hotel CD

Moderator: Gabriele Steffe (Nimaš izbire, SI)

Speakers: t0ni – Thomas Borgogni (Soul Feeder, AU, IT), DJ GHEPARD – Michele Sinatti (Soul Feeder, DE, IT) Interview

Explore the creative world of Soul Feeder with founders t0ni and DJ GHEPARD. From its roots as a label, online magazine and art collective, Soul Feeder has become a hub for boundary-pushing electronic music. t0ni’s emotive ambient productions and DJ GHEPARD’s fusion of hardcore, EDM and video-game-inspired soundscapes reflect their innovative vision. We will discuss their journey, artistic ethos and other topics at the intersection of music, identity and digital culture.

Don’t miss Soul Feeder artists live in action with t0ni, DJ GHEPARD, TUNA DISPLAY and BoLs/sLoB at Channel Zero on February 13th.

Interview: Jude Rogers

@M Hotel AB

Moderator: Jaša Bužinel (MENT Ljubljana, Sonica Festival, The Quietus, SI)

Speaker: Jude Rogers (The Guardian, The Observer, UK) Interview

Jude Rogers is an acclaimed journalist, author and broadcaster. Known for her work for The Guardian, The Observer, Mojo and more, Jude’s writing explores music’s deep cultural impact. She is author of The Sound of Being Human: How Music Shapes Our Lives, a poignant memoir intertwining personal stories with music history, sociology, psychology, neuroscience and anthropology. Gain a unique perspective on music’s emotional power and its role in shaping identities and memories.

Agent’s Panel: Developing New Artists

@M Hotel HJ

Moderator: David Čajčík (Heartnoize Promotion, CZ)

Speakers: George Beleznay (Qu Junktions, UK), Steven Thomassen (Toutpartout, BE), Alba Martin (Earth Agency, UK)

How do booking agents approach the development of new artists? In the hyper-speed world – Is it still too early to sign at any point? What strategies do agents use to arrange their first tours and get promoters interested? Should new artists prioritise boutique festivals or intimate headline shows to make their mark? What is the right mix and how important is it to be patient – when do new artists to break through? And when and why do collaborations break down?

Release Strategies and Creative Marketing in 2025

@M Hotel CD

Moderator: Paulina Parvanov (raspberry soda, LIME, AT)

Speakers: Joe Andrews (The Orchard, UK), Maria Brachmańska (Substandart, CRESQA, AT)

Navigating an oversaturated market, this panel explores how to craft effective release strategies and innovative marketing campaigns in 2025. From optimising release schedules and leveraging data analytics for streaming to building authentic artist-fan connections, panelists will share insights on the creative use of social media, unique promotional techniques and tips for independent artists and labels to stand out and break through the noise. We will conclude the discussion with a look at future trends and challenges.

MENToring Session: Creative Europe Funding

@M Hotel E

Speakers: Mateja Lazar (Motovila, CED Slovenia, SI), Anera Stopfer (Creative Europe Desk Croatia, HR) MENToring session

MENToring Session on Creative Europe Funding with Anera Stopfer (Creative Europe Desk Croatia, HR) and Mateja Lazar (Motovila, CED Slovenia, SI).

The mentoring sessions format is a 60-minute session with 5 pre-registered participants. The sessions are participant-led – the mentor will offer only a brief introduction to their background, and the rest of the session will be spent on answering and discussing participants’ questions. Review the mentor’s profile, research the topic and your challenges, and prepare questions – it is up to you to make the most out of it.

Closed session. Registrations are closed.