Speed Networking: Meet the Austrian Music Professionals

@M Hotel AB

Participants: Branko Djukic (Tape Capitol Music, AT), Giovanna Fartacek (Waves Vienna, AT), Johanna Kropfitsch (Concertify, AT), Martina Brunner (Vienna Club Commission, AT), Nicolas Frick (FYI Agency, AT), Noah Kerbler (Noah Management - Lukas Oscar, AT), Patrick Tilg (Feberwolle, AT), Paulina Parvanov (raspberry soda, LIME, AT), Reinhold Seyfriedsberger (Spoon Agency, AT), Sarah Moussa (Katarakt Music, AT), Samo Stern (Acoustic Lakeside, AT).

Speed Networking

In collaboration with Austrian Music Export, we are hosting a speed networking session with Austrian music professionals. Take the opportunity to get in touch with some of the key players of the Austrian music scene, from promoters and booking agents to label representatives, managers and more.

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 World Music & Global Sounds Promoters and Festivals

@M Hotel CD

Participants: Aleksander Mottori (Clandestino Fest, SE), Aleksandra Pavlović (Estam Festival, RS), Balazs Weyer (Hangvető, UPBEAT, Budapest Ritmo, HU), Bogdan Benigar (Druga Godba, Domingo Productions, SI), Emir Fulurija (Vrelo zvuka, HR), Girisha Fernando (Water & Sound Festival, Brechtfestival, DE), Jozsef Halmen (Mumush, Stairway Booking, F-Cat Productions, RO), Lisa Branigan (Green Futures Festivals, Re-Play Music C.I.C, UK), Marco Stangherlin (Wakeupandream, IT), Stéphane Krasniewski (Festival Les Suds, à Arles, FR).

Speed Networking

MENT offers a great opportunity to meet and present your work to some of the most renowned world music and global sounds promoters as well as music festivals – from Romania and Serbia to Sweden and France, and all the way to Glastonbury! Don’t miss your chance to make new useful personal contacts.

Closed session. Applications are closed.

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

CE/MENT Listening Session

@Kino Šiška - Komuna

Moderator: Loti Kavšek (Lottie, SI)

Speakers: Márton Csuka (Turbina, Kolorádó Festival, HU), Nadja Bozic (Ekipa, DE), Marina George (Tresor, DE), Matwe Kaščák (SPFM Booking, SK) CE/MENT

A group of professionals from the electronic music scene will go on a blind date with songs by selected local and regional artists, who will receive 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.

Where to Find Great Music From Other Parts of Europe?

@M Hotel HJ

Moderator: Katja Thalerová (Sharpe Festival, LALA Slovak Music Export, SK)

Speakers: Lisa Branigan (Green Futures Festivals, Re-Play Music C.I.C, UK), Michal Kaščák (Pohoda Festival, SK), Michal Pařízek (Full Moon Magazine, CZ)

The majority of European festival lineups and music media outlets are still dominated by Anglo-American artists for many reasons, but at the same time there is lots of exceptional music from all across Europe. Let’s get out of our comfort zone! We will discuss where to find such hidden gems and emerging talents, and how to support and showcase them at an international level. We will hopefully find a way for exciting music from our part of Europe to be more exposed, recognised and shine brighter.

MENToring Session: Poland Live Music Market

@M Hotel E

Speaker: Magdalena Angulska (MIH Agency, PL) MENToring session

MENToring Session on Poland Live Music Market with Magdalena Angulska (MIH Agency, PL).

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.

GAS Live Music Ecosystem

@M Hotel CD

Moderator: Giovanna Fartacek (Waves Vienna, AT)

Speakers: Reinhold Seyfriedsberger (Spoon Agency, AT), Samira Wacker (dq agency, Jenseits von Millionen Festival, DE), Manuel Schottmüller (Emerged Agency, DE)

The German-speaking area (GAS – Germany, Austria, Switzerland) is one of the largest and most developed music markets in Europe, with high purchasing power and a large audience, but it is also an extremely competitive market. What are the possible strategies for emerging artists to enter such a saturated market? How do festivals, clubs and concert venues operate and what trends are shaping the live music scene? What are the specificities of each country? Let’s find out the many secrets of this challenging but also rewarding live music market.

Interview: Michail Stangl (Opium Hum)

@Kino Šiška - Komuna

Moderators: Matwe Kaščák (SPFM Booking, SK), Paula Poštolková (SPFM Booking, SK)

Speaker: Michail Stangl (Opium Hum, CTM Festival, DE) CE/MENT

Michail Stangl is one of the key figures in the global electronic music underground for over 15 years. Known for his work as a programmer at Boiler Room and curator of Berlin’s CTM Festival, Michail has shaped groundbreaking events like Leisure System and Hyper Real. With performances in over 40 countries and deep ties to iconic scenes like São Paulo’s Vampire Haus, Michail offers unparalleled insight into electronic music’s transformative power and cultural impact.

Exploring the Croatian Live Music Market

@M Hotel AB

Moderator: Rok Košir (Most Music Agency, SI)

Speakers: Dražen Baljak (We Move Music Croatia, Let 3, HR), Mirna Čupić (ZEZ/KSET, Music Biennale Zagreb, HR), Magdalena Šetka Jelković (Azimut, HR), Ivana Jelača (INmusic Festival, HR)

Let’s get to know the Croatian live music market from different perspectives and compare the concert scene in Zagreb with the rest of the country. What is the diversity and development of DIY club spaces like? What is the role of music festivals, which mostly take place in the summer months on the sprawling Adriatic coast? What are the opportunities and key entry points for up-and-coming international music artists? And what is the Croatian concert crowd like?

Record Label Panel: Developing New Artists

@M Hotel HJ

Moderator: Silvij Skok (Glitterbeat Records, SI)

Speakers: Ellie Rumbold (Partisan Records, DE), Paul Jones (Rough Trade, UK), Anika Mottershaw (Bella Union, UK)

In the ever-evolving music industry where label work is getting more and more diversified, the role of A&R also has transformed. The panel explores how labels scout new talent in a crowded landscape, foster artist development and growth, and how the relationship between record labels, artists, their management and agents is changing. What are the strategies for developing and marketing emerging artists in a competitive market, and how to build long-term careers in an era where live performance, streaming, and fan engagement define success?

MENToring Session: Digital Marketing in Music

@M Hotel E

Speaker: Lenka Pittnerová (Heartnoize Promotion, CZ) MENToring session

MENToring Session on Digital Marketing in Music with Lenka Pittnerová (Heartnoize Promotion, CZ).

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.

Interview: Elisa Luengo (Dekmantel)

@Kino Šiška - Komuna

Moderator: Chal Ravens (music journalist, No Tags podcast, UK)

Speaker: Elisa Luengo (Dekmantel, NL) CE/MENT

Join Elisa Luengo, music programmer at Dekmantel, as she delves into the vision behind one of the world’s most celebrated electronic music festivals. From curating cutting-edge lineups to exploring new ways of engaging audiences, Elisa will share insights into the creative process that keeps Dekmantel at the forefront of festival innovation. Discover how she and the team craft unforgettable experiences that push the boundaries of electronic music and event culture.

The Orchard x Croatia Records Happy Hour

@Kino Šiška - Kamera

Presented by: The Orchard.

Receptions

The Orchard and Croatia Records are celebrating our new partnership! Join us for a Happy Hour during a MENT Festival to enjoy great conversation on industry news and regional music over drinks.

Plan B for the Music Industry

@M Hotel HJ

Speakers: Chris Cooke (CMU, UK), Scott Cohen (JKBX, UK)

The music industry is constantly faced with challenges that require flexibility and innovative solutions, but on the other hand many things are fundamentally “cemented” and difficult to change. In a conversation between two great experts on the music ecosystem, we will inquire what the music industry of the future could look like. A chance to look into the future and get tips on how to adapt to the coming changes.

The Role of Record Labels in Electronic Music

@Kino Šiška - Komuna

Moderator: Nina Maštruko (Babilonska, HR)

Speakers: Rob Booth (Houndstooth, Fabric, UK), Marcus Scott (Hyperdub, UK) CE/MENT

The representatives of two acclaimed UK labels, Hyperdub and Houndstooth, will discuss the role of labels in electronic music today. How do they co-shape the music scene, support and showcase new artists, find and reach target audiences, and maintain their identity and creative vision in a rapidly changing music landscape? And what will be the future of electronic music labels in the next decade?

MENToring Session: Festival Booking

@M Hotel E

Speaker: Márcio Laranjeira (Lovers & Lollypops, Tremor, Square, PT) MENToring session

MENToring Session on Festival Booking with Márcio Laranjeira (Lovers & Lollypops, Tremor, Square, PT).

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.

Dogaja Project: Presentation And Debate

@M Hotel CD

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

Speakers: Lorena Junghans (KINDA, DE), Kasja Borić (Tailored Communication, HR, DE), Mirna Čupić (ZEZ/KSET, Music Biennale Zagreb, HR)

Take a seat at the table as we present the findings from the collaborative project between Most Wanted: Music, MENT and the New Faces pilot project Dogaja – a bridge between Berlin and the local music markets of Slovenia, Croatia and North Macedonia. We will talk about how to craft fresh formats, dissect ideas like pros and tackle the eternal mystery of funding. Stick around to meet other music minds and pick up a few survival tips for your next trip to Berlin.

Amplifying Talent: The State of Music Business Education in Europe

@M Hotel AB

Moderator: Karla Rogozar (IMPALA, BE)

Speakers: Dario Draštata (Dallas Records, RUNDA, IMPALA, HR), Paulina Parvanov (raspberry soda, LIME, AT), Ruth Koleva (SoAlive Music Conference, Sofia Live Festival, BG)

This panel will explore the state of music business education in Europe, with a special focus on Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Experts will discuss the current state of programmes, share experiences and highlight what is missing in the region and beyond. The discussion will feature the best practices from across Europe and identify gaps in practical training. Panelists will also announce upcoming projects, designed to strengthen music business education.

Powered by IMPALA & RUNDA.

Where Do You Sound From?

@M Hotel HJ

Moderator: Ula Nowak (Mosaic Beats, OFF Festival, PL)

Speakers: Sébastien ‘Scott’ Gillot (Soyouz, FR), Chris Eckman (Glitterbeat Records, SI), Marisa Segala (Crossover Frequencies, Resonator, DK)

A huge variety of music from all over the globe is lumped under the very general term, world music. In recent years, a number of such artists have attracted the interest of the general public and concert and festival organisers beyond the strict confines of the genre. What does this term represent to the performers themselves and other players in the music industry? What are the key strengths and challenges for such artists in Europe? Where are new artists entering the market and what is the role of festivals and labels in this? And where do our speakers discover new music and artists?

Clubs and Clubbing: Programme, Challenges, Economy

@Kino Šiška - Komuna

Moderator: Martina Brunner (Vienna Club Commission, AT)

Speakers: Márton Csuka (Turbina, Kolorádó Festival, HU), Jędrzej Kowalczyk (Jasna 1, PL), Jonáš Verešpej (Ankali, CZ) CE/MENT

Club infrastructure, a key factor for the development of electronic music and the dance music scene, is constantly facing many challenges. How do clubs develop their vision and curate a successful programme? How do they manage to develop a community in the fragile triangle between clubs, performers and audiences? How to foster intergenerational dialogue, find new audiences and provide a platform for up-and-coming talent? And how do clubs cope with economic pressures?