The Great Escape has confirmed details of the three-day TGE:Convention for its annual Brighton event.
For the first time ever, the conference element of the new music festival will begin the day before the music starts on May 17, as it joins a new partnership with the Unsigned Music Awards also taking place on Wednesday 16.
This year sees the return of its TGE: In-Conversation with Kobalt CEO Willard Ahdritz, before the full-day conference begins.
A different theme will be covered each day, focusing on China, AI and education, with industry speakers from BIMM, Deviate Digital, Urban Development and IFPI, among others.
Rory Bett, CEO of MAMA, which owns The Great Escape, stated: “The programme we present for industry delegates at The Great Escape always breaks new ground, repeatedly putting the spotlight on the challenges and opportunities that will then dominate the conversation in the music industry in the year ahead.
“This year we’ll consider the future of music education; demo and discuss the new technologies that will drive the next phase of the industry’s development; and provide an insider’s guide to China, the emerging market which is becoming increasingly key for all of us in the music business. I’m also excited about the return of our TGE:In-Conversation programme, where we will be inviting some of the key players in the music industry to share both their journey so far and their thoughts for the future.”
View the full schedule for The Great Escape convention below.
TGE:In-Conversation
Wednesday, May 16
A series of one-on-one interviews with artists and industry experts, the first will be in conversation with Kobalt Music CEO Willard Ahdritz.
The Education Conference
Wednesday, May 16
Guests from BIMM, Features Artists Coalition and Urban Development, will discuss music education in the UK and beyond.
The AI Conference
Thursday, May 17
Looking at the new technology that can be expected to impact the music industry in the next decade. Speakers from Deviate, Reed Smith and Mycelia will feature.
The China Conference
Friday, May 20
This will feature an in-depth look at emerging markets with speakers from IFPI, Outdustry and NetEase Cloud Music.
TGE:DIY
Saturday, May 20
Panels, tips and advice for aspiring artists and those wanting to enter the industry.
TGE: Courtroom-sessions
Panels covering various discussions, which will be hosted by the partners of The Great Escape.
With tickets on sale now, The Great Escape previously announced the First Fifty acts set to play in 2018. MoStack and Mist have also been unveiled as headliners.
Catch up on what happened at 2017’s TGE here.
By Sarah Thomas
