Buma Rocks!, the international conference and showcase festival for heavy music returned to the city of Nijmegen, Netherlands, for its fourth edition on Saturday, June 4.

The conference is an initiative of Buma Cultuur, the non-profit Dutch organisation that promotes and supports music from the country, which is also involved in the likes of Eurosonic Noorderslag and Amsterdam Dance Event.

The line-up featured a Q&A with Wacken Open Air’s Thomas Jensen and panels and master classes with the likes of Radio 1’s Daniel P. Carter, Ben Hylands, founder of Inspired Artists Agency and Basick Records founder Nathan Barley Phillips. Panel topics ranged from developing live acts, to engaging with the media as well as live reviews of tracks sent in.

Delivering the keynote speech was successful Belgian stand-up comedian and singer of metal band Diablo Blvd, Alex Agnew, who called on record companies to invest in artists and take more risks.

“To all the Sonys, the Universals, the Nuclear Blasts and all the record companies...take risks, don’t go with every fucking trend, but just bring out good music. Support it, spread the word and do your fucking jobs and give young bands a chance to develop,” he said.

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