Round­ta­ble: Beyond the Gate­kee­pers: New Al­li­ances Between Labels, Record Stores and Fans

The number of participants is limited. If you are interested in taking part, please register by 16 September

Following the successful first roundtable at this year's c/o pop Convention, this discussion continues as part of an ongoing international dialogue. By bringing together a new group of participants and perspectives, we aim to broaden the conversation, gather diverse insights from across the music ecosystem, and combine the findings into a published set of recommendations.

More and more labels are embracing direct-to-fan sales through their own online stores and platforms—often before records reach retail. While this creates stronger fan relationships and higher margins, it can also lead to tensions with record stores. This roundtable explores how labels, retailers, and artists can build new partnerships, strengthen local music ecosystems, and reduce dependence on traditional gatekeepers.

Places are limited – please register by 16 September here