New sessions & speaker for the Conference
What does it take to build artists’ long-term success? Natascha Augustin and Molly Mönch will discuss strategic artist and audience development in the session “Reaching for the Next Stars,” presented by Forum Musikwirtschaft. Together, they’ll explore how labels, management companies, agencies, promoters, and venues can shape sustainable careers—and what role reach, live experiences, and fan engagement play in this process.
Artificial intelligence is fundamentally transforming the music industry—but what’s next? François Pachet, an AI and music researcher and former head of the Spotify Creator Technology Research Lab, looks back on three decades at the intersection of technology and music at MUSIC FRONTIERS. His fireside chat, “Music, AI & What Comes Next,” explores the developments that have already transformed music production—and examines where the journey is headed next.
As technological possibilities continue to evolve rapidly, the global balance of power in the music and creative industries is also shifting. In “Music, Markets & the Global South,” Christina Semba and Thomas Fischermann discuss the growing influence of the Global South on international markets and what these changes mean for Western labels, platforms, and artists. A central focus here is also the question of how cultural self-determination and economic strength create new spaces for global sounds.
Who actually shapes the careers of tomorrow’s stars? In “Talking A&R,” presented by MusikWoche, different perspectives on the future of artist development come together. Maximilian Papproth, Henrike Blome, Laura Minutolo, and Sarah Schneider discuss whether traditional label structures are losing their importance—or whether they will continue to play a central role. This also touches on the growing importance of record labels, which—thanks to their early involvement with female songwriters and producers—are increasingly becoming key players in shaping their careers.
The immowelt case study “Real Music – Better Campaign: How immowelt Bet on Nostalgia Over AI” demonstrates that cultural relevance does not necessarily stem from technological innovation. Theo Mseka, Lukas Rieger, and Steffi Kim provide insights into a campaign that deliberately relied on a carefully selected song and the emotional power of nostalgia rather than AI-generated sound. Together, they demonstrate why authentic music can resonate culturally even within the fast-paced TikTok ecosystem.
Our conference program also explores the intersection of work and caregiving responsibilities: In “Between Charts and Care Levels,” Sorab Asar, Anna Groß, and Shari Who talk with Lina Burghausen about personal experiences, structural barriers, and the often-invisible caregiving work that goes on behind the scenes in the music industry. As part of an “Open Chair” session, the audience is also expressly invited to participate and join in the discussion of specific demands and new perspectives.
You can find all the information about the Reeperbahn Festival Conference here.