Programme for the day

Sessions & Workshops

Each activity is designed to bring attendees together to discuss key areas of interest for the grassroots live music ecosystem

1. Mind the Gap: How to Navigate the ‘Seasons’ in Grassroots Music – facilitator TBC
   Where: The Gulbenkian
   The Grassroots Music sector has distinct seasons which impact on available work for individuals and viability for venues and companies trying to operate all year round. A discussion about how we share information and opportunities so that everyone in the ecosystem can earn a living and the framework we need can endure the quiet periods.
2. Easing the Pains of Paying for the Show – facilitated by John Rostron (AIF)
   Where: Club Room
   How do you best cash-flow a show? Agents require deposits, venues require hire fees, and marketing spend goes out in advance. Finding that money is hard as an independent. Who should be paid when? What are reasonable terms? Are you allowed to draw ticket money down? If so, what’s best practice? What ticket allocation should a venue hold? Are there different practices across festivals, promoters, and venues, or is there any learning to share that would help improve financial pressures for all?
3. Emerging Professionals Meet Up – facilitated by Matt Hanner (Make Damn Sure)
   Where: The Fitzrovia
   Are you an agent, booker, programmer or promoter who has been working in live music for less than 3 years? An opportunity to meet with other early career professionals and talk about building your network.
4. The Future of Independent Agencies – facilitated by TEAA
   Where: The Marylebone
   A chance for agents to connect and discuss the current challenges and opportunities for smaller agencies.
5. Building a Fair Deal – What Goes into a Strong Show Offer? – facilitated by Nathan
   Clark (AIP/Brudenell Social club)
   Where: The Gulbenkian
   Whilst every show is different, in this workshop we will work with a fictional 200 capacity show, artist and ticket price as a promoter and agent lead the room to hear how individuals build up their offer. What’s reasonable to include in the offer? What is not? How should it be presented? How should it be negotiated? Working through guarantee/split, venue costs, production, marketing, ticket fees and break-even to hear from all sides what makes a strong, workable offer.
6. Session TBC
   Where: Club Room
7. Inspiring Artists & Audiences: A Practical Guide to Working in Non-Traditional Venues
   – facilitated by Anna Moulson (AIP)
   Where: The Marylebone
   How to run events in historical buildings and community spaces. Artists sometimes want a special setting for their music; these spaces can be difficult to navigate, but they can also inspire audiences to attend and generate extra revenue through bar sales. This session is for promoters/agents/bookers who want to feel confident accessing these spaces, with practical tips on dealing with the organisation that runs them, the paperwork, and staff, and on making it a positive experience for artists staff, and audiences.
8. Marketing – What’s Hot & What’s Not – facilitated by John Rostron (AIF)
   Where: The Gulbenkian
   An update to GND25’s hit session. Mailchimp or Furiosa? Upsell or Cross Sell? Tracking your cost per sale and realising that sale might not even be worth it. What marketing is currently working for you, what should get in the bin, and what might be possible if promoters, venues and festivals worked better together?
9. The Liveline Fund – facilitated by MVT, AIP & SOS
   Where: Club Room
   The fund creators and partners present the basics about this national, risk-sharing fund rebuilding grassroots touring, programming and local music scenes across the UK, and answer all of your questions.
10. Routes to New Audiences: A Practical Session – facilitated by Georgie Pope (Marsm
    UK/SOAS Concert Series/Global Music Academy)
    Where: The Marylebone
    How can your venue reach audiences who aren’t coming through the door? In this interactive workshop, we’ll share ideas, explore real examples, and develop practical ways to reach new audiences through diverse programming, culturally sensitive marketing, and community partnerships. Specially designed for venues with low budgets and limited capacity!
11. AIP Members Meet Up
    Where: The Gulbenkian
12. Session TBC
    Where: Club Room
13. AIF Members Meet Up
    Where: The Marylebone