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Music Cities Afternoon

  • Sonic Lab, Sonic Arts Research Centre Cloreen Park Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT9 5HN United Kingdom (map)

Our Music Cities Afternoon is designed to bring people together and an opportunity to discuss a range of issues affecting musicians and our wider music community. Our aim is to bring local and national thought leaders alongside music creatives and  policymakers  to discuss the power, purpose and challenge of music cities.

All panels will happen in the main room at the Sonic Arts Research Centre at Queens University Belfast. There will also be a number of special interest breakout sessions happening in other rooms within the Sonic Arts Research facility, everything will be clearly signposted on the day. You must sign up for each panel and/or breakout session individually - this helps us monitor and maintain safe capacities for each event.

All attendees are encouraged to arrive at 12pm for registration and a complimentary networking lunch provided by our friends at the Musicians Union. Full schedule as follows;

12:00

Registration + Complimentary packed lunch sponsored by Musicians Union

13:00 - 13:15

Introduction / Welcome by John D’Arcy from Queens University Belfast

Opening Address by Tom Kiehl from UK Music and Charlotte Dryden from Oh Yeah Music Centre

13:15 - 14:00

Panel #1 - Retention of the creative class

Panel Synopsis: Retention of the creative class is vitally important. Let's hear from the voices who have moved to Belfast to help their creativity flourish and those who have had to move away to further their prospects. What does the city offer them and what more is needed in the future? What's good, bad and could be better in terms of musician friendly policies. 

Panelist: Artist - Chubby Cat

Panelist: Hotbox Entertainment - James Ayo

Panelist: Glisten PR - Genevieve Taylor

Moderator: Dig With It - Stuart Bailie

SIGN UP HERE

14:15 - 15:00

Panel #2 - How can the NI music industry gain political influence?

Panel Synopsis: Are we, the NI Music Community doing a good job at explaining the value of the NI Music Community? This panel will discuss the importance and difficulties of determining and communicating the value of our sector and invite input on what we need to do, what's missing, who's doing a better job and what challenges they also face. 

Panelist: UK Music - CEO Tom Kiehl

Panelist: Arts Council NI - Ciaran Scullion

Panelist: APG Arts - Chair, Sian Mulholland 

Panelist: Belfast City Council - Nikki MacRae 

Moderator: Lecturer, School of Arts, English and Languages, Queen's University - Dr John D’Arcy

SIGN UP HERE

15:15 - 16:15

Panel #3 - What does a supportive policy framework for music look like in Belfast?

Panel Synopsis: What do we local policy makers need to prioritise in order for our music community to thrive. This panel will focus on the most pertinent issues constraining growth in the sector and highlight what action is needed to unlock the full value and potential of our creative economy.

Panelist: Music Venues Trust - Chris Sherrington

Panelist: Lecturer, School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics, Queen's University - Dr Maria-Adriana Deiana

Panelist: New Champion Management - Benjamin Magee

Moderator: Free The Night - Boyd Sleator

SIGN UP HERE

14:00 - 16:00

Breakout Session #1

Revenue Streams for Recording Musicians with Musicians Union

Event Synopsis: Join the discussion on everything you need to know about working as a recording musician and how to earn a living doing so, including specific advice on MU royalties and plenty of opportunities to ask questions and speak to the MU one-to-one.

SIGN UP HERE

14:00 - 15:30

Breakout Session #2

#PPLinSession Belfast

Event Synopsis: This free PPL tutorial will cover a variety of topics (listed below) and leave time for a Q&A session with members of the team. You’ll have the opportunity to speak on a one-to-one basis with one of the PPL Member Services team after the session, as well as network with other attendees.

• The basics of PPL

• PPL's international collections

• Navigating your PPL account

• Managing your data

• Registering repertoire

• Making performer claims

• Understanding your statements

• Dates for your diary

SIGN UP HERE

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14 November

Scratch My Progress Showcase

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15 November

The NI Music Prize