In September 2018, the Waves Vienna Music Conference, organized by Waves Vienna and Austrian Music Export, will take place for the eighth time. Hundreds of national and international music experts, organizers, label owners, bookers, and musicians will meet during the day for discussion and networking at Vienna’s WUK. In the evening, they will have the chance to see performances of around 100 new upcoming bands at the Waves Vienna Music Festival – 30 Bands from Austria among them.
Sync, New Media and Self-Promotion
A wide range of topics is on offer for this year´s Waves Vienna delegates. The conference programme will once again address current issues in the music industry and invite music pros from all over the world to Vienna. Public radio broadcasters from Portugal, Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina will question the importance of radio and its current transformation with Austrian media professionals. Pia Hoffmann (Music Supervisor, DE) and Dan Koplowitz (Friendly Fire Licensing/US) will discuss sync placements and their impact on artist careers with Jürgen Distler (Ink Music, AT). A special workshop held in German helps young local artists and their promotion/management teams to optimize their social media personas and DIY-strategies.
“I’ve been aware of the rising level of talent in the Austrian music scene for a while now, but until this year I have never had the opportunity to get to experience it firsthand. I’m excited to meet with members of the Austrian music industry and see some of the best up-and-coming live music the country has to offer, all in the context of an intimate and well-organized festival.” Dan Koplowitz (Friendly Fire Licensing, USA)
Receptions & Meeting Sessions
Several meeting sessions will bring the local scene closer to international festivals, journalists and the delegations from this year´s partner countries, Portugal and Slovakia. Participants not only include some of the most important festivals on the European circuit, but also festival members from the INES programme and neighbouring events Pohoda (SK) and Sharpe (SK), Sziget (HU), c/o Pop (GER), Ment Ljubljana (SLO) and Pop-Kultur Berlin (DE).
„At Waves Vienna I’m really looking forward to discovering some awesome bands I’ve never heard before, meeting up with old friends and hopefully getting to know new ones.” Akos Remetei (Sziget Festival, HU)
Highlights also include receptions by Swiss Music Export, SoundCzech, HOTS – Hungarian Oncoming Tunes and of course by our focus countries Portugal (Why Portugal) and Slovakia (LALA Slovak Music Export).
Emerging artists to the fore
For the second time this year, the music export award “XA” will be presented as a part of Waves Vienna. A panel with last year´s winner, the Austrian band Cari Cari, will discuss the impact of the award and the export strategies linked to it. The well-loved listening sessions will again offer a chance for young artists to present their music to an international panel of experts. Speakers this year include delegates from PIAS, Deezer, Ugop Records, Community Promotion, Selective Artists and more.
“At Waves Vienna I expect to discover some new acts (I’m always seeking for some new bands) and meet new people for abroad.” Sean Bouchard (Talitres, FR)
The yearly Waves Vienna Hackday invites all music-tech lovers to get together to create new ideas around music software and hardware – and to turn them into reality within one day during Waves Vienna. And last but not least, members of the international music business are invited to the Austrian Heartbeats Delegates Tour, a musical journey through Vienna including pop-up shows from up-and-coming bands. Stops include a meet & greet with the French delegation, a studio session at Radio FM4, the “Lisboa Lounge” by the 2018 Focus Country Portugal, a wine tasting and more! (Delegates only * Registration required)
Full conference schedule: https://www.wavesvienna.com/
Waves Vienna Conference Timetable
Thursday, 27th – Saturday, 29th September 2018
WUK, Werkstätten- und Kulturhaus (Währinger Straße 59, 1090 Vienna)
THURSDAY, 27th
13:45-14:45 MMFA (Music Management Forum Austria) Meeting * Closed Meeting
15:15-16:45 Book Presentation “Music Business Research. The Foundations of a New Scientific Discipline”, Café Weimar
The book “Music Business Research. The Foundations of a New Scientific Discipline” has recently been published by Peter Tschmuck, Beate Flath & Martin Lücke with Springer VS. In 8 chapters, authors from different scientific disciplines offer their views on the methodological foundations and methods of the new inter-discipline music business research.
Speakers: Peter Tschmuck (University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (mdw), Beate Flath (Paderborn University), Martin Lücke (Macromedia University Berlin)
Discussion: After a short book presentation Cornelius Ballin (General Manager of Universal Music Austria), Beate Flath (Junior professor for event management at Paderborn University), Sabine Reiter (CEO of Music Information Centre Austria – MICA) and Hannes Tschürtz (CEO of ink Music) discuss under the guidance of Professor Martin Lücke how music business theory and practice can mutually benefit from a fruitful exchange. Speakers: Sabine Reiter (mica – music austria), Beate Flath (Paderborn University), Cornelius Ballin (Universal Music Austria), Hannes Tschürtz (ink Music). Host: Martin Lücke (Macromedia University Berlin)
17:00-18:00 Official Opening of Waves Vienna, WUK Conference Room 1
The official opening of the 2018 edition of Waves Vienna. We’re happy to serve you food and drinks from our two focus countries, Portugal and Slovakia.
FRIDAY, 28th
10.00-10.45 WUNDERBAR – German Music Export Breakfast Reception, WUK Project Room
Let’s start the second day of Waves Vienna 2018 together! Initiative Musik warmly welcomes you to meet the German artists at Waves Vienna for a musical breakfast. In an exclusive speed meeting delegates get the chance to meet some of the up-and-coming bands from Germany – watch the festival program for the German Acts. Initiative Musik is the German funding and export office for pop, rock and jazz music.
(closed meeting for selected applicants only)
10:00-11:00 Feedback Listening Session 1, WUK Studio
International professionals give constructive feedback on fresh acts with international potential.
Speakers: Mattias Albinsson (Headstomp, SE), Jozsef Halmen (Stairway Booking, RU), Alexei Kutuzov (Minsk Festival, BY), Edo Plovanic (Muzika.hr, HR), Andreas Pese Puscher (Selective Artists, DE). Host: Rainer Praschak (mica – music Austria, AT). Apply here!
10:15-11:00 Blogging about Music, WUK Conference Room 1
How important are music blogs the career of young musicians? How do you reach out to music blogs and ensure to get your music reviewed?
Speakers: Michel Attia (Radio FM4, AT), Sean Bouchard (Talitres, FR), Jan Clausen (Factory 92, DE), Mariusz Herma (Beehype, PL). Host: Annemarie Reisinger-Treiber (Artist Manager, AT)
10:30-11:30 The Music Scene in Slovakia, WUK Conference Room 2
Find out more about the rich and lively Slovak music scene. Networking opportunity with key players of the Slovak music market, facts & figures, country presentation.
Speakers: Michal Bereznak & Alexander Čerevka (LALA Slovak Music Export / SHARPE festival, SK), Dalibor Kocian (Stroon, SK), Monika Satkova (Pohoda Festival, SK), Robert Špoták (Slovak Arts Council, SK). Host: Peter Dolník (Radio FM, SK)
11:00-12:00 Speed Meeting: Meet the Festivals! presented by Go International, Nuu Gallery
Closed meeting for selected applicants only. Participants: c/o pop Festival (DE), Live at Heart (SE), Liverpool Sound City (UK), MENT Ljubljana (SI), Monkey Week (ES), Pop-Kultur Berlin (DE), Roskilde (DK), Sziget Festival (HU), The Great Escape Festival (UK). Host: Reanne Leunig (WKO, AT)
11:30-12:30 The Music Scene in Portugal, WUK Conference Room 1
Find out more about the rich and lively Portuguese music scene. Networking opportunity with key players of the Portuguese music market, facts & figures, country presentation.
Speakers: Rui Miguel Abreu (Rimas e Batidas, PT), Miguel Carretas (Audiogest, PT), Antonio Cunha (Uguru, PT), Pedro Nascimento (AMAEI / Turbina, PT), Pedro Oliveira (Fundação GDA, PT), Luis Soares (Rock in Rio, PT). Host: Nuno Saraiva (WHY Portugal, PT)
11:45-12:45 Listening Session Journalists, WUK Studio
International journalists talk us through their highlights of this year’s Waves Vienna concert program. Speakers: Daniel Balaž (Radio FM, SK), Luis Oliveira (Antena 3, PT), Susi Ondrusova (Radio FM4, AT), Inga Ramoskaite (LRT Opus, LT). Host: Rainer Praschak (mica – music Austria, AT)
12:00-12:45 Sync Best Cases, WUK Conference Room 2
International experts present and analyze best practices in music synchronization. How do artists make the most of sync deals? Can sync placements be used strategically to create a sustainable music career? Speakers: Pia Hoffmann (Music Supervisor, DE), Dan Koplowitz (Friendly Fire Licensing/US). Host: Jürgen Distler (Ink Music, AT)
12:45-13:30 Good Slot: Papyllon & more (hosted by LALA Slovak Music Export), WUK Project Room
Come check out the Slovak talent! Papyllon will showcase their unconventional acoustic take on rock, pop, metal and jazz. Along with it, people from LALA Slovak Music Export will prepare secret Slovak recipes for lunch (not only Tatratea, don’t worry). Some free tickets for SHARPE festival 2019 might be handed out too.
13:30-14:15 XA Outcome – Cari Cari, WUK Conference Room 2
In 2017, the XA -Export Award was presented for the first time as part of the Waves Vienna Festival. Out of a field of nominees, Cari Cari was picked as the winner by an international award jury. In addition to a monetary reward, the winner is supported by the award partners Austrian Music Export, Radio FM4 and Waves Vienna. Together with Cari Cari and their booking agency ink Music, we examine the long-term effects of the award, joint international strategies of the award partners and how the band´s career has developed in the last year.
Speakers: Thomas Heher (Waves Vienna, AT), Franz Hergovich (Austrian Music Export, AT), Alex Köck (Cari Cari, AT), Julia Scherz (Ink Music, AT), Stephanie Widmer (Cari Cari, AT). Host: Christoph Kobza (AT)
13:30-14:30 Speed Meeting: Meet the Portuguese!, Nuu Gallery
Closed meeting for selected applicants only. Participants: Antonio Cunha (Uguru, PT), Hugo Ferreira (Omnichord, PT), Pedro Nascimento (AMAEI / Turbina, PT), Bruno Rocha (PT), João Santos (Lusitanian Publishing, PT), Sérgio Silva (Sincronia dos Sons, PT), Luis Soares (Rock in Rio, PT), Pedro Valente (Azáfama, PT)
13:45-14:45 Feedback Listening Session 2, WUK Studio
International professionals give constructive feedback on fresh acts with international potential. Speakers: Ineke Daans (PIAS, BE), Koen ter Heegde (Yogufuturism, NL), Oswald Mavoungoud (Ugop Records, FR), Richard Wernicke (Deezer, DE), Dirk Wilberg (Community Promotion, DE). Host: Rainer Praschak (mica – music Austria, AT). Apply here!
14:00-15:00 The Radio Panel, WUK Conference Room 1
Radio, and especially European public service media, can play an important role in the development, the discovery and the internationalization of artists. But what exactly is the national and international impact of radio stations on the career of upcoming artists? How important is the development of homegrown acts for the profile of radio stations? And how did the boom of streaming services affect the significance of radio stations – and how do they react?
Speakers: Rui Miguel Abreu (Antena 3, PT), Daniel Balaž (Radio FM, SK), Norbert Bozym (Radio Czworka, PL), Samir Culic (BHR1, BIH), Inga Ramoskaite (LRT Opus, LT), Jernej Sobocan (Val 202, SLO). Host: Susi Ondrusova (Radio FM4, AT)
14:15-15:15 HOTS in Vienna, WUK Project Room
Join us on our annual reception in Vienna, where we’ll celebrate the new generation of talented Hungarian songwriters along with local professionals from various sectors, and, for sure, the acts who’ll play during Waves! Antonia Vai, Mörk and Fran Palermo are ready to earn your attention while we serve some bits and drinks in the meantime.
14:30-15:30 Speed Meeting: Meet the Journalists, Café Weimar
Closed meeting for selected applicants only.
Participants: Niloufar Behradi-Ohnacker (Blogrebellen, DE), Nina Hochrainer (FM4), Luis Olivera (Antena 3/PT), Peter Storgaard (Regnsky.dk, DK), Peter Dolník (Radio FM, SK), more tba
14.45-15.30 Pop Up Session: Nuno Saraiva, WHY Portugal, WUK Conference Room 2
International music professionals tell personal stories about their career and respond openly to your questions in an intimate Q&A session.
15:30-16:30 A Music Career and Family – Are They Compatible?, WUK Conference Room 1
Young artists often feel an increasing need for self-marketing and entrepreneurship besides touring and recording, while the live music industry is notorious for high-pressure jobs with irregular hours. How is a music career compatible with family life? What kind of social responsibility does the industry bear itself? Are there existing projects or initiatives dealing with these issues?
Speakers: Ineke Daans (PIAS, BE), Stefan Penz (Govinda Artist Services, AT), Teresa Rotschopf (Artist, AT), Marije van Veen (Hot Topic, NL). Host: Jeroen Siebens (European Radioplugging, AT)
15:45-16:15 Who is INES?, WUK Conference Room 2
Learn more about the International Network of Showcase Festivals and who’s in the network.
15:45-16:45 SoundCzech Time Reception, Nuu Gallery
One of the very first projects of SoundCzech (Czech Music Office) was co-organizing last year’s successful Czech focus during Waves Vienna. Now, a year later we are eager to continue that friendly, and effective collaboration by hoping it will also start a yearly tradition where you dear delegates can get connected to Czech professionals, receive informations about the most actual artists and can enjoy a beer together.
16:30-17:30 Reception: Swiss Business Mixer, WUK Project Room
Swiss wine, finger food and music – Swiss Music Export in cooperation with FONDATION SUISA and the Swiss Embassy in Vienna is once again presenting a “Swiss Business Mixer” for music fans and professionals. Our live act this time around will be the fearsomely intense guitar/drums/pedals Blind Butcher. Please register by Wednesday 26 September.
17:15-18:15 Reception: Slovenian MoMENT, Nuu Gallery
Waves will once again hold a Slovenian reception! The best party in Vienna will feature good food, even better drinks and the best company. Of course there’ll be plenty of music as well. This year, Waves is hosting three Slovenian acts – Bowrain, Futurski and Haiku Garden. The reception will offer the chance to meet Slovenian music professionals as well as pleasant mingling.
Presented by SKICA, SIGIC and MENT Ljubljana. Supported by Bevog.
18:45-19:15 Southern Germany Reception Networking Brunch, WUK Beisl
Long story short: 6.45pm is just the right time for THE networking brunch of the Waves Festival with Weissbier and Southern German finger food at WUK Beissl. The Southern Germany reception is hosted by the Federation for Pop-Culture (Verband für Popkultur in Bayern e.V.) and Popbüro Region Stuttgart. Verband für Popkultur in Bayern e.V. represents more than 100 bavarian venues, organizers and festivals. Like its Bavarian counterpart, Popbüro Region Stuttgart is one of the three leading public institutions for pop culture and popular music in Germany. No matter if Beer-to-Beer or Business-to-Business – you know what’s in for you! Following the reception, we proudly present the Bavarian Newcomer [LEAK].
SATURDAY, 29th
10.45-18.00 Austrian Heartbeats Delegates Tour
On Saturday, September 29, delegates will be treated to the Austrian Heartbeats Delegates Tour, a musical journey through Vienna including pop-up shows by up-and-coming bands. That means lots of music, food, drinks and new friends. Stops include a meet & greet with the French delegation, a studio session at Radio FM4, the “Lisboa Lounge” by the 2018 Focus Country Portugal, a wine tasting and more! (Registration required)
14:00-15:45 What’s your Story? (Workshop in German), WUK Project Room
Eine eigene Geschichte konsequent zu erzählen ist in Zeiten von Social Media und DIY-Promotion das Um und Auf für die Medienarbeit von jungen Künstlern. Gerichtet ist der Workshop an weibliche (Nachwuchs-)Musiker*innen und deren Promoter*innen und Manager*innen. Anhand von Beispielen wird gezeigt, wie eine individuelle Story aufgebaut und kommuniziert und persönliche Zurückhaltung oder Angst vor einem Shitstorm abgelegt werden kann. In einem praktischen Teil gibt es Input zu Interviewführung, Kameratraining, Feedback zur Körpersprache und vieles mehr.
Host: Niloufar Behradi-Ohnacker, Brand Managerin & Autorin bei Blogrebellen. (Registration required)
16:00-17:00 Creative Europe Presentation, WUK Project Room
Creative Europe is the European Commission’s framework programme providing financial support for the European cultural and creative sectors. Cooperation projects encourage organisations across Europe to work collaboratively with the aim of developing capacity and reaching new audiences.
Presentation with drinks and food. Host: Elisabeth Pacher (Creative Europe Desk Austria/Austrian Federal Chancellery Division II/AT)
18:00-19:15 Music Hackday Presentation, WUK Project Room
Come by and see what happened at Waves Music Hackday 2018! Read more: www.wavesvienna.com
23:15-23:35 XA – Export Award Ceremony
Come by and see who won the 2nd XA Music Export Award! The winner will be awarded 3,500 Euros in cash (donated by SKE Fonds/Austro Mechana) and will be supported by Radio FM4, Austrian Music Export and Waves Vienna for one year. The awarded will be handed over by last year´s winners Cari Cari. The 9 nominees of 2018 are: Dives, Dramas, Kids N Cats, Like Elephants, Mickey, Please Madame, Pressyes, Thirsty Eyes and Viech.