Independent retail has forever been a vital part of the music ecosystem. This session takes a closer look at the evolving landscape of indie music retail—what’s working, what’s shifting, and what’s next. Join key voices from across the retail spectrum as we explore how physical formats are faring, how consumer behavior is changing, and how indie labels and artists can best position themselves in a crowded market. We’ll also dig into how catalog strategy, inventory tech, and community engagement play a role in sustaining and growing independent retail. Whether you’re a label, retailer, distributor, or service provider, this session offers timely insights into the future of indie retail.

In an era of increased transparency between artists and their fans, fostering a direct connection is more important than ever. Examining the tools, tactics, and mindsets driving today’s most engaged fanbases – what does it really mean to invest in your core audience and have them invest in you? We’ll explore how thoughtful use of community & streaming platforms, exclusive experiences, and fan-first strategies can lead to deeper engagement and the cultivation of superfans.

This panel would explore the role influencers play in discovering and promoting new music, focusing on how platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are impacting the rise of independent artists. Panelists would discuss how organic content can go viral, what influencers look for when choosing music to promote, and how labels and artists can effectively collaborate with influencers to drive engagement and streams.

At Spotify, we’ve been developing tools to help indie artists and their teams build hype for new music and connect with new fans well into the release cycle — right on the platform where music is streamed. Join the Spotify for Artists team to learn how to best leverage our new release products — like Countdown Pages, Clips, Marquee, Showcase, and more — and hear directly from artist teams who have driven meaningful results using these strategies.

For independent labels, chart success requires precision, strategy, and execution. From accurate SKU data ensuring every sale counts, to understanding the evolving metrics behind rankings, to leveraging creative marketing hacks for maximum impact, this panel explores the art and science of charting. Industry experts will break down how indie artists can optimize their metadata, track sales effectively, and use data-driven marketing strategies to boost visibility and climb the charts.

Mentorship is impactful and important throughout one's career. An excellent mentor can pass on knowledge about their craft, guide you while you make the next steps in your role, lend advice, and more…all while gaining perspective and insight from their mentee. Please join Tony Alexander (MIME, A2IM Board Treasurer) and Warren Konigsmark (Mexican Summer) in a discussion about their experience in A2IM’s mentorship program and how it continues to benefit them to this day. A2IM’s Senior Manager. Membership Emmaline McCourt will also share information on the program and how to get involved.

How do independent labels turn cultural credibility into commercial success? This panel explores the triumphs and tensions of developing superstar artists outside the major label system. From team structure and artist-first philosophies to creative risk-taking and strategic distribution, hear from industry leaders who are redefining success on their own terms. Gain insight into the mindset, infrastructure, and values that power long-term artist development in the indie world—where authenticity, agility, and culture lead the way.

In today’s evolving music industry, the value of a label’s back catalog has never been greater. This panel will explore innovative strategies for maximizing revenue and boosting visibility by leveraging your existing catalog. From playlist optimization, micro-licensing and sync opportunities to fan engagement and data-driven marketing, learn how to breathe new life into your old tracks while laying a solid foundation for artists' future releases. Discover how forward-thinking artists are turning their musical legacy into a springboard for success.

Royalty-free samples, leased beats, and generative AI offer independent creators quick and affordable ways to produce music—but these shortcuts can come with hidden legal and financial risks, especially when it comes to sync licensing. This panel will explore the potential pitfalls of using modern production tools, from ownership disputes to legal barriers that could block valuable sync opportunities. Industry experts will share best practices to protect your work, avoid costly mistakes, and ensure you’re sync-ready without compromising creativity.

With millions of artists across the globe, it may seem impossible for

developing artists to break through the noise and establish their

fanbase. However, with the power of Chartmetric, you can leverage your

artist’s data to find your core audience and develop strategies to

maximize your success.

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping every corner of the music ecosystem—from songwriting and sound design to marketing, distribution, and operations. This panel will dive into emerging platforms, practical use cases, and the implications for rights management and catalog strategy. You'll also hear the latest on advocacy efforts around AI policies that could directly impact how indie music is created, monetized, and protected. Whether you're experimenting with new tools or just trying to make sense of the noise, this session will provide actionable insights and a space to raise questions, voice concerns, and connect with peers navigating the same landscape.

As new music tech platforms continue to emerge, it’s crucial for labels to understand how these platforms operate and what to consider before entering partnerships. This panel will dive into the mechanics of the latest platforms in sync, promotion, and monetization, offering a deep dive into their technical infrastructure. Experts will share critical insights on what labels should prioritize—such as API integration, platform architecture, and interoperability with existing systems—before committing to any partnership. Learn how to navigate these evolving technologies and make informed decisions that will maximize the benefits of new platforms for your label’s success.

The music industry can be demanding and fast-paced, often leaving industry professionals vulnerable to burnout, mental health challenges, and safety concerns. This panel will explore the essential resources available for maintaining wellness and ensuring safety in the music business. Experts will discuss mental health support, physical safety protocols on tours, resources for managing stress, and industry initiatives aimed at creating healthier work environments. Learn how to leverage these tools to promote well-being, prevent burnout, and foster a culture of safety and support within the music industry.

The Future of Indie Music Tech: Join Water & Music's Cherie Hu for a data-driven exploration of the evolving independent music technology landscape. Drawing from five years of comprehensive investment tracking and market analysis, this keynote will examine how consolidation by major labels and private equity firms is reshaping the indie tech ecosystem, identify sustainable business models for independent music tools, and highlight emerging opportunities for indie companies to augment their revenue streams and maintain competitive advantages in partnership with tech companies.

This panel explores the growing influence of state and city music offices in shaping vibrant and sustainable music ecosystems. Leaders from state and city music offices will discuss the critical role they play in supporting local music scenes, fostering artist development, driving policy change, and advocating for economic growth through music. Attendees will gain insight into how these offices can strengthen partnerships with local government, institutions, and the private sector, and how they can create initiatives that benefit artists, industry professionals, and the broader community.

Social media platforms offers a significant opportunity to generate new revenue streams, but understanding the business side is key to capitalizing on them. This panel will examine the strategies labels can use to monetize social media, including direct sales, platform-specific revenue models, and data-driven brand partnerships. Experts will explore how to use data to create compelling sponsorship pitches, leveraging fan insights to attract high-value brand partnerships. Learn how to integrate social media and strategic collaborations into your label's overall business strategy and unlock new profit channels in the digital landscape. 

The music publishing landscape is undergoing a radical transformation, driven by advancements in technology and changing industry practices. This panel will explore how cutting-edge tools—such as automated rights management systems, and AI-driven catalog optimization—are simplifying publishing administration and empowering artists and songwriters to retain ownership of their work.

Music publishers face both opportunities and challenges when navigating international markets. This panel dives into the intricacies of international publishing deals, partnerships, and collection societies, shedding light on the hurdles of global expansion and how to overcome them. Hear success stories from independent publishers who have successfully expanded their global footprint, and gain valuable insights into maximizing revenue in an increasingly borderless music industry.

What happens when AI isn’t just making music—but organizing fraud? The next wave of royalty theft is already here.

Fraudsters are no longer just using bots to boost streams—they’re building sophisticated ecosystems of AI-generated tracks, manipulated playlists, and coordinated user activity to siphon billions in royalties from legitimate artists and rights holders. This panel will explore how these networks exploit vulnerabilities in the streaming economy, and examine the evolving role of AI on both sides of the fraud equation—both as a threat and as a tool for detection. Drawing from real-world investigations and cutting-edge fraud prevention techniques, we’ll discuss how the industry can stay ahead of the curve and protect its future.

As traditional music media declines and indie publications like Post-Trash and The Alternative fight to fill the void, the landscape of music journalism is undergoing a major transformation. With the rise of Substack offering direct-to-reader models and the fall of AltWeeklys signaling the loss of key cultural platforms, where does indie music writing go from here? This panel explores how independent labels can work with emerging music media, leverage new journalistic platforms, and adapt their promotional strategies to ensure their artists get the visibility they deserve in the modern era of music writing.

Description: Explore how indie artists can tap into emerging markets beyond the traditional big markets like the US and UK. This panel will bring together industry experts from Latin America, Asia, Europe and Africa to share insights, strategies, and case studies on how to market international artists effectively in these regions. 

In today’s streaming landscape, video assets are more than a requirement - they’re a powerful connection between artists and fans. From Spotify Canvas videos, Apple Music Album Motion, and other animated album art formats to music videos and lyric videos, captivating visuals enable indie artists, record labels, and distributors to engage their audience and elevate their presence. In this panel, experts will share tips on how artists can use their own content alongside new video-production tools to produce fresh, standout visuals for every release, even without video editing experience.

In this workshop beatBread will explain the range of funding options available to independent labels as well as demonstrating their Deal Comparison Tool that has been making headlines for helping labels make fully informed funding choices. Find out how to leverage the best deal for your label while avoiding pitfalls along the way

Celebrating A2IM’s first 20 years, and looking toward the decades to come. Rob Weitzner moderates this panel with Richard Burgess, Rich Bengloff and Don Rose, springboarding from the foundation they created, and anticipating tomorrow’s music ecosystem challenges and opportunities. Join this panel to get a sneak peek of behind the scenes of how the biggest independent music trade organization has sustained for the last 20 years and what does the future hold for A2IM.

Email is still one of the most powerful—yet underutilized—tools in an artist or label’s marketing arsenal. This panel explores how to turn your email subscribers into paying fans and long-term supporters. From smart segmentation and automation to effective sales funnels for merch, music, and experiences, panelists will share proven strategies for driving real revenue. Whether you’re a DIY artist, indie label, or marketing pro, you’ll leave with actionable tips to grow engagement and monetize your list without burning it out.

In an industry where data drives decisions, understanding analytics is key to unlocking growth and revenue. This panel brings together top data experts who will break down how to leverage streaming metrics, fan engagement insights, market trends, and predictive analytics to inform smarter strategies. Learn how to harness streaming metrics, audience insights, and market trends to stay ahead in a competitive landscape.

Join members of Bandcamp's Outreach and Editorial teams for an insight into the award-winning platform. We'll be talking about new and upcoming features, sharing practical insights to maximise your presence on the site as well as giving the lowdown on our pitching process for the Bandcamp Daily.

Every dollar is now being counted to ensure artists can be their own, artists and their teams juggle countless revenue streams—but with so much flowing in, where are the leaks? Hidden costs can quietly drain resources, often from unexpected places, leaving hard-earned money on the table. This panel dives deep into the less obvious financial pitfalls across touring, publishing, streaming, label deals, and more. Discover the overlooked expenses that might be hiding in your balance sheets and learn how to plug the gaps.

In a world where major labels and streaming platforms dominate, what does being "independent" truly mean, and why is it still relevant? This panel examines the changing definition of "indie," from the unique challenges and opportunities indie artists and labels face to the cultural and economic impact of the independent music sector. Explore how "indie" remains a powerful and essential distinction, fueling innovation and representing a diverse array of voices in the music industry.

At Apple Music, we believe the moment a fan discovers a new independent artist they wouldn’t find anywhere else is a powerful one. In this keynote, we’ll highlight how Apple Music is putting a spotlight on independent artists. We’ll look at how personalization has connected more artists to more fans than ever before, and how we’ve maintained a commitment to storytelling in order to make that connection deeper. We’ll detail our efforts to combat stream manipulation in order to put all artists on equal footing. And we’ll walk through our suite of tools in Apple Music for Artists that empower independent artists to more effectively manage their music careers, so they have more time to do what they do best: Create.

Millions in music royalties go unclaimed due to missing metadata, inaccurate content recognition, and gaps in platform attribution. From black box royalties to TikTok Sound ID mismatches and overlooked brand-generated UGC, independent rightsholders are missing out on significant revenue. This panel brings together data experts, technology leaders, and rightsholders to explore how enriched databases, advanced content identification, and tracking can close these gaps. Learn how to recover unclaimed royalties, improve attribution accuracy, and ensure your music gets the revenue it deserves across all platforms.

In a world flooded with content, authentic storytelling is the key to building lasting connections with fans. This panel dives into how artists and labels can harness the power of narrative to create meaningful marketing campaigns that resonate beyond the music. From developing compelling artist stories to weaving narratives through social media, video, and press, marketing experts share strategies for turning stories into engagement, loyalty, and ultimately, sales.

At the dynamic crossroads of video games and music, indie game developers and music rights holders—labels and publishers alike—are exploring new ways to collaborate. This panel brings together an indie game developer and a representative from the music industry to unpack the challenges, misconceptions, and opportunities when it comes to integrating music into games. Beyond traditional sync and licensing models, the conversation will explore publishing considerations, revenue-sharing possibilities, in-game music creation, and how music can enhance player experience and community engagement. Join us for an inside look at how both industries can build more creative, sustainable, and mutually beneficial partnerships in this evolving ecosystem.

Contracts are the foundation of the music industry, but how do negotiations unfold in real time? In this interactive panel, top industry lawyers will engage in a live contract negotiation, offering an inside look at the strategies, challenges, and key considerations that shape music deals.

With the costs of touring reaching all-time highs, many artists are finding traditional tours increasingly uneconomical. Rising expenses, from travel to production, coupled with limited marketing support, can make sustaining tours a financial challenge. This panel brings together artists, label reps, and touring experts to discuss innovative ways to make touring more economically viable. We’ll explore the role of merch as a booming revenue stream, creative strategies for boosting fan engagement, and how labels can better support tours through targeted marketing initiatives.

Developed by BabyJam, NORDER is your personalized AI Manager/Assistant, designed to handle non-musical tasks such as email responses, scheduling, music data tracking and automated music marketing. This AI assistant allows artists to focus on their creative work while ensuring their administrative tasks.

To help our AI Manager better serve you, we will be conducting a survey to understand your needs. We encourage everyone to participate by following the link: https://forms.gle/NiSwjTKVcTqAypcSA

As demand for vinyl continues to grow, grossing up to $1bn for US labels in 2024, some key independent players are reordering traditional release structures to prioritize sustainable revenue over chart positions. This panel will explore how the industry could come full circle by taking a ‘physical-first’ route, releasing music on vinyl ahead of streaming, to generate scarcity and exclusivity amongst superfans, whilst increasing overall revenues, optimising cash flow and lowering risk. It will also discuss how promotional tactics outside of top-down digital marketing and DSP playlisting, like word of mouth buzz from tastemakers and fans, can organically drum up interest ahead of digital release.

This panel will gather industry leaders who have not only broken glass ceilings but have also been advocates for inclusive change across all levels of the music business. From fostering safe spaces in the workplace to reshaping the narrative in music itself, this session is designed to discuss issues women face in 2025, and inspire tangible change in this new era. Attendees will gain invaluable insight into how companies and industry professionals can actively support female identifying voices, and how this inclusivity translates into stronger, more dynamic organizations.

Join Dr. Richard James Burgess, President and CEO of A2IM, and the A2IM Team as they wrap up Indie Week 2025 with the Annual General Meeting. Meet the newly elected board of directors, and featured speakers: Steven Hill (Warp, A2IM Board), Helen Smith (IMPALA), Noemi Planas (WIN), Jeremy Sirota (Merlin), and Josh Hurvitz (NVG, LLC).

As AI reshapes the music industry, independent labels face new challenges and opportunities in dealmaking. This panel explores the critical issues surrounding AI-driven technologies, including copyright, licensing, and revenue attribution, to ensure independent music is properly valued and protected. Experts will discuss how to navigate contracts, safeguard intellectual property, and leverage AI tools to benefit your business while maintaining control and fairness.

What if streaming fraud was just one piece of a much larger puzzle? This panel focuses on how improving daata transparency across DSPs, distributors, and rights holders can reduce fraud, optimize royalty payouts, and build trust in the industry. Featuring Beatdapp’s cross-platform insights, panelists will discuss how transparent data sharing helps solve multiple challenges—tracking royalties, enforcing compliance, and unlocking new revenue opportunities.