For 2023 Output Belfast are teaming up with AVA Festival to put on Ireland’s biggest music conference and showcase events.
There will be over 30 sessions, workshops, masterclasses, panels, keynotes and state of the nation addresses across all aspects of the music industry – with a focus on creative skills (writing, performing and producing) and business skills (management, streaming, music and image, networking and wider creative industry partnerships).
The conference takes place on Thursday 1st June 2023 between the Mac and the Oh Yeah Music Centre. The opening keynotes come via Chris Cooke (Founder & Managing Director, CMU) on Economics Of Music Streaming – The Story So Far, Linda Coogan Byrne (DEI & Culture Change Expert | Leader of Why Not Her? Movement) on How You Can Be A Culture Changer & Matt Hervey (Partner / Head of Artificial Intelligence Law, GOWLING WLG (UK) LLP) on Will AI change the music industry forever?
There is so much going on across the day but here are ten panels that are very much worth your time.
- Music and AI: The Robots are coming – A deep dive into the current and future use of AI in Music.
- Irish Music Podcast Presents: The Rise and Fall of Balcony TV Based on the #1 podcast, featuring some of the key players.
- Resident Advisor Roundtable: Re-imagining Nightlife – Policy, Community and the creative night-time economy.
- On Music Presents: Kind of Blue – Placing music in BBC1’s 2023 ‘Blue Lights’ TV series, featuring the show’s producers and music supervisor.
- Go Fund Me – Funding opportunities for artists and music businesses – including the main funding opps available in N Ireland and beyond.
- BBC Introducing Presents: Dance Music – How to break into the thriving electronic music sector.
- The Convergence of Music and AR Featuring Nexus Studios – Creator of Gorillaz AR experiences.
- Music Minds Matter presents: ‘I Get Knocked Down’ – Documentary Q and A With Dunstan Bruce (Chumbawumba) and more.
- Ivors Academy Presents: Composing music for Feature Documentaries – With Emmy nominated composer Nainita Desai.
- PRSfM Presents: Stop, Collaborate and Listen – Discussion on working as composers/co-writers and producers with Hannah Peel, Iain Archer and more.
This year the closing keynote is particularly relevant this year given its the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. The inside story of the legendary U2/ASH Referendum Concert of 21 May 1998, moderated by Marie Louise Muir and featuring words by Tim Wheeler. An unmissable deep dive into perhaps the most iconic concert of the last 25 years. After the Good Friday Agreement had been drafted, a referendum was put to the people of Northern Ireland to adopt it and signal a roadmap to a new future. At a critical moment before the vote and in order to achieve a “Yes” outcome – an unprecedented concert took place for 300 young people in The Waterfront, Belfast. This is the story of that event.
You can read about the conference and all the panel events over on the Output 2023 website. As a reminder, the conference and all panel events are free to attend but you must register in advance.
Evening Showcases
As well as the conference and panels during the day, an equally important part of Output is the evening showcase gigs. 2023 is no different as there’ll be 36 bands playing across 9 venues in the Cathedral Quarter that evening. The full line-up of artists is above.
We are delighted to be partnering with our friends at Coaster to host a showcase in the Deer’s Head. Our showcase features Jock, Drew Makes Noise, Tramp & Mob Wife, a stunning line-up so hopefully we’ll see you there.
One to One Speed Networking Events
On Friday 2nd June 2023, Output Belfast and City of Music Belfast are hosting a special speed networking event. The event will take place between 11.30am – 12.30pm at 2 Royal Avenue, Belfast City Centre.
These sessions will give delegates a chance to sit down, 1-2-1, with at least one esteemed music industry professional to ask questions and learn about their specialised area of expertise. Through this experience, delegates will connect and network with seasoned music experts who can offer advice and guidance that will help in pursuing music – whether as an artist, music student or someone hoping to gain more experience/pursue a career, in the music industry.
Spaces are strictly limited to 11 places. If you’re interested in attending, you will need to complete an online application before 11pm on Sunday 28th May 2023. Further information and the application form can be found on the Output website.
