Comedian Tanmay Bhat at the 6th MixRadio Music Connects

Sixth MixRadio Music Connects seeks a digital route to revive industry

by  EVENTFAQS Bureau Business Events | November 7, 2014 | News

Music Matters radioandmusic.com Taj Lands End

Conversations centered entirely around music and its new emerging digital platforms at the sixth edition of MixRadio Music Connects, an initiative by Music Matters and radioandmusic.com. The sixth edition of the conference, themed, ‘Shaping the Digital Future’, was held on November 4-5 at Taj Lands End, Mumbai and attended by more than 600 music ecosystem professionals - including those from labels, streaming,  brands, TV broadcasting, downloading platforms, telcos, talent, talent management and technology providers.

There were nine panels with around 37 panelists who presented their knowledge and expertise in music. Day one of the conference saw sessions like ‘Streaming: Gathering momentum’, ‘The New Emerging Independent Artist Platforms’, ’Building The Audiences’,  ‘The East West Connect’ and ‘Tech Meets Live’.

Panels like ‘Crystal Ball-Gazing: The Biggies Give Their View’, ‘The Brand Story’, ‘The Indian MCNSs’ and ‘Of All Things Finance’ were conducted on day two.

The variation on the panels and interviews of biggies was the major attraction of the confab. The two-day music conference kicked off with Sony Music’s India and Middle East President Sridhar Subramanium talking about the year and how the music industry can evolve itself to once again become profitable.  

MixRadio’s VP Jyrki Rosenberg used the platform to reveal to attendees a mobile application ‘Play Me’ which is its new music recommendation engine. The service personalises playlists and curates a mix aimed only at what users like based on current playlists, artistes that they listen to and those that their friends listen to.

MixRadio Music Connects unveiled stories of streaming services like Guvera and Rdio, which are getting ready to be launched in the Indian market.

South Asia UMG and EMI music MD Devraj Sanyal shook the silent panelists of ‘The New Emerging Independent Artist Platforms,” with some strong questions.  There were exchanges of serious words among the panelists regarding the efforts of emerging platforms to ensure independent music is not only promoted but also competes with mainstream Bollywood music, or at least for creating an ecosystem that suits its growth.

Some of the biggest names in the international music industry- Chrysalis Records’ Terry Ellis, Live Nation Entertainment’s Alan Ridgeway and Sire Records’ co-founder and chairman Seymour Stein, spoke from their hearts when they through different keynotes and interviews said that music and the musician performing is at the heart of music ecosystem; it’s about writing songs, making music. If that is in order, then everything else will follow.

The last session ‘Of All Things Finance’ was an eye-opener to many start-ups and musicians, to gain an understanding about investors and their thought-process behind investing money.

Said Music Matters co-founder & CEO Jasper Donat, “There is great optimism in the music business in India today. Several music streaming services are expected to launch very soon. Sustainable business models will emerge over the next 12 months. We are quite confident of connecting with a more robust Indian music business when we return next year with our seventh edition. 2015 looks set to be the year of music.”

Indiantelevision.com Group founder, CEO and editor-in-chief Anil Wanvari added, “The message was very clear from the MixRadio 6th Music Connects: collaboration is the need of the hour for a more robust music ecosystem to be developed. The shift is happening towards the individual talent, the musician, and streaming services.  But the fact is that artistes, multichannel networks, digital video platforms, streaming services, live companies and labels need to set aside their individual short term aspirations to build a healthy music economy in the medium term. Music is at the cusp of a wave which will only shower monetisation opportunities for all those who keep at it.”

The Indian rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh was in this year’s agenda of The Mobilium Advisory Group chairman Ralph Simon, as he sang the song ‘Sunny Sunny’ and entertained the audiences with other interesting facts of the composer-singer. He brought laughter at regular intervals with all his witty comments.

Indian Film-maker Imtiaz Ali presented a different side of Bollywood music as he spoke about the music from the film ‘Rockstar’.

The music conference also held a music session by Youtube sensations Maati Baani and a musical presentation by Sounds Australia export music producer Glenn Dickie.