Conference #1

presented by Sabam for Culture

In a sector where hiring is often based on personal connections, where professional training can feel like a luxury and where attending countless music events after hours is part of the job description, we’re faced with unique challenges. On the surface, everyone appears to be friendly, yet behind the scenes, it’s a fiercely competitive industry. The discussion will focus on how we can foster genuine kindness, empathy, and inclusion in a competitive environment. How do we avoid creating a company of clones built on friends policy? And more importantly, how can we promote a culture that values diversity, inclusion, and real human connection in the workplace?

With Sacha Estelles (Five Oh), Cecilia Soojeong YI (DMZ Peace Train Music Festival), Ilse Schoonackers (AB), Leander Coorevits (Trix)
Moderation by Souria Cheurfi

Conference #2

Music has always been a mirror to the social, political, and cultural struggles of our time. But does a period of crisis automatically give rise to more intense or aggressive sounds? Or is it possible that what was once seen as ‘rebellious’ music has now become mainstream? In this panel, we will examine how the rhythms and tempos of contemporary music—whether fast or slow, intense or subtle—might reflect the diverse realities of societies in flux. We will also hear from influential voices in the electronic music scene, as well as artists from different parts of the world, including Africa, where communities have lived through crises yet have found their own ways to express resilience and creativity, often outside of genres like techno.

With Mathilde Fernandez (artist), Stanislawa (artist) and Jinan Vyent (Oroko Radio)
Moderation by Zouzibabe