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Writer's pictureMusic Tectonics

Music Tectonics Does It Again: Swiveling and Going Online For Annual Conference

October 27-28, 2020 Online Conference


The Music Tectonics Conference is used to swiveling, and this pandemic is no different. Organizers announce the move of their second annual conference to a one-of-a-kind online event while keeping their original dates of October 27-28, 2020 and their futurist-yet-practical theme of seismic shifts in music tech. Music Tectonics will use technology that allows for highly interactive small-group and one-on-one networking, dynamic exhibitor/demo rooms, and top level presentations from industry leaders and thinkers. Registration is open now. (General Admission $59, VIP tickets $300)


For two days in October, Music Tectonics will unite innovators across the music and tech landscapes. The slate of speakers indicates a focus on high-level analysis and roll-your-sleeves-up innovation. Confirmed speakers include:

  • Scott Cohen - Chief Innovation Officer, Warner Music Group (keynote)

  • Cherie Hu - Water & Music (fireside chat)

  • Jon Vlassopulos, Global Head of Music, Roblox

  • David Dufresne, Partner, Panache Ventures

  • Xavier Peters, Investment Manager, Leansquare

  • Lauren Pufpaf, Co-Founder/COO, Feed.FM

  • Tom Impallomeni, CEO/Co-Founder, Tribe XR

  • Kirt Debique, CEO/CTO, SyncFloor

  • More to be announced

Building on a successful first edition in 2019 in Los Angeles, Music Tectonics has grown a following for its music tech podcast, community-building events, and quick reflexes. The first Music Tectonics conference saw over 400 attendees gather from across the music and tech macrocosm. The devastating Getty Fire may have closed the original conference venue just 24 hours before it was to start, but the Music Tectonics team swiveled so quickly that the event went ahead on schedule in a new downtown venue far from the fires.


As the wave of coronavirus cancellations knocked down the in-person events where the music tech community was set to gather in 2020, Music Tectonics created a five-month series of #WeeklyWebsdays online meetups with guest speakers, networking, and a warm, welcoming vibe. To keep this growing community connected 24/7/365, the team launched a Music Tectonics social network for music tech that already has 500 members. (Mobile app available on the App Store and Google Play)


All that is just the opening act to October’s main event: the second annual Music Tectonics conference. “We designed our first major event to be different from any other industry gathering, leveraging serious business and big ideas with off-beat programming and enlivening deep networking opportunities with light-hearted fun,” explains director Dmitri Vietze, also CEO of music tech PR firm rock paper scissors. “I knew that this year, we couldn’t just put some talking heads on a screen and call it a Music Tectonics conference.” The aim of Music Tectonics is to provide a space where people from different sectors cross paths and connect, whether they’re with startups, major labels, indie labels, streaming services, distributors, social media platforms, investors, accelerators, legal experts, live event execs, gear makers, or consultants— in short, everyone who works where music and tech meet.


That’s why the conference will take place on an online platform that allows for the chance meetings, impromptu small group chats, and exhibitor hall demos that make in-person events worth attending. When they are not watching keynotes and breakout sessions, attendees can meet each other at randomized networking sessions, invite their connections to one-on-one video calls, or see live and pre-recorded demos at sponsors’ virtual exhibitor booths. “We’re programming exciting panels with sharp music tech thought leaders, but we’re also making space for serendipity,” Vietze muses. “VIP tickets will offer access to even more opportunities to connect with speakers and sponsors and get business done.’


Three music tech leaders have already signed on as top-tier Supernova sponsors: content monetization and music rights administration company AdRev, Music marketing platform Linkfire, and AI-powered audio curation platform Super Hi-Fi. AdRev Founder and President Noah Becker explains why his company signed on as a top Music Tectonics sponsor for the second year in a row: "Dmitri and his team did an exceptional job with the event last year, despite having to relocate venues last minute because of a fire. It was pretty mind-blowing how well coordinated he and his team are. Music Tectonics is attended by an exceptional group of like-minded music and technology entrepreneurs and thought leaders, and we are very glad to be back to both contribute and learn in this new digital format.”


Linkfire Chief Biz Dev Officer Andrea Arcari was also impressed by last year’s event: "Having attended the first edition of Tectonics in 2019, we knew it was a good space for us to be a part of. The MT team shared their vision of how they could take the event online and we were once again impressed by the approach and execution. We're looking forward to October and to this event!" Super Hi-Fi CEO Zack Zalon adds, “We’re incredibly excited to be a part of this year’s Music Tectonics conference. We're looking forward to connecting and collaborating with like-minded people from around the globe whose focus is music technology and streaming music. For Super Hi-Fi, our mission is to help music experience providers deliver the next-generation of listening experiences. Music Tectonics is the perfect opportunity for us to share our vision and to learn from others at the same time… we really think this is going to be a fantastic experience overall."


While recorded music was the focus of most sessions in 2019, the 2020 edition of Music Tectonics will also explore other sides of the industry, including the pandemic’s livestream boom. Vietze elaborates: “While streaming recorded music was the nexus of innovation that drove major changes in the last 20 years, musicians adapted to the changing revenue picture by leaning into live event ticket sales. Now the ground has shifted suddenly again.” Conference sessions will also address music tech investment, music experiences within gaming and fitness environments, long-awaited traction in mixed reality, innovations in sync, and much more.



Learn more about the conference and sign up for the Music Tectonics newsletter to get updates.

Join the Music Tech community: Get the Music Tectonics community app on the App Store or Google Play.


Dmitri Vietze is the Music Tectonics conference director, podcast host, and CEO of music tech PR firm rock paper scissors inc.

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