19th July Sound City Manchester as a part of Distractions
Music Review and Conference -- Science & Industry Museum 10am-3pm
Music Showcase - Festival Square Pavilion 12pm-10pm
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Tech. Music. Creativity. Summit & Showcase.
The future isn’t what it used to be.
For our part in Distractions, the three-day summit that debates the future of entertainment, Sound City presents a day-long conference on 19 July the delves into the newest music and tech – and the intersection between the
two.
Tech is driving future entertainment. AR, VR, MR, 3D immersive technology, facial recognition in stadiums, ticketing and social media – they all make global entertainment bigger and more innovative than ever. The new talent of the future is as likely to be a digital designer as much they are a DJ or performer, a fact that raises questions and invites opportunity.
Join us in Manchester for a day of panels, in-conversations and a key note from some of the world’s leading tech companies and artist managers as we discuss the issues and opportunities that tech brings. Alongside is a diverse, exciting music programme, at Festival Square, the heart of Manchester International Festival, curated by an independent A&R panel made up of some of the most influential voices in the music industry.
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Panels
The future’s not what it used to be?
At the start of the millenium, the widespread use of AI, VR and facial recognition might have seemed like a Sci-fi fantasy. Yet, these technologies are now well and truly upon us.
From paying at the touch of a finger, to placing you right in the centre of a computer game, new technology is being utilised to make the consumer experience quicker, more personal and more immersive in countless ways.
After coming so far in under 20 years, what does the future hold? Could AI take over the nation’s clubs? Could VR be the new way to experience live music? This panel will talk through some of the latest tech innovations and discuss the myriad of music technology options that could dissolve the walls of reality and pave the way for a new era of music.
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Tech. Music. Creativity.
As technology continues to advance and become increasingly intertwined with the music industry, the way that we produce, perform and consume our music is changing by the day. From algorithms and data to AI composers and performance tools like Phase, every aspect of the music world is transforming. These uses of technology can put your new favourite song straight to your screen and make it easier than ever to create and market your own music to just the right people.
However, is it possible for algorithms to be creative? Or, as everything becomes increasingly tailored and refined, do they prevent us from stepping outside the boundaries of normality?
This panel will evaluate the pros and cons of technology integrated with music and question whether these technological developments are enhancing our experiences or disconnecting us from our primal attraction to
music.
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‘Who and what are the new creators and how do we create them?’
With over 30 million people attending live music in the UK each year, the demand for these events is clear. Yet, this demand also means a demand for progression. From the Gorillaz project, to Marshmello’s record breaking
Fortnite performance, people are always innovating and completely reinventing how we consume music. But, in this ever changing landscape, who and what are our new creators and how do we create them?
The game has changed in recent years, musical talent and hard work are no longer enough to survive in the industry. Tech knowledge and innovative creativity are also crucial tools in any musicians arsenal. This panel takes an in-depth look into the skills required in the modern day and ponders how we can educate the next generation of creators navigate this tech-laden world and utilise these exciting new technological tools to enhance the music experience.
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Speakers Include:
Andy Burnham - Metro MayorI
Mike Blake Crawford - Social Chain - Director of Strategy
Sammy Andrews - Sabotage New Media
Andy Wood - Cubic Notion
Jeff Thompson - Unconvention
Andrew Hirst - Modern English
Mike Garry - Poet
Alex Kunawicz - Laduma
Terry Tyldesley - Emergent Technology, Multimedia Producer, Board Chair Resonate Co-Op
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Music Showcase Line-Up in Festival Square: 12pm - 10pm — hosted by Jenna G.
Yemi Balotiwa
Prima
Evabee
Mike Garry Poetry Recital
In Conversation with Andy Burnham, Peter Saville and special guests: 40 years of Factory Records.
Lottery Winners
Leather Party
Lynch's
Grimm Twins
Slow Knife
See Thru Hands
Francis Lung
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