More than 300 delegates from Luxembourg and all over Europe and 50 speakers from 20 different countries assembled for the 8th edition of the Sonic Visions Music Conference, held last week.
The Sonic Visions Music Conference once again helped music professionals, artists and music aficionados to develop and enhance their creative projects, with the new addition of a day dedicated entirely to the metal genre. This Metal Day opened the conference on Thursday 12 November 2015, featuring musci professionals from such initiatives as Bloodstock Festival, Wasken Open Air and Dragon Productions.
This was followed up by a far more wide-ranging Friday and Saturday, with over 15 panel discussions and workshops tackling such topics as alternative revenue streams, digital release and promotion strategies for artists, touring, artists management and career development. Discussed predominantly from the artist's point of view, these sessions provided participants with the DIY resources necessary for delving 'behind the scenes' of the music world and the creative business opportunities thereof.
Highlights of the conference included keynote speeches by internationally-renowned professionals and experts such as music stylist and man behind the 'Jack & jones' and Nick Cave 'Made from Cool' campaign with Christopher Walken, Jesper Gadeberg; Head of Artist and Label Services of Believe Digital Germany, Torsten Mewes; president of the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg, Professor Udo Dahmen; and PledgeMusic CEO and Founder, Benji Rodgers.
Workshops also provided information for participating local artists and bands, such as 'The Independent Professional Artist and Intermittent Entertianment Worker' session, held in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, as well as numerous networking opportunities with music labels, bookers and festivals from the Greater Region and further afield.
On Saturday, the 3rd edition of the Video Clip Awards (VCAs) was held by Rockhal and Rocklab to reward the creative visual universe of a band or individual which marks an important factor in generating potential revenue streams for the artist in an all-digital world. 'MKL JKSN' by Mutiny on the Bounty, directed by Raoul Henri and Stephen Korytko, won the 'Best Music Video' and 'Best Upcoming Young Director' Awards, whilst the 'Audience Award' went to T the Boss and director Alphone Hatz for 'Life Goes On (feat Maniak)'.
Friday saw a hand-picked line-up of 15 bands, including local groups Seed to Tree, When 'Airy Met Fairy and Heartbeat Parade, as well as Fickle Friends, Black Box Revelation and Rag 'N' Bone and headliners Aaron and Death Cab for Cutie.
Saturday's performances were cancelled in an act of solidarity for the more than 129 victims of the attacks in Paris on Friday evening.
Photo by Rockhal
