Music Tectonics 2026 Announces Full Programming

Music Tectonics has issued a call to the music industry: Let’s get together to grow the market for everyone. With this year’s conference programming, that call will be translated into action. The conference weaves together panels, speed networking, startup pitches, and demos from some of the most creative and innovative companies working in music, all at inspiring oceanfront venues in Santa Monica.

“Music Tectonics is setting out to transform this industry. We want to ask challenging questions and face the answers that will let us grow music substantively,” explains Music Tectonics founder Dmitri Vietze. “It’s time we stepped away from the kneejerk reactions to tech and music, to business interests and creativity working together, so that we can attract everyone to the conversation. We all love music and want to see it succeed.”

Music Tectonics will break down the practical ways artists, managers, labels, publishers, and tech companies can work in concert to grow the industry for all. A fireside chat with industry trailblazer Merck Mercuriadis, founder of Hipgnosis Artist Partnerships, will set the constructive tone and offer insights into how to realign music’s cultural and monetary value. 

One key theme in growing music: the right tech can support, not disrupt, music industry growth for artists, labels and publishers, whether it’s getting AI right, finding new opportunities on platforms like Roblox, or closing the royalty collection gap. Several panels and conversations focus specifically on artist and manager perspectives and on what tools and practices can enable artists to make the most of an expanding market for music. And tech innovators will find plenty of inspiration and connections with decision-makers, thanks to investor panels, a startup open mic, speed-networking, and the annual Swimming with Narwhals competition, this year featuring startups that extend beyond music. 

This year’s Narwhal Finalists include: 

Cadence IO, Sam Friske: the infrastructure layer for release marketing

EquitX, William Larras and Julius Graf: intent-based ticketing for high-demand events

Resolut, Cutter Grathwohl: automated royalty conflict resolution at scale

Visuals.fm, Sebastian Mourra: AI visual engine for music teams

New this year Music Tectonics is thrilled to partner with leading global law firm Morrison Foerster (aka “MoFo”) as they host a dedicated VIP takeover of the exquisite Marion Davies Guest House at the conference venue for high-level meetings, networking, and selective programming. This invite-only extension of the conference will bring together senior executives from catalog buyers, investors, labels and publishers, private equity, investment bankers, artists’ estates and management companies, DSPs, and technology companies.

“We’re looking forward to seeing many of our good friends, facilitating introductions, and sharing innovative ideas for the future of the industry,” says Spencer Klein, Partner and Global Head of M&A, Morrison Foerster.

Across the conference, meaningful moments happen thanks to the welcoming vibe and beautiful surroundings. “We’ve found that the environment you create, as well as who you bring together, does 90% of the work. It boosts people’s moods and makes them open to new ideas and connections,” Vietze notes. “That’s always our goal at Music Tectonics.” 

Sneak Peek at Music Tectonics Programming

Sessions:

Grow the Artist, Grow the Market: The Tools Turning Independent Artists and Labels Into Industry Forces

Context Without Compromise: The Music Executive’s Guide to Safe and Effective AI Operations

What if AI Grows the TAM? A New Licensing & Royalty Paradigm

Don’t Sell Before You Know Your Options: How Artists Are Growing the Music Economy Without Signing Away Their Rights 

Rising Tide, Uneven Boats: Closing the Royalty Collection Gap

Investor Confidential: Where the Money’s Moving in Music Tech

Making Music Make Sense on Roblox: 123 Million Daily Players and the Next Fan Culture Frontier

What is a Music Creator? Growing the TAM in the World of Creators

Creating and Optimizing Partnerships with Artists’ Estates

Open Mic for the Innovators of Music Tech: The Pulse of Startups, Scale Ups, and More

Music Is Worth More: Tech That Multiplies Revenue, Not Disrupts It

Find a Show, Buy the Merch, Skip the Industry. Real Income, Direct to Indie Artists.

Startup Hotbox: Labels React to Music Tech Startups

Growing the Market for Music Worldwide

Find the Money: A Live Game Show About Streams, Payouts, and Data

Should Your Software Have a Hardware Partner? A Real Talk on APIs, Affiliates, and Integrations with Shure Microphones

The Future of IP is Transmedia: The Cross Platform Secret Weapon

Physical, Connected: Bringing Digital Innovation Into the Physical Music Experience

What is Direct to Fan in 2027?

Blurt.FM:  Find a Show, Buy the Merch, Skip the Industry. Real Income. Direct to Indie Artists.

Beatlibrary: Recognizing Catalog Valuation and Revenue Recovery for Sampling and Derivative Works

Swimming with Narwhals: Music Tectonics Pitch Competition Final

Music Tech Investor Speed Networking 

UMG Startup Studio

Confirmed speakers include:

Merck Mercuriadis, Hipgnosis Artist Partnerships

Matt Adell, Musical AI

Darryl Ballantyne, LyricFind

Laura Davidson, Shure

Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times

Dani Deahl, BandLab

Jason Feinberg, KOSIGN

Bridget Ferris, ElevenLabs

Matthew Gawrych, Beggars Group

Susan Genco, The Azoff Company

Andreea Gleeson, Beatbread

Heather Johnson, Sub Pop Records

Andrew Kahn, Yamaha Music Innovations Fund

Spencer Klein, Morrison Foerster

Constantin Köhncke, FL Studio / Image Line

Sierra Lever, Category 1 Entertainment

Rob Levin, Interscope Capitol

Liora London, DISCO

Jaime Marconette. Luminate

Paul McCabe, Roland

Ryan McMahan, Oath Management

Jessica Meehan, Roblox

Eddie Micklovic, Nero

Sho Mitchell, Beatlibrary.io

Vickie Nauman, CrossBorderWorks

Dominic Pandiscia, Primary Wave

Chirag Patel, A2IM

Michael Pelczynski, Rostrum Pacific

Xena Plat, 411 Music Group

Ed Poston, Symphonic Distribution

Anthony Ramirez, Morrison Foerster

Rian Rochford, Loma Vista Recordings

Matt Rose, KOBALT

Ishan Sachdev, Deciens Capital

Scott San Filippo, Blurt.FM

Helen Sartory, Beatport

Allen Schrott, Xperi

Marisol Segal, 138 Strategic

Neil Sheehan, Vocana

Colby Silon, Rostrum Pacific

Jason Sklar, Shamrock Capital

Neil Sheehan, Vocana

Jennifer Sullivan, KiTbetter

David Tauber, Creator Partners

Jason Thurman, Sirius XM

Matthew Tilley, beatBread

Lexi Todd, Primary Wave

Matt Urmy, Artist Growth

Dmitri Vietze, Rock Paper Scissors

JR Walker, The Orchard

Mike Walsh, Structure VC

Vivian Wei, NetEase Cloud Music

Jason Yeh, Patron Fund

Sun-Ui Yum, MUSIC

Sun Jen Yung, Jakota Capital US

Tickets and more information available here https://www.musictectonics.com/

by Decoded Magazine

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