21st April 2023 FRIDAY
Keynote Interview: Stephen Budd in conversation with Gordon Masson
Host: Gordon Masson (IQ, UK)
Speaker: Stephen Budd (Stephen Budd Music Ltd, UK)
It is almost impossible to write a brief introduction to the life & work of Stephen Budd. From a roadie of Motörhead, through starting an independent record label to becoming one of the most influential managers (managing Tony Visconti, Heaven 17 or Gang of Four) and promoters. Stephen Budd is a British music industry executive, artist and producer manager, festival promoter and DJ. He has created a variety of Charity projects including co-producing Amnesty International’s Give A Home global concert series for refugees and creating WarChild’s “Passport Back To The Bars” – highly successful concert series for children affected by war. Budd has also focused on bringing together musicians from different cultures with projects in Africa, India, Palestine and elsewhere and co-founded Damon Albarn’s Africa Express project. Apart from Albarn, this project has featured artists like Paul McCartney, Brian Eno, Tony Allen, Flea, Femi Kuti or Fatoumata Diawara. At SHARPE, we will get to know Budd better in a keynote interview by Gordon Masson, the editor of the leading industry magazine IQ.
Meet the Czechs – SoundCzech Reception
Come and catch a Czech! Would you like to know more about the music and music possibilities in the Czech republic? Have a bite and a drink and meet the musicians and professionals attending Sharpe.
22nd April 2023 SATURDAY
Good morning, Sharpe!
Enjoy a tasty breakfast and get refreshed and ready for the conference with a cup of tea or coffee!
10:00 – 11:00 @ Radio_FM Stage
Speed-meeting: Meet The Festivals
*For registered only: please sign up here
Meet bookers of ten international music festivals and events from all around Europe in a 5-minute one on one speed-meeting session. Discover what they do, tell them about your project, make initial contact and take the first step towards future cooperation! The speed-meeting session has a limited capacity so be quick!
Participating festivals: Mad Cool Festival (ES), Waves Vienna (AT), Colours Of Ostrava (CZ), Pohoda Festival (SK), TransCentury Update Festival (DE), MENT Ljubljana (SI), 8 Festival (LT), Monkey Week (ES), FLAAM festival (SK), FM4 Birthday Party festival (AT)
It’s all about playlists! Or not?
Host: Koen ter Heegde (Subroutine Records / Yugofuturism, NL)
Speakers: Shao Dow (artist, UK), Love Cerda Ojensa (Aloaded, SWE), David Čajčík (Heartnoize Promotion, CZ), Tomáš Mikš (SOZA, SK)
Another debate about streaming? Well, not only! Let’s have a look at various possibilities of digital monetization nowadays. From choosing the right digital distribution to the importance of playlists pitching, from the power of algorithms to streaming revenues. What are the new strategies and tools to aid record labels in supporting their artists in the ever-evolving world of musical monetization? Is there a way we can stop the imbalance in revenue allocation? Our guests will discuss the endless options of the online world and how to benefit from it!
Listening Session: Artists at SHARPE 2023
Host: Viera Ráczová (Radio_FM, SK)
Speakers: Roxane Dumoulin (ATC Live, FR/UK), David Arias (Primavera Sound, ES), James Thornhill (Under The Radar / Electronic Sound, UK)
What do international journalists, agents and festival bookers think of the recordings by artists playing at SHARPE? Hear their opinions, constructive criticism or words of praise on the 10 songs by selected artists performing at this year’s edition and don’t forget to catch them live in concert at night!
Keynote Interview: Vlado Meller in conversation with Oliver Rehák
Host: Oliver Rehák (Denník N, SK)
Speaker: Vlado Meller (Vlado Meller Mastering, USA)
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Public Enemy, Lou Reed, Pink Floyd, Johnny Cash, Beastie Boys, Duran Duran, Limp Bizkit, Jack White, Paul McCartney…..and many more. The list is almost endless and this is only a handful of artists whose recordings were mastered by Vlado Meller, the leading sound engineer in the USA. Vlado worked with CBS/Sony for 38 years. After the legendary Sony Studios in New York City closed, Meller joined Universal Mastering, where he continued to expand his unparalleled portfolio until 2011 and he has been mastering albums up to the present days at his own company Vlado Meller Mastering. What is maybe a less known fact is that before coming to New York to start his new life and career at CBS Records he fled from his home in Czechoslovakia in 1968. Hear his fabulous story in a keynote interview with Oliver Rehák.
Passion In Recession
Host: Michal Hajduk (IAM, PL)
Speakers: Barbora Bodnárová (Pohoda Festival, SK), David Arias (Primavera Sound, ES) Michal Berezňák (SHARPE festival, SK)
In a time of significant inflation, a huge lack of people in the sector after covid-19 pandemic and variable audience interest, does it still make sense to organize music events that usually end in a loss or do they survive only on the basis of external financing? What is the motivation of those involved in these processes to continue? What drives them forward? Do we have a bright future ahead of us or is culture considered a relic?
Discover: German Festivals
Host: Johannes Jacobi (Höme – Für Festivals, DE)
Speakers: Beke Trojan (MS Dockville, DE), Anne Theimer (Palmenkonzerte, DE), Björn Kagel (Immergut Festival, DE)
The German festival market is one of the biggest in the world. With well over 800 music festivals of all sizes and genres there is something to be found for everyone. One would guess it is a market full of opportunities for artists from other countries to play their way to the top, but it is not that easy – or is it? In cooperation with Höme (a network of more than 150 festivals working together for a better future of our industry) we have invited 3 different experts to discuss what is needed to make it in Germany as an artist from abroad. Our guests are booking for different festivals and will share their experience and advice on what they are looking for, how you present yourself as an artist in the best possible way and which festivals even have the power to help you expand your career.
Beyond Music
Host: Laco Oravec (Nová Cvernovka, SK)
Speakers: Bob Van Heur (Le Guess Who?, NL), Michal Kaščák (Pohoda Festival, SK), Stephen Budd (Stephen Budd Music Ltd, UK)
Music is a powerful tool and rock’n’roll – if we can call it that way – is an international language that has the power to tear down walls, to go beyond borders and even to change the world however strong it may sound. What our guests in this panel have in common is that they provide us with a thought that a better world is possible. And not just a thought. They all stand behind respectable and important projects that show our actions matter. What can we as festival organizers, promoters, artists and other cultural workers do to make a difference and how crucial is it for the society? How important is it to speak up and support minorities be that refugees or LGBTIQ+? Let’s learn about how we can make the world more tolerant and inclusive through our actions.
Music Saves UA reception
At this reception, you will meet the team behind the non-profit humanitarian initiative Music Saves UA. This collective of brave Ukrainians will tell the story of how they harness the power of music and unity to raise money for humanitarian help in Ukraine and promote Ukrainian culture and music across European festivals and conferences. Get to know how music can make a real difference in this world and how you can be a part of that.