On October 27-29, 2026, the seaside conference will feature programming perfect for every stakeholder, from the biggest deal makers to the most cutting-edge creators.
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
Music Tectonics 2026 Sponsors
Music Tectonics partners are poised to make a significant impact on the future of music.
Supernova sponsors are leaders in innovation that grows music’s value:
Artist Growth powers growth with business management software built for music and entertainment.
LyricFind pioneers lyric licensing and data solutions, capturing value for rightsholders.
Rock Paper Scissors, Inc. amplifies music tech innovation as a leading PR & marketing firm.
Vocana promotes community and discovery at the independent-only music streaming platform.
Yamaha Music Innovations Fund invests in the next wave of music and media innovation.
Other sponsors include:
Stars: beatBread, influur, KiT Better, KOSIGN, Luminate, Musical AI, Shure, Xperi
Meteors: Beatlibrary, Blurt, DISCO, Tarka Labs
Asteroids: Disc Makers, Music Habitat Corporation, Music Reports, HFA, Sway Me More
About Music Tectonics
Music Tectonics was founded to explore the deep seismic shifts that keep the music industry unsettled. Music Tectonics unites music tech innovators across industry boundaries to share insights and get business done. A variety of experiences in unexpected venues offer attendees many opportunities for making meaningful connections, scheduling meetings, and serendipitous encounters.
