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Some of the most influential panels at SAMC24
WHY THE BALKANS ARE THE NEW VIBRANT LANDSCAPE FOR MUSIC!
For a long time, the Balkans have been moving away from their communist influence, which ended 33 years ago. The region is developing at a rapid pace, with major festivals and events taking place for more than 25 years, and since 2016, when streaming services were introduced, fans have been able to immerse themselves in a vast sea of previously unheard music from countless genres. As Spotify and Apple Music’s listenership grew, alternative and indie artists slowly began to gain popularity in the Balkans. The streaming services have not only changed the musical taste in the Balkans. They also changed the music created in the Balkans.
The Balkans peninsula has a population of over 65 million people which is almost the population of the United Kingdom. To dismiss the Balkans as important territory would be a huge mistake. Each country on the Balkans is defying trends in the business and becoming a vital element for global music companies.
In spite of economic forecasts for much of Europe over the coming 12 months, due to inflation and an energy crisis fuelled by conflict in Ukraine, key Eastern European territories such as Poland and Romania have seen YoY GDP growth of 4% and 5.8% in 2022, respectively.
Warner Music Group has been making moves in Eastern Europe in recent years, having struck deals in the likes of Poland, Slovakia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and other Balkan countries.
The Balkans consist of several countries where many different languages are spoken. So a hit in Poland does not mean a hit in Serbia. That’s why some people don’t look at the region in its entirety.
The Balkans is also a key global market for hip-hop and urban music consumption and there is a huge potential for building local artists in these genres. The artistic community first realised this potential in Romania, but artists in other markets are following it closely.
Touring on the Balkans
Touring on the Balkans is actually much easier and more reliable than people would expect. Starting in Sofia, which has a major international airport in the centre of the Balkans and is a 3 to 6 hour drive to most major cities in the region, you are looking at a perfect routing for a 2 weeks tour.
Istanbul, which is a 16 million population city, is less than 6 hours away, Belgrade is 5 1/2 hours away, Bucharest is 4 1/2 hours away, Thessaloniki is 3 1/2 hours away, Skopje is 3 1/2 hours away. With newly built highways and perfect 5G coverage, organizing a tour in the Balkans for an emerging artist can be a much better breakthrough opportunity than in a territory like Germany for example.
Cost is another aspect. With affordable prices for almost everything from accommodation and much cheaper, good quality food to renting a van and backline, a small to medium sized band can easily do 10-15 shows in the region with a much better turnover than in Western Europe.
Not to be underestimated is the fact that the region is still hungry for new talent and interesting acts.
Another case study on the Balkans is promotion – marketing your music on the Balkans is much more accessible than in other developed territories and everything from advertising and digital marketing to pressing vinyls and CDs, even traditional PR, radio and TV opportunities is accessible and affordable for independent artists.
The potential of the Balkans is huge and in ways a much safer and better bet to start growing your career in 2023.
The Balkans are becoming an increasingly important market for the music industry, with rapid economic growth and a hunger for new talent and interesting acts. Touring in the region is also easier and more affordable than in Western Europe, making it a good opportunity for emerging artists. Read on to find out how you can get involved!
SoAlive Music Conference is the newest and most thrilling Bulgarian music conference
SOALIVE MUSIC CONFERENCE
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SOALIVE MUSIC CONFERENCE 〰️
Welcome to the extraordinary gateway to the vibrant music industry of the Balkans — SoAlive Music Conference!
At the forefront of Bulgaria's music conference scene, SoAlive Music Conference stands as the newest and most exhilarating platform for music enthusiasts.
Distinguished by its unwavering focus on the historical significance of the Balkans, SoAlive Music Conference delves into the region's transformative journey through various political regimes. Recognizing the profound cultural heritage and embracing the transition, the conference explores the current technological advantages, seeking to harness these innovations for the mutual benefit of the music industry's development. Through the exchange of knowledge, business practices, and groundbreaking innovations, we aim to foster robust musical relationships within our region and beyond.
Driven by our unwavering commitment, SoAlive Music Conference tirelessly endeavors to promote inclusivity and wider participation of South East Europe's (SEE) music professionals and artists within the expansive European Union (EU) ecosystem. We firmly believe in the power of teaching, learning, creativity, and expression as vital drivers of growth. By fostering research and dialogue, we ignite diversity and facilitate the exchange of best practices, thus nurturing a thriving environment for talent to flourish.
SoAlive Music Conference casts a spotlight on the unparalleled wealth that the Balkan region has to offer. We showcase not only our magnificent musical artists from diverse genres but also the remarkable strides made by our thriving IT sector, the latest technological innovations, funding opportunities, dynamic block tours spanning the Balkans, accessible high-quality creative and visual services, and the burgeoning film industry.
Join us at the SoAlive Music Conference, where teaching and learning converge, creativity finds its voice, and research and dialogue create new possibilities. Embrace the abundant opportunities that the Balkans hold, as we celebrate and elevate the incredible talents, industries, and potential that thrive within our region and beyond.
Featuring a schedule packed full of Panels, Seminars, Parties, Events and Performances, SoAlive Music Conference provides an unique opportunity for artists, music industry professionals and fans to meet, network and further their careers from the up-and-coming artist to the seasoned music industry veterans. From group panel discussions to direct one-on-one mentoring, artists are given ample opportunities to make long-lasting impressions and connections.
