SAMC Slow Meetings 2026
Slow Meetings is a new closed-door format at SoAlive built around something increasingly rare in the music industry: an honest conversation.
Two invited industry voices sit down with just six delegates or artists. No stage. No presentation, no prepared questions. No pitching and no audience watching.
We expect everyone to leave their phones outside, or at least firmly in their pockets, and actually talk.
The announced topic is simply the starting point. Where the conversation goes from there is up to the people around the table.
This is a space to speak openly about what is working, what is broken, what people are afraid to say publicly, and where the music industry is actually heading.
Closed door. Eight people maximum. No recording. Just a real conversation about the state of the music industry.
How it works?
– Each session has 2 hosts and a maximum of 6 participants.
– You can apply for up to 2 Slow Meetings.
– Places are limited.
– You’ll receive an email confirming whether you’ve been given a place.
– If you can’t come after all, please let us know as early as possible so someone else can take your seat.
The meetings
What Makes an Artist Worth Writing About?
Tuesday 14 October | 13:00–14:00 | Meeting Room 1
Hosts: Eva Dinnewitzer (Die Presse) and Paulina Bahr (Diffus)
Why do some artists get written about and others don’t, and what actually catches a journalist’s attention? An open talk about stories, timing and what makes coverage happen.
What Actually Helps an Artist Break Through?
Tuesday 14 October | 14:30–15:30 | Meeting Room 1
Hosts: Ondrej Chrast (United Islands) and Luk Zettl (Agent)
Playlists, live shows, a team or plain luck? A frank conversation about what really moves an artist from promising to established, and what is just noise.
Can You Build an International Career From the Wrong Country?
Tuesday 14 October | 16:00–17:00 | Meeting Room 1
Hosts: Silas Schwarzkopp (MusikWoche) and Login Kochishki (Password Production)
Is coming from a smaller or “unexpected” market still a disadvantage? What it takes to be taken seriously abroad, and whether being an outsider can be an advantage.
How to Get Placed and How to Get Paid
Wednesday 15 October | 12:00–13:00 | Meeting Room 1
Hosts: Max Christensen (Crunchy Frog) and AJ Tobey (Bankrobber)
Sync, licensing and publishing without the jargon. How placements actually happen, what they are worth, and how to make sure the money really reaches you.
The Power of Fan Culture
Wednesday 15 October | 14:00–15:00 | Meeting Room 1
Hosts: Birgit Reuther (NDR) and Chris Sampson (Spotify)
Why real fans matter more than big numbers. How communities form around artists, and how to build and keep a lasting connection with an audience.
What Makes an Agent Say Yes?
Wednesday 15 October | 15:30–16:30 | Meeting Room 1
Hosts: Dennis Adler (Friendly Reminder) and Hannah Edds (WMA)
What booking agents look for, the signals that get their attention, and the mistakes that make them stop reading. Straight from the people who decide.
