ONEFEST returns with 2 day event of digital talks for future music industry professionals

Award-winning festival and non-profit music development organisation OneFest makes a return in 2021, with the launch today of an exciting two day event of digital talks streamed across Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th March. The two day event will feature a host of high profile speakers from across the music industry, curated in collaboration with industry partners such as PRS Foundation, FAC, MMF, Ivors Academy, Skiddle and Fairwood Music, supported by Arts Council.

One of the original, pioneering social conscience music festivals, OneFest aims to inspire and support the music industry’s community of emerging talent and those embarking on music industry careers, with insightful discussions, debate and practical advice. OneFest will have a particular focus on major challenges such as Covid and Brexit, mental health, artist development, music tech, female leaders, music business, NFTs, as well as an ‘In Conversation with’ Rumer and Shaun Ryder (Happy Mondays), plus a mental health Q&A with Adam Ficek (Babyshambles/Psychotherapist/Tonic Rider),

Speakers include journalist and author John Robb, Mark Sutherland (journalist), Vick Bain (F List/Attitude is Everything), Barry Ashworth (Dub Pistols), Sally Anne Gross (‘Can Music Make You Sick’ author), Mark Davyd (Music Venue Trust), Annabella Coldrick (MMF), Andy Edwards (UK Music), Meenal Odedra (SheSaid.So), David Martin (FAC), Mel Cameron (PPL), Eunice Obianagha (Empire Management), Steve Lois (Tonic Music), Pamela McCormick (Urban Development), Chantal Epp (Click n Clear), Nick Lawrence (Big Star Management), Indy Vidyalankara (Indypendent PR), John Zeff (policy advisor), Jamie Scahill (Skiddle) and more being confirmed.

Sandra Bhatia, OneFest founder and director said “We are delighted to return with OneFest as a two day digital event, as the first of a series of events for 2021. We are bringing together a huge lineup of music luminaries for an ambitious programme of digital talks, that will shine a light on a number of major issues and challenges facing the music community at the moment. Understanding the business of the music industry is key to sustaining careers and young people need access to experts and specialists. The industry has taken a huge hit through the lense of Covid and Brexit and as we look to recover, it’s vital that platforms like OneFest exist to share knowledge, tools and practical advice from the best in the business.”

OneFest co-founder and Director, Stephen Budd added “We’re really excited to launch OneFest digital talks this year with such an excellent, wide ranging line-up of topics and speakers. OneFest will be an unmissable two day event for those interested in real music and real music business talk.”

Following on from OneFest 2020, which took place at Leadmill, Sheffield last September, with an inspired evening and daytime programme co-curated by jazz wunderkind Shabaka Hutchings, OneFest has brought through the winning artists from the 2020 talent showcase Jelly Cleaver, Mark Hanslip, Mock Deer and Join The Din, to take part in Listening and A&R sessions with Ross Gautreau (Fairwood Music) .

To be announced later in 2021, there will also be an exciting series of special one-off digital events, followed by a physical London event curated by a respected artist, featuring OneFest’s signature daytime and evening programme.