9:00 - 9:45

Registration, coffee and pastries​

9:45 - 9:55

Opening Remarks

Welcome back. A short introduction to the day ahead, building on the conversations from Day 1.

9:55 - 10:35 | Focus Session

Music as a Pillar of Peace and Recovery

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Speakers

• Jake Groshong, CEO,  Playing For Change

• Iryna Lobanok, mainstream music programme manager, Ukrainian Institute

• Ahmed Saqer, Director, Palestine  Music Expo

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In the face of conflict and displacement, music is far more than a soundtrack, it is a tool for survival, diplomacy, and reconstruction. This session brings together frontline voices from Palestine and Ukraine alongside a global development organization to explore the role of music in high-stakes environments. Discover how cultural programs serve as vital infrastructure for trauma recovery, community mobilization, and the preservation of national identity during times of crisis. Learn how to integrate music into international development frameworks to build resilient, peaceful futures.

10:35 - 11:30 | Panel

The Policy Remix: Bold Solutions for Resilient Music Cities All Over The World

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Moderator: Sean Adams, Founder and DrownedinSound
 

Speakers: 

• Alice Glenn,VP of Tourism,  New Orleans & Company

• John Graham, Minister for Music, New South Wales

• Yaw Owusu, Creative Director, Nothing But the Music

• Susannah Tantemsapya , Creative Migration

• Eddie Hatitye, Executive Director,  Music In Africa Foundation

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Cities worldwide are facing urgent challenges, from venue closures to artist displacement, that demand creative solutions. This session explores how cities have used bold policy to solve real-world crises, from venue protection to artist housing, moving beyond theory into action. Learn the "how" behind the wins and leave with a practical toolkit to rewrite the rules in your own backyard.

11:30 - 12:10 | Networking

Coffee Break

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A chance to recharge, reflect and continue conversations with speakers and delegates.

12:10 - 12:35 | Fireside Chat

Presented by Generator: Northern Soundlines

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Speakers:

• Dave Haslam, music journalist and DJ

• Nadine Shah , musician

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What does it take to build a music life outside London — and what does the rest of the country lose when that is not possible? This fireside chat brings together two distinctly Northern voices: South Shields-raised artist Nadine Shah, whose work and advocacy have made her one of the sharpest commentators on the realities facing working musicians today, and Manchester journalist, DJ and author Dave Haslam, a chronicler of British club and gig culture for four decades. From Tyneside to the Haçienda to Hull, they'll trace how Northern cities have shaped British music, what's keeping that ecosystem alive now, and what policymakers in the room should be hearing from the people who make the work.

12:35 - 13:30 | Panel

 The Power of Music City Networks
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Speakers

• Glasgow - Katie Duffy, Head of Arts and Music, Glasgow Life

• Umea - Emma Andrau, Humlan

• Mannheim - Mathias Rauch, Head of Creative Cluster, Mannheim Next

• Asa Dýradóttir, Reykjavík Music City

• Moderator: Sarah Pearson (Beyond The Music)

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No city is an island. In the modern creative economy, collaboration is the ultimate competitive advantage. This series of fast-paced presentations showcases the tangible benefits of international music networks and sister cities. From shared talent circuits and cross-border tourism branding to joint policy research and digital innovation hubs, discover how formal partnerships amplify local impact. Hear directly from the leaders who are bridging continents to create a unified global stage, proving that when cities sync their strategies, the entire ecosystem thrives.

13:30 - 15:00 | Networking

Lunch
 

A longer break to refuel, connect and continue conversations with delegates and speakers.

15:00 - 15:40 | Presentations

Strategic Case Studies

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This rapid-fire session presents four high-impact music city strategy case studies.

Topics include:

• Bergen Kjøtt (Norway), a hybrid venue and production hub using innovative mechanisms to protect cultural infrastructure and retain talent.

• UK policy solutions for economic growth, such as financial incentives for live music and integrating venues into city master plans.

• UMG's approach to leveraging investment and data for revitalizing public spaces, music-led placemaking, and fan engagement.

• Live DMA's "Anatomy of a Closure," a practical guide addressing venue closures due to noise complaints, offering concrete recommendations from experts in nightlife governance, urban planning, and acoustics.

15:40 - 17:10 | Workshop

The Music City Policy Hackathon: Designing Public Policy Collectively

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Speakers

• Community Engagement - Ben Lewis, Managing Director, Young Voices

•  Infrastructure - Jett Glozier, Head of Business Development, Sound Diplomacy

• Tourism - Signe Jungersted, CEO, Group Nao

• Sound and Placemaking -Sunil Sharpe, DJ and music producer

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Policy is where the change happens. For the last 90 minutes of the conference, attendees will be divided into teams to tackle four of the most difficult challenges facing modern cities: Investment, Sound and Placemaking, Tourism, and Infrastructure. 

Under facilitators' guidance, each team must move from a problem statement to a fully formed policy proposal. The session culminates with each team presenting its solutions to the whole group.

17:10 - 17:15

Closing Remarks 

Final reflections and key takeaways from the Music Cities Convention.​