9 Upcoming Conferences for the Independent Music Professional
Whether you’re an artist or you work in independent music, you need to be at these nine conferences coming up. Take a look.
Here’s a list of the nine most exciting events on the calendar for the first two months of 2026 that we’re tracking with our partner Bandsintown. Whether you’re an independent artist looking to network or a professional working in live music talent buying, A&R, management, marketing and promotion, distribution, or tech, these conferences and festivals will have boundless opportunities to offer.
Let’s take a look.
CES 2026
January 6-9, 2026 — Las Vegas, Nevada
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is the world’s largest technology trade show, held annually in Las Vegas and produced by the Consumer Technology Association, where global tech companies, startups, and innovators unveil and demonstrate cutting-edge products and trends across consumer electronics, AI, robotics, mobility, health tech, and more. The 2026 edition (January 6–9, 2026) is expected to spotlight artificial intelligence and its integration into both consumer and industrial applications, with major tech brands showcasing next-gen devices, AI-driven innovations, robotics, smart home solutions, wearables, and immersive technologies while industry leaders take the stage to discuss future direction and market trends.
ESNS Conference & Festival
January 14-17, 2026 — Groningen, Netherlands
Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) in Groningen, Netherlands, is a combined music festival and industry conference focused on emerging European talent; over several days in January industry delegates experience live showcases from up-and-coming artists alongside a robust conference program with panels, keynotes, and workshops covering topics from artist management and AI to finance, marketing, sustainability, and touring, making it a key meeting point for discovering new music and networking within the European and global music business.
NAMM 2026
January 20-24, 2026 — Anaheim, California
The NAMM Show, organized by the National Association of Music Merchants, is an annual trade event held in Anaheim, California (January 20–24, 2026) that unites the global music products, sound, and entertainment technology industries; it features expansive exhibits of instruments and music tech from thousands of brands, educational sessions, live performances, awards events, and networking opportunities designed to inspire, inform, and connect professionals, creators, retailers, and educators while celebrating NAMM’s mission to support music-making worldwide.
INTIX 2026
January 26-29, 2026 — Las Vegas, Nevada
The INTIX Annual Conference & Exhibition is a premier gathering for professionals in ticketing and live entertainment, bringing together ticketing managers, venue operators, promoters, technology providers, and other industry stakeholders for education, networking, and insights into current trends, practices, and innovations in ticket sales, fan engagement, and event access management across live events. It’s hosted by the International Ticketing Association (INTIX).
MIDEM 2026
February 4-7, 2026 — Cannes, France
MIDEM, or the Global Meeting for Music Industry Professionals is one of the longest-running global music industry trade events held in Cannes, France, focusing on connecting artists, music executives, tech entrepreneurs, labels, and creatives to explore industry innovation, business opportunities, and emerging trends; the 2026 edition (February 4–7) continues this tradition with panels, showcases, and startup platforms that address music creation, technology, immersive experiences, AI, and cross-industry partnerships in a global cultural context.
FestForums 2026
February 11-13, 2026 — Santa Barbara, California
FestForums is a business-to-business live gathering for festival producers, organizers, and industry leaders — primarily in the North American market — bringing together professionals from music, film, food, and cultural festivals to engage in panels, workshops, awards, networking sessions, and social events that address technology, sustainability, safety, marketing, operations, and other key festival business topics in a collaborative environment.
The ASCAP Experience
February 12, 2026 — Los Angeles, California
The ASCAP Experience is a one-day event designed for songwriters, composers, and music creators within the ASCAP community, offering workshops, panels, live feedback sessions, performances, and networking opportunities that focus on enhancing craft, understanding the modern music business, building careers, and fostering collaboration among creators and industry professionals.
Measure of Music
February 20-22, 2026 — Virtual!
Measure of Music is a virtual, multi-day program aimed at demonstrating the impact and strategic importance of data in the music industry, offering music professionals, hopefuls, and career changers an intensive crash course in music data platforms, analytics, audience insights, and real-world applications for artist management, marketing, and industry decision-making, complemented by mentorship, networking, projects, and startup pitches.
International Live Music Conference
February 24-27, 2026 — London, United Kingdom
The International Live Music Conference (ILMC) in London is a leading annual meeting of professionals from the global live entertainment, touring, and festival sectors, providing a forum for insight, discussion, and networking on trends and challenges in concert touring, festival logistics, promotion, sustainability, and business strategies, alongside associated industry events and award ceremonies that foster deeper connections across the live music ecosystem.
