Music catalog investor and longtime artist manager Merck Mercuriadis will deliver the keynote address at Music Tectonics 2026, taking place this October 27–29 in Santa Monica, California.
Mercuriadis is scheduled to speak October 28 at the Annenberg Community Beach House. This year’s conference has expanded to three days across two beachfront venues, bringing together music executives, artists, managers, investors, publishers, and technology founders.
The conference will center on the theme “Grow Music, Grow Value,” exploring how different corners of the industry can collaborate to expand the overall music market.
“The last decade has transformed the fortunes of the music industry through systemic change in how people consume music as streaming grew from 30 million to over 800 million paid subscribers globally,” Mercuriadis said. He continued:
“The next decade will further transform the fortunes of artists, songwriters, producers and managers, without whom there is no music industry, through what will be the most significant value shift ever.”
Mercuriadis helped reshape the market for music catalogs through Hipgnosis Songs Fund, Hipgnosis Song Management, and Hipgnosis Songs Capital. Those companies invested in catalogs associated with artists, songwriters, and producers including Neil Young, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nile Rodgers, Shakira, Leonard Cohen, Jack Antonoff, Justin Bieber, and Justin Timberlake.
He has since announced the launch of Hipgnosis Artist Partnerships, where he serves as founder and executive chairman. Earlier in his career, Mercuriadis managed artists including Elton John, Beyoncé, Guns N’ Roses, and Iron Maiden.
Music Tectonics founder Dmitri Vietze said the keynote will support the conference’s broader effort to bring traditionally separate sectors of the music business into the same conversation.
“This year, we want to rally everyone from top label execs to publishers to artist managers to artists and founders around a single theme: how we can work together to create a rising tide that lifts all boats,” Vietze said.
Music tech, investment, and AI on the agenda
Other announced sessions will examine where investors are placing money in music technology, activating artists inside major social games, and whether AI could expand the industry’s total addressable market through new licensing and royalty models.
The schedule will also include conversations about technology designed to increase music revenue, a session in which label representatives respond to music tech startup pitches, and discussions about making AI work for artists, labels, and publishers.
Early-bird tickets are available through August 11. Registration and additional conference information can be found on the Music Tectonics website.
Music Tectonics was founded to explore the deep seismic shifts that keep the music industry unsettled. Music Tectonics unites music tech innovators across industry boundaries to share insights and get business done. A variety of experiences in unexpected venues offer attendees many opportunities for making meaningful connections, scheduling meetings, and serendipitous encounters.
