Taking place March 16 – 17 at Austin's Inn Cahoots, the two-day official SXSW Take Action Showcase and Summit is presented by Let Music Fill My World, Artist For Action, Bandsintown and the Music Managers Forum - US.
The event aims to bridge the gap between high-energy performances and critical industry dialogue regarding mental health, music education, fan engagement, data and artist rights.
RSVP FREE HERE
Overview
Inn Cahoots 1221 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
MONDAY MARCH 16
- 11:30am - Doors
- 12pm - 6pm - Music & Impact Summit Panel Series - Free Food, Drinks, Giveaways & Good Vibes + win limited edition SXSW merch capsules and big prizes from Let Music Fill My World's Music Matters Challenge!
- 6pm - 7pm - VIP Industry Mixer (Invite Only)
- 7pm - 2am - Music Showcases feat. Passion Pit, Five For Fighting & more
TUESDAY MARCH 17
- 11:30am - Doors
- 12pm - 6pm - Film Screenings, Q&A's, Masterclasses, Recording Sessions on The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, Giveaways with artists including Slick Rick, Neil Giraldo of Benatar + Giraldo and Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show + win limited edition SXSW merch capsules and big prizes from Let Music Fill My World's Music Matters Challenge!
- 7pm - 2am - Music Showcases feat. John Popper of Blues Traveler, Micah Edwards & more
The Summit: Rights, Royalties, Fan Engagement and Mental Health
In collaboration with Bandsintown and the Music Managers Forum-US (MMF-US), the free daytime summit panels will provide deep dives into the business and ethics of the modern music industry
MONDAY MARCH 16
12:10pm - Get Paid! Understanding Rights & Royalties
Music generates revenue across streaming, radio, live performance, neighboring rights, and global collections - but many artists leave money unclaimed. This session demystifies the rights landscape, breaking down how royalties flow, where revenue is lost, and how creators can ensure they’re paid properly worldwide. Industry experts share practical guidance on registrations, metadata, performance rights, and digital royalties so artists and rights holders can protect their work and capture every revenue stream.
- Hillel Frankel - Entertainment Law Group / Novo Management & Publicity Inc, Attorney / Artist Manager (Moderator)
- Jamie Dominguez - The MLC, National Director, Industry Relations
- Tiara Guy - SoundExchange, Director, Artist & Industry Relations
- Mitch Ballard - BMI, Executive Director – Creative, Austin
1:00pm - Music Managers: The New Power Brokers
Let’s be honest: the center of gravity in the music industry has shifted. In 2026, the people shaping careers, controlling budgets, and driving long-term strategy aren’t sitting exclusively inside labels or platforms. They’re managers. What began as a cottage trade is now a global profession, with managers serving as the industry’s central power brokers. They are the only role structurally positioned to operate across every sector of the ecosystem on behalf of the artist - translating artistic vision into strategy, deals, and sustainable careers. Modern management is about leadership, leverage, and long-term value creation in a decentralized, global marketplace. This panel dives into how that influence is exercised, how power is stewarded responsibly, and how managers are shaping the future of the global music economy.
- Neeta Ragoowansi - Music Managers Forum - US, President (Moderator)
- Jess Tomlins - Neon Coast, Manager
- Aja Pecknold Smith - Fort William Artist Management, Artist Manager / Partner
- Gabriel Barreto - Gold Village Entertainment, Manager
- Mandy Aragones - COO, Slick Rick Music Corp & Manager to Slick Rick
- Michele Fleischli - LIKE MGMT, Owner
- Julie Klein - C3 Management, COO
1:50pm - From Discovery to Superfans: Powering Artist Growth in the New Music Economy
Success in today’s music industry depends on more than streams - it requires discovery, fan connection, and community building. This panel examines the platforms and strategies helping artists expand globally, deepen fan relationships, and convert attention into lasting careers.
- Emily White - Collective Entertainment; Impact Data & Events, Partner/CEO (Moderator)
- Brian Miller - Tunecore, Chief Revenue Officer
- Dorian Perron - Groover, Co-Founder
- Ryan Star - Stationhead, Co-Founder / CCO
- Harrison Cohen - DUUNES, Independent Artist
- Tommy Stalknecht - Single, Founder & CEO
2:40pm - Filling the Room: Live Music Growth in the Age of Data & AI
In today’s live music economy, success isn’t just about ticket sales - it’s about discoverability, booking demand, fan engagement, and diversified live revenue. This session brings together leaders shaping the live ecosystem to explore how artists, promoters, and event platforms use data, marketplaces, fan tools, and AI-powered insights to grow audiences and secure more opportunities. From tour promotion and targeted fan outreach to private events, brand activations, and experiential bookings, panelists share how live growth is evolving - and what it takes to fill calendars and rooms in 2026.
- Fabrice Sergent - Bandsintown, Co-Founder / Managing Partner (Moderator)
- Mark Steiner - GigSalad, Founder
- Jeremy Gruber - Friends at Work, Head of Artist Marketing & Digital Strategy
3:30pm - Turning Music IP Deals Into Experiences
Music IP is rapidly becoming the engine behind today’s most compelling live and immersive experiences, fueling residencies, pop‑ups, destination venues, cultural exhibitions, branded entertainment and long-term touring formats. Turning songs and catalogs into experiences requires far more than creative vision. It demands a sophisticated mix of rights clearances, licenses, approvals and production strategy. This panel pulls back the curtain on how these deals actually get made. Entertainment lawyers, artist managers and venue designers will unpack the legal, economic and creative mechanics that determine what IP can scale and why. Moderated by Craig Laurie, Chief Creative Officer of RWS Global, the discussion explores how rights decisions shape storytelling, design, production workflows, casting, budgets and long‑term viability, offering a rare, insider look at how music IP becomes a repeatable, live experience audiences want to return to.
- Craig Laurie - RWS Global, Chief Creative Officer (Moderator)
- Brian Mirakian - Populous, Senior Principal
- Lisa T. Oratz - Perkins Coie LLP, Senior Counsel, Firmwide Co-Chair, Film and Television
- Michele Fleischli - LIKE MGMT, Owner
4:20pm - Mental Health in Music: Beyond Awareness
Mental health conversations in music have evolved - now the focus is action. Artists, a neuroscientist and leaders in social connection and wellness explore what truly supports wellbeing across the music ecosystem. From brain science and lived experience to connection-driven initiatives and artist advocacy, this session looks at how music can move from awareness to real impact.
- Cayley Tull - Let Music Fill My World, Co-Founder (Moderator)
- Andrew MacPherson - Foundation for Social Connection Action Network, Co-Founder
- Michael Angelakos - Passion Pit, Artist / Mental Health Advocate
- Neil Giraldo - Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Artist / Producer / Activist
- Coyle Girelli - Calm and Collected Music Group, Co-Founder / CEO / Artist / Composer
- Dr. Assal Habibi - USC, Associate Professor of Psychology & Director of the Center for Music, Brain, and Society
5:10pm - The Power of Music for Social Good
What happens when songs become rallying cries and artists become catalysts for change? Influential musicians and social impact leaders explore how music is driving action - from mental health and gun violence prevention to expanding music education, confronting antisemitism and hate, supporting humanitarian efforts, and strengthening community healing. Through firsthand stories and real-world initiatives, this session reveals how music can inspire connection, mobilize audiences, and transform empathy into meaningful impact.
- Cayley Tull - Let Music Fill My World, Co-Founder (Moderator)
- John Ondrasik - Five For Fighting, Artist / Activist
- Ketch Secor - Old Crow Medicine Show, Artist / Activist
- Neil Giraldo - Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Artist / Producer / Activist
- Mark Barden - Artist For Action / Sandy Hook Promise, Co-Founder
Powerhouse Lineup for Change
The event features performances across two stages, boasting an eclectic mix of legendary talent and rising stars:
- Passion Pit (Michael Angelakos)
- John Popper (Blues Traveler)
- Five For Fighting (John Ondrasik)
- Ketch Secor (Old Crow Medicine Show)
- Neil Giraldo (Benatar + Giraldo)
- His Lordship, Sexpop, OKAN, Micah Edwards, and more.
"Our main purpose in life is not to make money... our purpose is to serve others," says Michael Angelakos of Passion Pit. "It is truly an honor to be called upon to join Artist For Action for Take Action x SXSW."
Launching the MIC (Music Impact Coalition)
This year’s event serves as the launchpad for the Music Impact Coalition (MIC). Founded by John Ondrasik and Cayley Tull, MIC is a national alliance of over 20 music and arts organizations dedicated to ensuring every student in America has access to quality music education.
Win Big: The $335,000 "Music Matters Challenge"
Attendees and fans can also participate in the Music Matters Challenge. By creating an original rendition of Five For Fighting’s “Let Music Fill My World” and sharing a personal story about music’s influence, participants can win a share of over $335,000 in cash awards and prizes.
Submissions can be recorded live on-site at The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus. Full details are available at letmusicfillmyworld.org/challenge.
