Building Bridges

In collaboration with the HEMI Music Hub Programme, we championed collaboration and sustainable development across Europe, connecting vibrant regions from the Baltics to the Balkans. Our participation in pivotal events like MENT Conference and Showcase, in Ljubljana or Linecheck Music Festival and Meeting, in Milan, highlighted cutting-edge music industry trends and innovation, while the A to Jazz Festival, in Sofia, and the PIN Music Conference, in Skopje, underscored our commitment to the thriving Balkan music scene. Moreover, during the Athens Music Week 2024, we hosted european initiatives and networks such as the Music Tech Europe Association, Europe In Sync, IMPALA and Digital Fems, fostering dynamic discussions and enriching the regional and local music ecosystem with their invaluable expertise.

Promoting our HEMI-sphere!

HEMI activities, mentors, partners and experts have played a pivotal role in fostering collaboration between different networks from Central and South Eastern Europe region. One of the highlights during the AMW2024 was the Network Mixer, where HEMI joined forces with the Eastern European Music Academy (EEMA) and the Music Tech Europe Academy (MTEA). This innovative gathering provided attendees with a unique opportunity to discover the initiatives of each network while building meaningful connections and collaborations. Another standout moment was the introduction of “Sync About It,” a groundbreaking project emerging from the HEMI Incubator. As the first initiative dedicated to music synchronization in Central and Eastern Europe, the project, set to launch in Bucharest in early 2025, captivated participants with its journey from concept to securing European grants and its focus on real client briefs. The festival’s energy culminated with electrifying performances by HEMI Music Awards artists Astrid, Freakin’ Disco, and AMKA, who left audiences inspired and showcased the exceptional talent nurtured by HEMI.

Spotlight on the Mediterranean Initiative

Building on our initiative to strengthen dialogue and collaboration among countries of the Mediterranean basin, we partnered with key collaborators from Spain to Türkiye to spotlight regional synergies at several major conferences. At Eurosonic 2024, in Groningen, we actively participated in “The Mediterranean Region: Exploring Music Trade and Collaboration” panel, highlighting opportunities for cross-border partnerships. During the Reeperbahn Festival 2024 in Hamburg, we contributed to the “Mediterranean Wave” session, showcasing the region’s dynamic cultural identity. Additionally, at SHIP Festival in Croatia, we joined the panel discussion “Mediterranean Region: Musical Crossroads,” emphasizing the rich, diverse potential of Mediterranean music as a unifying force.

Tackling Key Industry Challenges

In 2024, we tackled some of the music industry’s most pressing challenges by supporting targeted initiatives and events that drive innovation and sustainability. At Act in Sync Athens, we explored how the music industry can combat climate change and champion sustainability practices. During the annual Fintech 3.0 conference held at the National Bank of Greece, we delved into the transformative impact of financial technologies like blockchain and digital currencies on the music business. During the PsvalueTalks conference in the National Gallery, we highlighted the pivotal role of culture and music in fostering local development and strengthening communities. Additionally, at the Bosphorus Summit in Istanbul, Türkiye, we underscored the music industry’s significance in promoting regional growth and cross-border collaboration.

Music Tech Europe Academy (MTEA)

This year marked significant milestones for our acceleration program as we welcomed the MTEA first cohort of startups in Athens and celebrated the launch of the second cohort in collaboration with the Music Innovation Hub, Technoport.lu, Barcelona Music Tech Hub, Media deals and MESO Events at the Linecheck Music Meeting and Festival. This dynamic event served as a vibrant hub for startups, offering invaluable opportunities to connect with industry leaders, expand their networks, and gear up for active participation in the program, fostering innovation and growth in the music and creative industries.

Empowering Artists and Driving Creative Growth

With our newly formed Artistic Board leading the way, Athens Music Week has become the ultimate meeting point for artists, music creators, and industry professionals. Made up of top-notch experts and creative minds from Greece and across Europe, the board is redefining the event’s showcase and artistic focus. With the creation of its Artistic Board, Athens Music Week aims to elevate the quality of its showcase concerts while fostering closer collaboration between the domestic and international music markets. The goal is to establish AMW as a key springboard for emerging talents and a catalyst for creative opportunities in the region and beyond.

Looking Ahead

As we reflect on 2024, we’re excited about the momentum we’ve built and look forward to an even more dynamic 2025. Thank you to everyone who joined us this year – your support and creativity are what make Athens Music Week a vibrant and impactful celebration of music and innovation.

Stay tuned for updates on what’s next by visiting our website and following us on social media.

The post 2024: A Year of Growth and Connection for Athens Music Week appeared first on Athens Music Week.

Athens Music Week (AMW) returns for the 7th consecutive year from 7 to 10 May 2025 for a festive four-day event full of music, live concerts, discussions panels, workshops, and many more parallel events spread out in the city center of Athens.

As every year, the countdown for the event begins with the launch of the Open Call for showcases that are an important and integral part of it. Athens Music Week gives the stage to young artists, new bands and music projects from Greece and abroad and from every musical genre to unfold their talent in front of professionals and music experts of the domestic and international market (managers, bookers, promoters, A&Rs etc.), to live a unique experience and explore new and exciting opportunities.

The selection of showcasing artists is carefully curated by an Artistic Board to ensure a dynamic, high-quality program. Experienced professionals from the domestic and international music industry carefully evaluate entries to select those with the greatest potential to perform at AMW.

More specifically, the Artistic Board includes representatives from both the domestic and international music markets. From the domestic scene, participants include: Andreas Periklis Metaxas, Marketing Director of the music company Stay Independent; Antonis Zouganelis, Artistic Director of the Athens Jazz Festival; Argyris Dalavagas, Managing Director and Head Agent of TMR Entertainment; Christos Papanantsidis, Founder of Made of Stone Productions; Evi Choursanidi, Editor-in-Chief of the music site avopolis.gr; Makis Quetempo and Voltnoi Brege, Artistic Directors of Stegi.Radio; Michalis Kamakas, Radio Producer at Kosmos 93.6; Olga Papadopoulou, AMW Artists and Showcase program Coordinator and Theodora Karakassi, co-organiser of the Athens based Plisskën Festival.

From the international music market, participants will include: Andreas Trachonitis (CY), Founder, Producer, and Director of Fengaros Festival, Louvana Records, and Studio Eleven63; Anca Lupes (RO), President of RAW Music and Director of the Mastering the Music Business conference; Cesar Andion (ES), PR, Talent & Export Specialist for Live Nation Madrid and Head of the Export Program at The Spanish Wave Showcase; Dragan Ambrozić (RS), Artistic Director of the Main Stage at the EXIT Festival and the Belgrade Jazz Festival; Lisa Nasta (UK), Coordinator and Production Manager for Green Futures Field at Glastonbury; Oskar Strajn (SI), Booker for ESNS – Eurosonic Noorderslag; and Ruth Koleva (BG), Founder and CEO of the SoAlive music conference in Sofia.

With the establishment of the Artistic Board, AMW aims to enhance the quality of the showcase concerts, which it has been promoting since its inception, and foster stronger relationships and closer collaboration between the domestic and international music markets. More information about the members of the artistic committee can be found here.

By aspiring to become a hub for promoting domestic musical talents with export potential, as well as introducing outstanding international artists to the Greek audience, AMW reinforces its commitment to bridging the Greek music industry with the global market, a goal that is at the heart of AMW’s philosophy.

Apply here until January 5th 2025 

Detailed information about this year’s program will be announced from the new year.

Follow us @athensmusicweek

Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Vimeo, Twitter, LinkedIn, Tik Tok 

Useful Info

– Applicants must be solo artists or bands over 18 years old.
– Competition is open to any music genre and admission is free.
– Showcase duration: 30 min. max
– Backline supply: Yes
– Accreditation for artists: Yes, for all the musicians, and for all the days of the event
– Accommodation: yes, for artists coming from a distance of more than 200 km.

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Athens Music Week (AMW) returns for the 6th consecutive year from 22 to 25 May 2024 for a festive four-day event full of showcase concerts, discussions, workshops, parties and of course the Live stage at the main stage of Technopolis!

As every year, the countdown for the event begins with the launch of the Open Call for showcases that are an important and integral part of it. The festival gives the stage to young artists, bands and music projects from Greece and abroad and from every musical genre to unfold their talent in front of professionals and music experts of the domestic and international market (managers, bookers, promoters, A&Rs etc.), to live a unique experience and spread their wings for new adventures!

This year’s process, however, is special compared to previous years, as for the first time the final decision on the selection of artists to participate in AMW’s showcase concerts will be taken by an artistic board set up specifically for this purpose! It will involve key people in various positions in the domestic and international music industry, who will be called upon based on their experience and training to carefully evaluate the entries and select those with the best chances of progress.

Productions Achilleas Stavrou, the owner of the record label Teranga Beat Adamantios Kafetzis, the marketing director of the music company Stay Independent Andreas Periklis Metaxas, the founder of MESO and Artistic Director of Athens Music Week George Perot, the editor-in-chief of the music site avopolis.gr Evi Choursanidi, the radio producer at Kosmos 93,6 Michalis Kamakas, the founder and co-owner of the Principal Club Nikos Stefanidis, the co-organizer of the Plisskën Festival Theodora Karakasi and the artistic director of Fuzz Productions / Release Festival Thomas Machairas from the domestic music market, while from the international one will participate the president of RAW Music and Director of Mastering the Music Business Anca Lupes, PR, Talent & Export for Live Nation Madrid and head of export program The Spanish Wave Showcase Cesar Andion, the booking agent of the historic French company Zamora Productions Christophe Spagnuolo, the artistic director of the main stage of the EXIT Festival and the Belgrade Jazz Festival Dragan Ambrozić and the coordinator and director production for Green Futures Field, Glastonbury Lisa Nasta.

With the creation of the artistic board, AMW aims on the one hand to upgrade the quality of the institution of showcase concerts that it has been promoting since its first year of holding and on the other hand to strengthen relations and propose closer ways of cooperation and automation between the domestic and international music market, aspiring to evolve into a center for the promotion of such domestic,  musical talents with export potential, as well as remarkable international groups to the Greek public. Initiatives such as the one above strengthen the connection between the Greek music industry and abroad, a goal that is at the heart of AMW’s philosophy.

Among the Greek artists who have already presented their work in the context of the Athens Music Week showcase & concerts are Amalia & The Architects, Christos Kalkanis, Deaf Radio, Evritiki Zygia, Fundracar, Good Job Nicky, Gemma, Thrax Punks, Lia Hide, Molyneux, Odysseas Tziritas, Saske, Nalyssa Green, The Bonnie Nettles, The Lobsters, VASSIŁINA, Whereswilder, and over 40 emerging artists from Europe

More information about the members of the artistic committee can be found here:

https://www.athensmusicweek.gr/artistic-board-2024/

Apply here until December 31st:

https://www.athensmusicweek.gr/el/

AMW is implemented with the support of the European network Hub for The Exchange of Music Innovation (HEMI) and Music Tech Europe Academy (MTEA), funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.

Detailed information about this year’s program and ticket prices will be announced from the new year.

Follow us @athensmusicweek

Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Vimeo, Twitter, LinkedIn, Tik Tok

Useful Info

Showcase duration: 30 min. max

Backline supply: Yes

Accreditation for artists: Yes, for all days of the event

Accommodation: yes, for artists coming from a distance of more than 200 km

The post The Open Call for the Athens Music Week 2024 showcases has begun! appeared first on Athens Music Week.

The Federation of Music Conferences is a non-profit organization, established in Groningen in December 2022 as a Stichting (Foundation), as an initiative of six European organizations holding a yearly music festival and conference. Its aim is to connect, represent and empower music conferences with an international, national and regional target, which share the scope of taking care for the interests and belongings of the music ecosystem, develop a stronger and fair creative economy and build bridges between music and other CCI.

By joining the Federation of Music Conferences, we strengthen our position as a conference and showcase festival that aims at the unity, resilience and innovation of our sector, while at the same time participating more actively in the ongoing discussion to find solutions around the issues that the music industry faces.

 You can find more about the Federation Of Music Conferences here: https://musicconferences.org/

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The Open Call conducted by the Music Tech Europe Academy was successfully completed with the jury deciding on the 10 start-ups with the best chances of development, capable of shaping the future of the music and technology ecosystem. The following start-ups will have the opportunity to participate in a 7-month acceleration program developed in 2021 as part of Music Moves Europe

* Afroplug
* Arenametrix
* Audacia Innovations
* Drumap
* FEST
* IZI
* Meloom
* Mood
* Oratrex
* Your Music Marketing

Athens Music Week actively supports the acceleration program and will host the closing event of the Music Tech Europe Academy in its next edition, inviting the 10 start-ups to Athens. In addition to this experience within the program, the selected start-ups will have the opportunity to participate in festival events with networking capabilities, as well as to take part in panels, workshops and exhibitions focused on the music and music-technology industries. This amazing experience will allow them to get in touch with international industry professionals, gain valuable knowledge and present their own innovative ideas to key people in the field.

The MTE Academy is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union and coordinated by the Music Innovation Hub (Italy), in collaboration with Media Deals (Germany), Technoport (Luxembourg), Meso Events (Greece) and Barcelona Music Tech Hub (Spain).

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Call for Applications: 6 September– 12 October 2023

Music Innovation Hub, in partnership with Media Deals (DE), Technoport (LU), Meso Events (GR) and Barcelona Music Tech Hub (ES), is launching the new edition of Music Tech Europe Academy, a 7-month acceleration program addressing 10 European music tech startups, and developed in the framework of Music Moves Europe in 2021.

Music Tech Europe Academy aims at developing the ecosystem of music-tech innovators in Europe and creating a level playing field between tech-savvy entrepreneurs, artists, tech companies and the music industry, encouraging cooperative innovation efforts for the future music ecosystem.

The added value of the Consortium that promotes MTE Academy lies in the diversity and uniqueness of the partners, united however in the common goal of strengthening the music tech sector in Europe, facilitating access to funding, supporting technological development in line with needs and interests of market players, and supporting the talents of innovation through a path based on collaboration — as well as maintaining a logic of sustainability and social responsibility.

Over the 7-months period of acceleration, startups will have access to a hybrid and flexible mentorship program with top level experts in music, technology, finance and entrepreneurship, IRL meetups and networking opportunities during industry events, investment pitch sessions, and a vibrant community of digital innovators and music professionals.

MTE Academy kick-off meeting will take place during the 9th edition of Linecheck Music Meeting and Festival, where the selected startups will have the unique opportunity to participate in the festival’s events, engage in networking opportunities, and take part in panels, workshops and showcases focused on the music and music-tech industries. This immersive experience will allow them to connect with international industry professionals, gain valuable insights, and showcase their own innovative contributions to different music stakeholders.

MTE Academy is addressed to European startups and SMEs (already established as companies) as well as non-formal initiatives and projects (pre-company stage), but with a defined Proof of Concept, who adopts innovative technologies to provide business and artistic solutions for the music sector.

The Call for Applications opens today September 6th and the applications deadline is 12 October 2023. Applications procedure, info and full program available at musictecheuropeacademy.eu

MTE Academy is co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of The European Union and it is coordinated by Music Innovation Hub (Italy), in partnership with Media Deals (Germany), Technoport (Luxemburg), Meso Events (Greece) and Barcelona Music Tech Hub (Spain).

About M.E.S.O
M.E.S.O (Music Events Coordination Organization) is a non-profit organization engaged in the organization, planning and production of special musical and cultural events. One of its main activities concerns the national coordination of the network of organizers of the European Music Day in Greece and the development of sustainable cultural projects with interregional and transnational collaborations, as well as the organization of business, music activity and networking, Athens Music Week.

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The climax came with the Live Main Stage which presented a diverse and exciting lineup
featuring Babo Koro with their uplifting, traditional-style compositions, The Steams with
their indomitable, electrifying energy, Paidi Trauma with their danceable, emotional
confessions and Turko producer Hey! Douglas with the ecstatic, highly addictive electro-
oriental!

See you next year!

AMW2023 – DAY 3

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Then, two very key conference sessions took place: the delegates of the organizations from
the Balkans and the Mediterranean agreed that the time has come to proceed with valuable
collaborations to strengthen all the stakeholders of the region, while on the ground floor of
Innovathens, high-class speakers discussed the opportunities and threats for the future of
the music industry in the age of AI.

The much-anticipated domestic audience panel, ‘The Big Listen’, returned for the second
year in a row at AMW, with track selections sparking an exciting debate amongst the
speakers as to whether they would play them on their radio shows!

The conference program ended with an important discussion about the ecological footprint
in the movement of the artists for their various needs, while the awesome vibe of the day
lasted until late at night, where a lot of people gathered at the 3 showcase venues for some
amazing live performances, in which bands won many new fans, including key people in the
music industry!

AMW2023 – DAY 3

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The official opening of AMW took place the next day at Technopolis, on the ground floor of
Innovathens, where the artistic directors of the event, Antonis Zouganelis and George Perot,
welcomed the attendees and summarized the themes of this year’s AMW in a humorous
tone. Immediately afterwards, the audience was divided between the panel in Greek on
“Greek radios & podcasts”, where important questions were raised, such as whether the rise
in popularity of podcasts hides behind it the depreciation of playlists radio, and the open
discussion on Purifier about copyright in the era of Artificial Intelligence.

The presence of the great lyricist Lina Nikolakopoulou in the Amphitheater offered emotion
to the attendees. There he met with Paraskevas Karasoulos, where they discussed and
communicated the experience of their meeting this year at the “Athenian Cafe Theatre”,
while the young performers Apostolos Kitsos, Panagiotis Lampouras, Thodoris Nicolaou and
the composer Christos Theodorou on piano, presented a sample of this performance, which
proved that Greek song remains alive and thriving despite the difficulties of our time.

The workshop on the creation and promotion of social media content on Instagram and Tik
Tok was a hit, while the discussion about how music can be a powerful force for attracting
visitors to countries was also of particular interest. At one point the rain made an
appearance, but that didn’t deter the audience who continued to connect with each other
by exchanging ideas.

The first day closed spectacularly with the showcase concerts at Boiler, Crust and Six d.o.g.s
with sounds that moved from experimental pop to psychedelic punk!

AMW2023 – DAY 3

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(Kosmos 93.6), Anna Anastasiou (Best 92.6) and Margarita Mytilineou (Athens 9.84)
will try through an interactive way of listening to co-decide if a song has the
potential to become success or not. Staying on the same frequency, TV presenter
and journalist George Lentzas, music journalist Dimitris Kanellopoulos (EFSYN,
Loaded.gr), radio producer Olga Laskaratou (pod.gr) and actor Thanos Tokakis will
address the identity of podcasts as the new radio and how they can revive or even
replace it.
The question of cultural tourism and how music can be a powerful force for
attracting visitors to cities could not be absent from the program. Among other
distinguished speakers, the General Manager of the Music Cities Networks, Lena
Ingwersen, the founder and Director of the Wide Days international music
convention, Olaf Furniss and the Director of the Athens City Festival, Nikos Barlas,
will convey their perspective and experience.
An integral part of the conference part of the event are the educational workshops,
which this year are presented with more topics, learning opportunities and
opportunities for deepening on key issues of the Music Industry, coordinated by
experienced market experts. Among them, YouTube’s Label Relations Manager,
Katerina Adamopoulou, will unlock the secrets of how best to use YouTube to
promote artists’ work, Jake Beaumont-Nesbitt (IMMF) will explain how the chaos of
digital tools of our time can be an opportunity to build a strong brand image, Yiannis
Papadimitriou (Globe One) will analyze how digital marketing is the best friend of
event organizers and Yiannis Panagiotopoulos (NFT Art Greece & 3iDAO) will present
in real time how we create a musical NFT.
After the end of the conference program, the live concert action begins! From early
in the evening, Athens Music Week pours into the heart of the city and especially on
the stages of Boiler, Crust and Six d.o.g.s, setting up a large, imaginary stage on
which they will present their special musical ideas and sound proposals, 24 separate,
domestic and international names as part of the Showcase concert programme.
The upcoming artist Molyneaux will unfold her experimental pop with references to
the trip-hop and synth/darkwave scene, Bhukhurah will take us on a journey with his
dreamy and psychedelic melodies, the well-known suspects Fundracar will shake us
with their explosive psych-punk reggae mix and the distinguished Irene will immerse
us in her warm R&B universe. Moreover, the fusion nu-jazz of Cypriot band Sonica,
the nostalgic synth-pop of Jimmy Knows, the primordial rhythmic ecstasy of Nandra,
the futuristic, avant-pop of Latvian performer Elizabete Balcus, the cheeky electro-
pop of “Romanian Daft Punk” K not K and the lo-fi, guitar explorations of Half Twin
Brother, will flood the stages of Athens Music Week. 
The festival experience culminates and ends on the Main Stage of Technopolis with
an explosive live show on the first night of summer! AMW presents a diverse and
exciting line-up starring Turkish producer and live performer Hey! Douglas with the
unique blend of elements of psychedelic rock, funk and hip-hop with strong doses of
oriental, sonic tradition in a highly danceable set, Paidi Trauma with its confessional
lyrics in Greek and its poetic, pop-rock sound, Steams with neopsychedelic, guitar

adventures and Babo Koro with the amalgam of traditional rhythms and melodies
with modern progressive rock orchestration and Balkan polyphonies.
Come and experience the present and tomorrow of the Music Industry and discover
a special musical universe!
 
AMW is implemented with the support of the European networks Hub for The
Exchange of Music Innovation (HEMI) and Music Tech Europe Academy (MTEA) co-
funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.

Tickets:
-Day ticket: 10 euros (presale), 15 euros (at the entrance)
Tri. 30 & Wed. May 31: Includes entrance to all Conference events and Showcase
concerts at Boiler, Crust and Six d.o.g.s
Thurs. June 1st: Includes entrance to all Conference events, the Live show at the
Main Stage of the Technopolis Stage and the closing party at Rudu.
-Ticket Live Main Stage: 10 euros (presale), 15 euros (at the entrance)
-Concert Showcase ticket: 5 euros (available only at the entrance to venues)

-Three-day festival & conference ticket: 25 euros (presale), 30 euros (at the
entrance).
Includes entrance to all AMW events throughout the weekend at all
venues.
Presale tickets: www.athensmusicweek.gr/tickets/

The post 4 days, 6 venues, 32 artists and 130 speakers from 29 countries. The uniqueevent in Greece that unites the public with artists and people in the musicindustry is back bigger than ever! See the detailed program! appeared first on Athens Music Week.