Conferences, showcase festivals and industry gatherings are more than moments of visibility. They are often where long-term collaborations begin, shaping connections between artists, bookers, agents and promoters over time.<\/p>
Whether you are a DIY artist or a professional working in the wider live music sector, knowing how to navigate these environments can make the difference between a missed opportunity and a meaningful next step.<\/p>
This roundtable explores how these first encounters actually translate into bookings, touring relationships, new projects and ongoing collaborations. How to approach the right people without forcing it, how to position yourself in a crowded environment, and how to follow up in a way that builds trust and continuity.<\/p>
Bringing together professionals from across the live ecosystem, the discussion focuses on what works in practice, what is often misunderstood, and how small, well-timed steps can lead to long-term presence on the circuit.<\/p>
Moderated by Aggelos Kleitsikas<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Conferences, showcase festivals and industry gatherings are more than moments of visibility. They are often where long-term collaborations begin, shaping connections between artists, bookers, agents and promoters over time. Whether you are a DIY artist or a professional working in the wider live music sector, knowing how to navigate these environments can make the difference […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"event-cat":[86,781],"nationality":[734,681,80,363],"music-genre":[],"destination":[772,809],"topic":[],"language":[79],"class_list":["post-30230","event","type-event","status-publish","hentry","event-cat-conference-el","event-cat-roundtable-el","nationality-belgium-el","nationality-cyprus-el","nationality-greece-el","nationality-netherlands-el","destination-amphitheater-small-el","destination-goethe-auditorium","language-english-el"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"","ams_acf":[{"key":"date","label":"Date","value":""},{"key":"launch_time","label":"Launch Time","value":"13:45"},{"key":"end_time","label":"End Time","value":"15:15"},{"key":"hero_image","label":"Hero Image","value":30109},{"key":"performers","label":"Performers","value":[{"ID":18358,"post_author":"2128","post_date":"2023-05-15 20:34:23","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-15 17:34:23","post_content":"\n
Aggelos Kleitsikas grew up in Athens, in an environment where music was not merely a soundtrack but a way of thinking. Since 2015, he has been actively involved as a music and culture journalist, with his work published in leading Greek media outlets such as Avopolis.gr, LIFO, SONIK, and Rolling Stone Greece. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alongside this, he has built a strong professional background in marketing, PR, and strategic communication, collaborating with major international brands. In recent years, he has also worked on a wide range of cultural projects as part of the team at Technopolis City of Athens. This experience has allowed him to creatively bridge the cultural and corporate worlds, translating vision into narrative and content into strategy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Artistic Director of Athens Jazz, the country\u2019s oldest and largest jazz festival, he envisions further strengthening its international identity, its active support of the local jazz community, and its contemporary artistic direction. Creating meaningful musical experiences, fostering the sustainable growth of cultural institutions, and connecting audiences, artists, and ideas lie at the core of his philosophy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","post_title":"Aggelos Kleitsikas (GR)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"aggelos-kleitsikas-gr","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-04-08 15:59:05","post_modified_gmt":"2026-04-08 12:59:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.athensmusicweek.gr\/?post_type=speaker&p=18358","menu_order":0,"post_type":"speaker","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":29458,"post_author":"2133","post_date":"2026-03-04 14:39:25","post_date_gmt":"2026-03-04 11:39:25","post_content":"\n
Mye_Taai is an interdisciplinary artist team whose work traverses electronic sound, performance, and visual art. Known for a distinctive blend of rhythmic experimentation and poetic abstraction, Mye_Taai explores the emotional residue of modern life \u2014 where displacement, technology, and identity blur into a shared language of sound. Each release acts as both a personal reflection and a social mirror, combining intimacy with defiance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"A punk vibe drenched in electronics, incredibly nimble fingers on the controls, and a singer who conjures something new from his vocal arsenal with every line, almost seeming to speak sign language with his hand movements\u2026\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Mye_Taai artist team operates in the electronic and club space, drawing from rave, punk, and DIY 'Baggy\" tape culture, with a high-energy live set designed for clubs, festivals, and forward-thinking environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is Mye_Taai, we do it and things differently.
A movement, a moment, a one-off.
Print the legend.
The \u201cRave Club For Two\u201d cathedral must be built. . . . build and look forward.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"Mike Eelkema (NL)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"mike-eelkema-nl","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-04-22 00:14:16","post_modified_gmt":"2026-04-21 21:14:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.athensmusicweek.gr\/speakers\/mike-eelkema-nl\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"speaker","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":20689,"post_author":"2133","post_date":"2024-04-09 10:04:03","post_date_gmt":"2024-04-09 07:04:03","post_content":"\n
Lefteris Moumtzis is a musician, songwriter, and producer with a career spanning over 25 years. Known for his acclaimed solo and band recordings, Moumtzis has made significant contributions both as a composer\/performer and as a producer. In 2016, he released his first solo album Now Happiness, followed by Beaming Light in February 2019 under the moniker Freedom Candlemaker, marking a new chapter while his highly anticipated album, Ageless, was released in early 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moumtzis has composed music for numerous theatre and dance productions, films, and documentaries, showcasing his versatility. He is the founder and artistic director of The Open Nest Company. He has co-founded Louvana Records, and served as Artistic Director for Fengaros Festival, Fengaros Music Village and Louvana Records from 2009 to 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since 2012, he has been a dedicated workshop conductor and mentor, guiding emerging musicians and artists. He also produces for a variety of up-and-coming talents. He has collaborated with notable artists such as Fotis Siotas, Michalis Siganides, Alkinoos Ioannides, Michalis Tterlikkas & Nama Dama cementing his reputation as a key figure in the Greek and Cypriot music scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Website:<\/strong> <\/strong>www.moumtzis.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","post_title":"Lefteris Moumtzis (CY)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lefteris-moumtzis-cy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-04-15 20:21:48","post_modified_gmt":"2026-04-15 17:21:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.athensmusicweek.gr\/?post_type=speaker&p=20689","menu_order":0,"post_type":"speaker","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":29805,"post_author":"2128","post_date":"2026-03-16 18:55:24","post_date_gmt":"2026-03-16 15:55:24","post_content":"\n Alex Stevens is a festival programmer, creative director, and music tech entrepreneur based in Belgium. <\/p>\n","post_title":"Alexandre Stevens (BE)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"alexande-stevens-be","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-05-01 19:31:42","post_modified_gmt":"2026-05-01 16:31:42","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.athensmusicweek.gr\/?post_type=speaker&p=29805","menu_order":0,"post_type":"speaker","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":29874,"post_author":"2133","post_date":"2026-03-19 14:19:31","post_date_gmt":"2026-03-19 11:19:31","post_content":"\n Robert Meijerink, is Head of European Bookings at ESNS, Eurosonic Noorderslag, the European conference & showcase platform in Groningen, the Netherlands taking place every year in January. Robert is also involved with projects such as European Talent Exchange, MME Awards, Music Dialogues and is Founder and President of Federation of Music Conferences. Last but not least, he is a huge music lover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ESNS is the key exchange and network platform for European Music and the one and only showcase event in Europe, focused on emerging acts from Europe. ESNS attracts over 4000 delegates, including more than 400 international festivals and venues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During four nights around 300 acts present themselves to an international audience of professionals, media and music lovers. By the day, the Conference takes place featuring around 150 panels focussing in innovation, gender, AI, sustainability, music industry related topics, live music, publishing with keynote speakers, interviews, networking, workshops, dinners, pitches and meetings on the latest developments in music and media.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Robert Meijerink (NL)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"robert-meijerink-nl","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-04-09 11:20:32","post_modified_gmt":"2026-04-09 08:20:32","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.athensmusicweek.gr\/?post_type=speaker&p=29874","menu_order":0,"post_type":"speaker","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":25821,"post_author":"2128","post_date":"2025-03-20 13:50:48","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-20 10:50:48","post_content":"\n Kristiyana is an ambitious organisational force. She is currently a project manager at ANMIP-BG, Bulgaria\u2019s leading organisation supporting independent music publishers and producers, and a Coordinator at a local label - Twelves. Previously a volunteering enthusiast, she transitioned from working on local educational and environmental campaigns to organising international film and jazz festivals that created a new cultural zone in the city. She now plays a key role in advocating for fair representation, fostering industry growth and developing initiatives that empower local artists. She is passionate about contributing to Bulgaria\u2019s cultural development, with a focus on creating impactful change in the music and creative sectors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","post_title":"Kristiyana Georgieva (BG)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"kristiyana-georgieva-bg","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-05-05 11:42:07","post_modified_gmt":"2026-05-05 08:42:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.athensmusicweek.gr\/?post_type=speaker&p=25821","menu_order":0,"post_type":"speaker","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":17885,"post_author":"2133","post_date":"2023-05-10 08:53:47","post_date_gmt":"2023-05-10 05:53:47","post_content":"\n Involved for two decades in different fields and positions of the Music ecosystem (Co-Founder of Kosmos Radio 93.6, e-Terra Records and Van Dog Events), Georges has produced dozens of special events (for TV shows, Music Awards, Olympic Games) and has participated in numerous European Music Projects (HEMI Music Innovation Hub<\/a>, JUMP- European Music Market Accelerator, European Live Music Association).<\/p>\n\n\n\n He is the Founder of the \u201cEuropean Music Day\u201d organizers network, the Founder and Artistic Director of the Athens Music Week, the co-founder of Music Tech Europe Association<\/a> and an Executive Board member of the Federation of Music Conferences<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With over 20 years of experience in live music curation including nearly two decades as Artistic Director at Dour Festival, where he co-programmed some 3,000 concerts. Alex has become one of Europe's most respected voices in festival curation. He currently serves as Creative Director and Head of Music at IKII, where he books artists for major festivals including Marsatac (Marseille), Sakifo, and Francofolies de la R\u00e9union.
Parallel to his curatorial work, Alex founded Live Intelligence Labs, a tech venture studio building the data infrastructure for the live music industry. Its flagship products include Bookr.fm, a festival programming SaaS platform used by 56+ European festivals, and Predikt.live, a decision intelligence tool that turns booking intuition into quantifiable risk scoring.
He holds an MSc in Computer Science from the University of Li\u00e8ge, and sits at the rare intersection of deep curatorial expertise and technical fluency. His current focus: encoding 20 years of programming knowledge into scalable AI-powered tools for the live industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n