Music Conference FFWD Celebrates 10 Years with London Event

International Music Conference FFWD (FastForward) returns to London in February for FFWD>>LDN26. There it will celebrate its 10th anniversary by bringing together more than 300 leaders across recorded and live music for knowledge sharing and networking.

Why it matters:

• FFWD has earned an international reputation for its approach to programming, with a focus on delivering actionable insights and strategies that delegates can implement in their work.

• Of the 400-plus speakers across its 10 years, 55% have been “non-male thought leaders,” with one in six from a global majority background.

• It offers a platform for industry to learn from artists, and for artists to voice their challenges, concerns, hopes and demands for better conditions.

• Previous speakers include Nile Rodgers (Chic), MNEK, Gus Unger-Hamilton (Alt-J), Gabriella Cilmi, Jeremy Pritchard (Everything Everything), Newton Faulkner and more.

• Past events have been held in Sydney, London, Amsterdam and Leeds, attracting delegates from over 25 countries.

10th birthday:

• FFWD>>LDN26 will take place at Hackney Church.

• The anniversary lineup will include event alumni as co-hosts to lead panels and keynote conversations alongside founder Chris Carey.

• Confirmed co-hosts include:

• Mark Davyd, Music Venue Trust

• Sammy Andrews, CEO Deviate Digital

• Thando Zulu, artist manager and programmer

• Amy Oldham, former Koko and Dice director

• James Fleury, marketing strategist and WYTS founder

• Charlie Deakin-Davies (Charlieeeee), artist, writer and producer

• Rowan Brand, artist manager

• FFWD>>LDN26 will focus on the big issues that will transform the next three years of the music industry, fixing discovery, funding (and safeguarding) artist development, the value of a local live scene, and more.

• The first round of speakers and content will be announced shortly.

What they said:

• Chris Carey, FFWD Founder: “It feels like 10 years has flown by! Looking back, I’m very proud of the people and ideas we have platformed and the long lasting connections we have facilitated. While locations, durations and the team have evolved over time I'm pleased three fundamental pillars remain at its heart: an unrelenting focus on content, community, and creators. We've seen artists find managers, labels find staff, startups find co-founders, companies find investors, friendships formed and artists playing the Rugby World Cup on the back of connections made at FastForward.”