EVENT SCHEDULE

An overview of the current landscape of the music industry and what vital discussions will be covered at todays event and why.

This event has been curated and organised by ARU students in partnership with Cambridge City Council and Absolute AVS to discuss the vital issues facing the music and supporting industries.

A discussion on the impact of vertical integration in ticketing and the wider impact of this monopolisation on venues, artists and the workforce.

How is legislation changing and how will it impact the touring circuit?

How can independent festivals best be supported?

And how can audience retention be nurtured for a sustainable future?​

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PANEL: Tristan Latchford, Becky Burrell, Mark Pickering, Dan Parry

One of Suffolk's finest rising folk stars - a solo guitarist playing dramatic and intricate woven tales reflecting deep and resonating emotions with just Dan and his co-star. The guitar.​

Dan was recently featured on BBC introducing and is set to release his new EP this summer.

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When radio support and other trusted discovery platforms are reduced, what practical routes still work for emerging artists to be heard, and how do you build momentum without burning out?

Constant Follower, who had a UK top 20 album in 2025 discusses how emerging artists can grow visibility when traditional discovery routes are weaker, and outlines practical ways to build audience through owned channels, community and local venues, alternative media, and trusted third party endorsements.

Genre-bending "Dark Cabaret Rock" quartet formed in 2021, known for mixing circus-inspired rhythms with dark vocals, piano, and heavy, nu-metal-reminiscent instrumentation.

 

An opportunity to network and explore the conference exhibits including employers. Shape your future and get involved!

ARU accreditors (Joint Audio & Media Support) discuss how AI is reshaping how music is made, heard and valued. Three voices from across the industry, Phil Bodger (JAMES), Matt Houghton (Sound On Sound), and Tony Orchudesch (Torchlight Music) discuss what artificial intelligence actually means for musicians, the industry, and the music we love.

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PANEL: Phil Bodger, Matt Houghton, Tony Orchudesch

Music and supporting industries have proven to have highly transferable skills with a growing demand outside of traditional roles in music.

A discussion about where opportunities are in converging sectors such as stage,  film, gaming, broadcast, podcast and other consumable media.

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PANEL: Stu Hanna, Tim Senna, Tom MacPherson, Mark Pickering

Stu is one half of the brilliant folk duo, MEGSON. 

Four times nominated in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and double winners of the Spiral Earth Awards Megson, aka Stu & Debbie Hanna, draw heavily on their Teesside heritage to create a truly unique brand of folk music.

​Exploring how artists navigate fame, creativity, and the pressures of the music industry, revealing the human stories behind their success and struggles. Over time, it highlights the evolution of the industry—from traditional record labels to digital streaming—showing how artists continuously adapt to changing technology and audience expectations.

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PANEL: DJ Shadow Child, Rob Coles, Moleface, Hayley Kennedy, and Jordan Hetherington.

Irreverent and talented, Moleface brings CMF 2026 to a close.

Moleface is an artist creating refreshingly raw and punchy alt-pop music. He's not from Earth, but from a tiny asteroid called B-612, and his mission is to share his music with the world and be accepted by humans.