LOS
ANGELES (MUSEXPO PR) - Over 600 executives and artists from 24
countries converged in Los Angeles last week (May 1-4) for the
first-ever MUSEXPO, an international forum of music and media. Hosted
by A&R Worldwide and held at the Wyndham Bel Age hotel in West
Hollywood, the four-day event was an unparalleled networking
opportunity for pro-active members of the music biz, featuring
influential figures from record companies, radio, management, booking
agencies, publishing companies, film and new media. "The conference was
a triumph," states Jason Flom, co-Chairman/CEO Atlantic Records
Group/President Lava Records. "I must say that I am truly impressed and
amazed at the job you did in putting it together. Now I know why you
have such a fantastic reputation...because you deserve it!"
MUSEXPO
kicked off with an oft-times contentious keynote panel moderated by
Larry King, who provoked verbal pyrotechnics between artist Dave
Navarro (Jane's Addiction/Red Hot
Chili Peppers) and the heads of Clear
Channel Entertainment, Napster, Universal
Music & Video
Distribution, the Recording Academy and BBC
Radio One. Not unlike the
keynote roundtable, the other informative, up-to-the-minute and fully
interactive panels (which included "Global Talent Booking, Touring
& Festival Promotion," "International Distribution &
Digital/New Media," "Artist Development Via Consumer Media,"
"International Managers Forum," "A&R Worldwide," "Radio
Broadcasters Breaking Bands" and "International
Music Meeting") also
inspired spirited debate, involving not only the respected, experienced
international execs on stage but also a wide variety of audience
members. But that was just the beginning: each day's panels were capped
off by nightly showcases starring some of the most sensational new
music-makers to be found from around the globe.
In an article on
March 6, 2005, Steve Hochman of the Los Angeles Times had projected
that "...the 'stars' of this first Musexpo may be those in the audience
at the shows rather than on stage." And while it's true that the
executive star-power in attendance was impressive, some future musical
stars definitely shone during the three nights of musical showcases at
the Key Club, Roxy and Viper Room. As a result of their performances at
MUSEXPO, sizzling French chanteuse SoShy, up-and-coming UK act Story
One and Australian rockers Shifter have all been offered major label
recording contracts. But that's not all--a number of other artists
(including Jem Cooke, Engerica, Warren Suicide, McQueen, The Resin
Dogs, Breed 77, Del Castillo, Mono Band, Goldenhorse, Silent Gray, The
Hero Factor, Evermore, Countermine, Verra Cruz,
James Carrington, Cass,
Choir Boy and Missy Higgins) have received significant global interest
from radio, record companies, publishers, managers, booking agents and
sponsors, resulting in talks with various domestic and international
entities in regards to opportunities that have arisen as a result of
their showcasing at MUSEXPO.
MUSEXPO was conceived by Sat Bisla,
Steve Smith and Jim McKeon of A&R Worldwide, the influential global
artist discovery/development firm whose staff played a pivotal role in
the early discovery, development and/or exposure of such artists as
Dido,
Missy Higgins and
Keane outside of traditional channels. "We
worked hard to control the size, context and manageability of this
event to ensure that it's beneficial to everybody, without being
overwhelming," notes McKeon, while partner Bisla hopes the real spirit
of the convention continues throughout the year: "Having like-minded
people with vested interests in the future of the music industry come
together is crucial for all of us. I hope that the sense of community
we shared here will flourish, and that we can all continue the dialogue
that was started here."
And although dates for next year's event
have yet to be confirmed, the same question was on the lips of many of
the delegates at the close of the conference: "Where do I sign up for
next year?" Stay tuned for the answer to that question, or log on to
www.musexpo.net and sign up for A&R Worldwide's weekly newsletter.
