NOLA MusiCon 2026 Schedule
AI Is Sampling: What Music Licensing Can Teach Tech
Generative AI may feel new, but many of the rights questions at the center of today’s debate are familiar to anyone who has worked with sample clearances. This session explores what AI companies and rightsholders alike can learn from the way the music industry turned sampling from a legal gray area into a licensed creative economy. The conversation will look at consent, compensation, attribution, training data, rightsholder trust, and why licensing should be treated as infrastructure for innovation rather than a barrier to new creative tools.
From Second Lines to Screens: Making New Orleans Music Sync-Ready
New Orleans is one of the most musically identifiable cities in the world. Its sound is a cultural language, a tourism engine, a storytelling asset, and an under-leveraged export product. But for many artists, labels, publishers, estates, and community catalogs, the music is not always prepared for how modern sync licensing actually works. This session will explore how cities with strong sonic identities can make their music easier to discover, clear, license, and monetize across film, television, advertising, sports, games, trailers, branded content, and digital media. Using New Orleans as the central case study, the discussion will cover the practical steps that help local music move from cultural asset to export-ready catalog, including stronger metadata, clearer master and publishing ownership, searchable catalog organization, pre-cleared licensing terms, rate guidance, and better storytelling around songs, artists, scenes, and traditions. The session will also examine how sync readiness can support cultural preservation. When historically significant regional music is properly organized, credited, licensed, and tracked, it can reach new audiences and new revenue channels without stripping away its authenticity. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of what sync buyers need, what rightsholders should prepare before pitching music, and how cities with strong sonic identities can build more sustainable pathways from local culture to global media.
Lunch Break
Food Truck of the Day: Wolf’s Burgers
What is The Mechanical Licensing Collective?
If you write songs and release music, The MLC may play an important role in how you get paid. Learn what The Mechanical Licensing Collective does, how digital mechanical royalties work, and what songwriters need to know to make sure their music is properly registered and they’re getting the royalties they’re owed.
What Goes Around Comes Around: How Artists and Heirs Can Reclaim Music Rights
In New Orleans, music often carries both cultural and family value that is intrinsically tied to legacy and the potential for generational wealth. Termination rights give artists and their heirs the ability to reclaim control of songs and recordings that carry this weight, but the process is time-sensitive, often misunderstood, and deeply tied to contracts, catalog value, and estate planning. This panel will break down what termination rights are, why they matter now, and how creators, families, managers, and catalog owners can begin planning before key windows open or close. The conversation will explore how reclaimed rights can affect publishing income, sync licensing, brand opportunities, documentaries, catalog deals, and the ability to protect how music is used.
Give the Drummer Some
A good drummer keeps the beat. A great drummer can change the whole band. So what makes the difference? From feel, pocket, chemistry, and instinct, the drummer is the backbone that holds it all together. It’s about time, literally. This session of world class players breaks down the breakdown.
The Festival is the Easy Part
Festivals may only last a few days, but pulling one off takes months of planning, coordination, and problem solving. Go behind the scenes with the people who make festivals happen and get a better understanding of what’s happening on the other side of the stage.
The Business of Being Independent, Presented by A2IM
What does it really take to build and sustain an independent record label today? From discovering and developing artists to navigating distribution, streaming, marketing, and the evolving economics of music, independent muic companies are finding new ways to compete, innovate, and create lasting careers. The conversation will explore what independence looks like in today’s music business, how labels are adapting to a rapidly changing marketplace, and the strategies, partnerships, and creative choices that can help independent labels thrive.
Spotlight Conversation with La Reezy
La Reezy’s story is rooted in New Orleans, but his rise is quickly reaching far beyond it. In conversation with UnitedMasters’ Charles “C3” Augustus III, La Reezy will talk about finding his voice, turning lived experience into music, and building a career without losing the identity that shaped him. From early co-signs to the release of Skiddle Bandana, he’ll reflect on the choices, growth, and perspective that have shaped his journey as one of the South’s most exciting young artists.
From Application to Action: Building the New Orleans UNESCO City of Music
New Orleans has long been known around the world for its music, but its designation as a UNESCO City of Music brings new opportunities—and new responsibilities. Learn what the designation means for the city, its artists, and the broader music community, and how New Orleans can use it to support cultural preservation, economic development, international collaboration, and the next generation of musicians.
Building a Career on Your Own Terms
There’s no single path to a successful music career, and what works for one artist may not work for another. Building a career means figuring out where you want to go, recognizing the right opportunities, and knowing when to take chances or change direction. This conversation brings together different perspectives on navigating the music business, building an audience, and staying true to your creative vision while making a living doing what you love. Along the way, we’ll hear some of the lessons learned, challenges faced, and how the definition of success can change over time.
Lunch Break
Food Truck of the Day: Wolf’s Burgers
Planning Your Next Release
Releasing new music is easier than ever, but getting people to hear it is another story. What does a successful release strategy look like in 2027? Hear from artists and industry professionals as they share their experiences, discuss what’s changing, and offer practical advice on planning and releasing new music.
The Music Industry's AI Problem Isn't AI
AI is everywhere in music conversations, but most music businesses and creators are still wrestling with more basic problems. Chief among them, they cannot always see, explain, or trust the data that determines how songs are identified, licensed, reported, and paid. Generic AI hype can make these problems worse. Instead, the focus should be on the practical infrastructure that has to exist before new technology can create real value. This session will explore that infrastructure as it stands today, examining why publishing and royalty data remains fragmented; how that fragmentation affects artists, songwriters, publishers, managers, and rights teams; and why better transparency is now central to both artist empowerment and business growth. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the questions they should be asking about their catalogs, the warning signs that rights or royalty data may be creating hidden risk, and the practical steps music companies can take before investing in AI tools or artist-facing reporting systems.
Beyond Halftime: The Hidden Power of Music in Sports
Music and sports have always gone hand in hand, but the opportunities for artists go far beyond the halftime show. From pregame and in-game entertainment to fan events and other experiences surrounding the game, live music plays a big role in creating the energy fans remember. Learn how music fits into the sports world, where the opportunities are, and how artists can position themselves to land more of these gigs.
Authenticity, Ownership, and the Impact of AI in Music
As AI technology makes its way further into the music industry, some artists are doubling down on their humanity. For every new innovation and ‘growth hack,’ more artists are speaking out in defense of the creative process, using their unique gifts, perspectives, and stories to connect with audiences on a personal level. Can the two co-exist? Can artists remain true to themselves — and retain ownership of what makes them, them — while leveraging AI to enhance their careers? Our multi-disciplinary panel of artists and creatives is here to explore.
Language, Cultures and Collaborating — What you should know before you do anything outside of your culture: Spanish, Spanglish, English and MORE
Music is a universal language, but what happens when artists start crossing linguistic and cultural boundaries? From Spanish and Spanglish to English and beyond, this panel explores how language choices and cross-cultural collaborations can shape an artist’s identity, storytelling, and connection with fans. We’ll discuss the opportunities and challenges of reaching new audiences while staying true to your roots, and what it takes to build authentic collaborations that respect the cultures behind the music.
SoundExchange 101 Workshop
Whether you’re an artist, rights owner, manager, or label representative, understanding how digital performance royalties work is essential to making sure you’re collecting the money you’ve earned. This session provides a practical overview of SoundExchange, who should register, how royalties are collected and distributed, and the key steps you can take to maximize your earnings. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the digital royalty ecosystem and actionable guidance for getting paid.
Lunch Break
Food Truck of the Day: Wolf’s Burgers
Radio Still Matters
Radio still plays an important role in helping artists get heard and reach new audiences. Hear from DJs and programmers across traditional and digital radio about how they find new music, what gets their attention, and what artists should know about getting their music on the air.
Industry Town Hall
Navigating the modern music industry as an independent artist requires equal parts creativity and strategy. Join Reid Wick, Director, Regional Advocacy & Member Engagement at the Recording Academy, and Industry consultant Ted Cohen for an engaging, town-hall-style session where the audience drives the conversation. Designed specifically for indie creators, this interactive panel tackles the core challenges of building a lasting career. We will explore practical ways to tour efficiently on a budget, leverage AI to streamline and enhance your social media outreach, and map out sustainable revenue models for the long haul. Bring your real-world questions, shared experiences, and ideas—this is your space to connect, learn, and grow alongside fellow artists.
Sync Strategy
Getting your music placed in film, TV, advertising, and other media takes more than just having a great song. This session looks at how sync really works, what makes music stand out, and what artists should know before pitching. Hear from industry professionals about how opportunities come together, what they look for, and how artists can better position their music for placement.
Copyright and Contract Fundamentals for Artists, Writers, and Producers
Performers, Writers, Producers – you create copyrights every time you write a new song, record a new track, or produce a beat. So what are you doing to protect them? This question gets a lot more complicated when you’re working with collaborators. In this talk, we will discuss the fundamentals of copyright law that musicians, songwriters, and producers need to know. We’ll also cover some important concepts about contracts, and dispel some of the fear and concerns that creatives frequently have around using and signing contracts. By the end of the talk, you will have the vocabulary and the concepts you need to hold intelligent conversations with your manager, attorney, label, and business partners about how you want to manage your copyrights and use your music to earn your place in the industry.
Built to Rise
The music industry has changed—today’s artists are expected to be creators, entrepreneurs, marketers, and business owners all at once. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to reach the next level, this interactive workshop will help you identify the biggest opportunity in your career, uncover what’s holding you back, and create a focused action plan for sustainable growth. Participants will leave with practical tools, a personalized career assessment, and a clear roadmap for their next 90 days. The music industry has never offered artists more opportunity—or demanded more from them. Today’s independent musicians are expected to be creators, entrepreneurs, marketers, and business owners, often without a roadmap. In this interactive workshop, Brittany Mondrinos, founder of Lunascend and creator of the Built to Rise™ Artist Development Program, will guide artists through a practical framework for evaluating their careers and identifying what to focus on next. Through a guided career assessment and hands-on planning exercises, participants will uncover the biggest gaps in their artistic and business development, define their priorities, and create a personalized 90-day action plan. Whether you’re an emerging artist building your foundation or an established musician looking to break through to the next level, you’ll leave with greater clarity, practical tools, and a strategy for building a sustainable creative career.
Lunch Break
Food Truck of the Day: Wolf’s Burgers
Tax and Finance Basics for Musicians
Join us for a 45-minute workshop designed specifically for musicians looking to take control of their finances. We’ll cover tax essentials, common deductions, budgeting tips, and how to stay organized year-round. Whether you’re gigging part-time or running a full-time music business, this session will help you get financially in tune.
Building Your Marketing Toolbox: Essential Skills for the Modern Music Industry
The tools and tactics for promoting music have transformed dramatically in recent years, but the fundamentals of effective marketing remain constant. In this hands-on workshop, Hunter Scott, founder of TREND PR and college instructor for over 15 years, walks attendees through the essential skills every music professional needs in their arsenal today. From securing meaningful press coverage and building relationships with playlist curators, to creating social media content that actually cuts through the noise, participants will leave with a practical framework they can apply immediately. Hunter also shares how AI tools can streamline these efforts without replacing the human touch that makes campaigns resonate. Drawing on nearly 20 years of experience promoting artists ranging from Mitski and KARMIN to emerging independents, he shares what’s working right now for artists and labels at every level, along with real-world case studies that illustrate the difference between campaigns that connect and those that get lost in the scroll. This isn’t theory; you’ll leave with real-world actions you can start doing that very day.
Musicians and Managing Finance
Musicians need to treat their art, craft, and talent as a business. How to manage finances and set yourself up for success.
The Copyright Landscape: Exploring Current Issues That Will Determine Our Industry’s Future
This panel will take a timely look at current issues impacting copyright protection for music creators. The panelists will dive into issues such as copyright termination and the local case that is driving global industry news, the new proceedings of the Copyright Royalty Board and how it will affect songwriter royalties for years to come, and the Copyright Office’s new interest in music streaming fraud and the efforts underway to protect our creators and their fans.
Ask a Manager
Have questions about artist management? Here’s your chance to ask! Join us for an open Q&A with artist managers Courtney Oertel with Righteous Babe Records, and Tavia Osbey with MidCitizen Entertainment.
Lunch Break
Food Truck of the Day: Panchita’s
Creole Culture to the World: A Conversation About Creole Preservation in the Arts, presented by The Recording Academy
Join us for a conversation about language, legacy, and the responsibility of telling your own story – in your own voice. The artists on this session will explore music as an archive, holding memory and identity in ways that outlast any single generation, and about the weight artists carry when they pull that history into new work: how to innovate without erasing, and how to make sure Creole and Cajun culture reaches the world on its own terms.
The Path to Placement
What makes a music supervisor stop and listen—and what makes them move on? This session will offer a behind-the-scenes look at how music gets chosen for film, television, and other media, and the creative and practical decisions that shape that process. Attendees will also get a better understanding of what makes a pitch stand out and how to approach supervisors in a way that’s helpful, professional, and more likely to get heard.
Music PR 101: Understanding Publicity in Today's Music Industry
In an ever-evolving music industry, understanding how to effectively promote yourself, your music, and your brand is more important than ever. This panel offers an introduction to the fundamentals of music public relations, exploring how artists, managers, and music professionals can use publicity to build visibility, connect with audiences, and create lasting industry relationships. From crafting compelling press releases and securing media coverage to developing strategic campaigns and navigating today’s digital media landscape, attendees will gain practical insights into how music PR works, when to seek professional representation, and how to make the most of publicity opportunities at every stage of their careers.
Lunch Break
Food Truck of the Day: Panchita’s
Marketing & Brand Partnerships That Work
Best practices for creative & out-of-the-box marketing to fund your next project, crafting pitchable tracks and jingles, and not only maintaining artistic integrity with brands but strategically working with a local or national brand.
Between the Gig and the Grant: Artists, Philanthropy, and the Work of Culture
New Orleans music is treated as a public good, a tourism engine, a cultural inheritance, a charitable cause, and an industry, depending on who is talking and who is getting paid. This session will examine what happens when artistic and cultural work is increasingly routed through nonprofit structures, philanthropic funding, and project-based support instead of stronger labor protections, ownership models, fair contracts, collective bargaining, and industry infrastructure. Philanthropy can support important artistic work, but it cannot replace the power and protections that organized labor, fair pay, ownership, and shared economic infrastructure can provide. Drawing on fundraising practice, arts administration, music education, professional performance, nonprofit leadership, and current research into the history of musicians’ labor organizing in New Orleans, this panel will ask a direct question: what does the nonprofitization of culture solve, and what does it quietly leave untouched? The conversation will bring together leaders who understand New Orleans music from different but connected angles: working musicianship, youth music education, arts education, nonprofit fundraising, cultural economy research, and the lived realities of building institutions around artistic labor. Panelists will explore how charitable framing shapes the way artists are paid, how cultural labor is valued, and how New Orleans continues to market music as a defining economic asset while many working musicians and culture bearers are excluded from the full benefits of that economy. The goal is not to dismiss philanthropy. Grants can fund projects, build capacity, and support important work. But grants alone cannot create a just cultural economy. This session will push attendees to think more honestly about what artists, music organizations, funders, and industry leaders need to build beyond one-off funding opportunities. Key themes or takeaways: New Orleans music is not only culture. It is labor, business, education, and economic infrastructure. Philanthropy can support artistic work, but it cannot replace labor protections, ownership, fair pay, or organized power. Nonprofit structures can create access to funding while also reinforcing the idea that arts and culture are charitable work rather than industry work. Artists and culture bearers need more than project grants. They need infrastructure that supports long-term economic participation. Music education organizations play a critical role in preserving cultural knowledge and creating pathways for young people, but they also sit inside the same funding systems and economic tensions. Funders, nonprofits, and industry leaders need to understand the difference between supporting culture and extracting value from it. Attendees will leave with clearer language for discussing artistic labor, philanthropic funding, cultural economy, and the limits of grants as a solution.
It Takes a Village
New Orleans has always produced incredible talent, but that doesn’t happen on its own. We’ll take a look at the people and programs helping young musicians find their path, where support is still needed, and how music education can better prepare students for a future in the industry.
Lunch Break
Food Truck of the Day: Panchita’s
Ask The Pharmacist
Whether you’re performing, rehearsing, traveling, or just keeping up with a busy schedule, taking care of your health matters. Stop by for a free, personalized health check-in with a pharmacist. Get answers to your questions about medications, learn how nutrition can support your overall health, and take advantage of a free BMI screening. Bring your questions, your medications, or just yourself! Presented in partnership with AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana, the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic, and Xavier University of Louisiana.
Funding Your Music Business: Choosing the Right Support for Your Creative Passion
Money is one of the most confusing parts of building a music career, and most artists navigate it without a roadmap. Join Austin Breckenridge, Executive Director of The A&R Foundation, for a practical breakdown of the funding options available to independent artists. Whether you’re trying to record your next project, hit the road, or grow your business, the right capital can change what’s possible. The session covers the full spectrum, from traditional lenders like banks, credit unions, and CDFIs, to music specific options like label advances, royalty based financing, grants, sponsorships, and crowdfunding. You’ll learn how each option works, what it costs, what it requires, and how to decide which path makes sense for where you are in your music career. No finance background required! Just bring your questions.
You Can Just Build It: DIY Sites and Tools with AI
Artist site, EPK, release tracker, booking pipeline, fan signup page. You can now build things yourself that used to require hiring a developer or paying for a monthly subscription that at best, only did most of what you want. In this hands-on workshop, Diego walks through real tools built for music careers using Lovable, an AI app builder, and then helps you build your own. No coding experience needed, and you own what you make. Bring a laptop and an idea (or a curious mind), and leave with a working link. Attendees get free Lovable credits to build during and after the session.
Culture as a Catalyst for Innovation, presented by METRONOME
What happens when entrepreneurs bring technology into industries built on creativity, community, and cultural identity? Founders from the METRONOME culture-tech accelerator share how they’re tackling challenges across the cultural economy, identifying opportunities for innovation, and navigating the balance between building scalable businesses and serving the people and communities at the heart of culture.
Music in Peril, AI in the Arts
Join us for a diverse conversation about the state of the arts(music) in the AI world. Is this new technology simply a tool or will it destroy and take over creativity?
Lunch Break
Food Truck of the Day: Panchita
The St. Aug Effect
For generations, St. Augustine High School has helped shape some of New Orleans’ most accomplished musicians. Hear from St. Aug alumni to explore the training, discipline, mentorship, brotherhood, and musical tradition that have made the school such an important part of the city’s music story—and how that legacy continues to influence new generations.
What Does Artist Management Look Like in 2027? Leadership Beyond the Busywork, presented by MMF-US
As AI and software take on more administrative tasks, what value does an artist manager bring? This panel explores the enduring foundations of management: relationships, strategy, and a relentless focus on great songs and live shows, alongside managers’ growing influence in shaping careers, guiding budgets and navigating deals. Join us for a conversation about translating artistic vision into sustainable careers and building long-term value in an increasingly decentralized, global music industry.
Beat Retreat
New Orleans music has never stood still. Today, young producers and artists are taking the city’s influences in new directions and creating sounds that reflect New Orleans right now. Hear from some of the people behind that music about what’s inspiring them, how the city shapes their work, and what they see coming next.
Music Publishing Explained
What does a music publisher actually do, and when do you need one? This session breaks down the role of a publisher, the different types of publishing deals, and what songwriters should know before signing one. We’ll also cover how publishers help create opportunities for songs and support songwriters as they build their careers.
Built for the Long Haul
A career in music can take a real physical toll. This session looks at how musicians can better care for their bodies, prevent common health problems, and protect their ability to keep performing and working for years to come.
Lunch Break
Food Truck of the Day: Panchita’s
From Club to Stadium-Touring, Booking and Revue for Indie Artists
Actionable strategies for scaling live careers—from DIY local gigs to international festivals and stadium runs. Covers booking tactics, tour planning, revenue streams (tickets, merch, syncs), team-building, budgeting, and tips for sustaining growth while retaining independence.
Carrying the Culture Forward
Louisiana’s culture is one of a kind, shaped by the people and traditions that define it. From New Orleans to Acadiana and across the state, learn about the organizations and individuals working to support Louisiana’s culture bearers and keep these traditions strong for generations to come.
Let's Bounce Together! HIV Outreach Session
Join the New Orleans Health Department’s Ryan White Services & Resources to learn more about HIV awareness, prevention, and testing! Test your knowledge with fun quiz questions, pick up helpful information, and maybe even win a prize or two. Free HIV take-home test kits will also be available for anyone interested.
Lunch Break
Food Truck of the Day: Panchita
How to Keep Going Without Running Yourself Into the Ground
A sustainable career requires more than talent and determination. Hear about realistic strategies for managing demanding schedules, travel, creative work, day jobs, caregiving, and recovery—without treating exhaustion as the price of success.
Mental Health in the Music Industry
Working in the music industry can be rewarding, but it can also bring intense pressure, uncertainty, isolation, rejection, and burnout. We’ll explore the mental health challenges faced by artists and industry professionals, how to recognize when stress is becoming something more serious, and where to turn for support.
Vocal Tune-Up: Voice Care for the Working Musician
You tune your instrument before every set. But do you know how to tune your voice — quickly, safely, and effectively? In the session, New Orleans singer and voice specialist Sarah Quintana provides practical voice-care protocols for the working musician: how the voice works for speech and singing, evidence-based warm-ups, vocal hygiene myths, safe-vocal projection and professional voice care. Singing-voice longevity means knowing how to care for your instrument, and find help if you need it. Bring your questions, your voice.
Read the Signals: Using Data to Grow Your Career
In today’s music industry, artists have access to more data than ever before. But which numbers actually matter, and how can you turn them into meaningful career opportunities? From streaming and social media analytics to ticket sales and audience demographics, this session explores how musicians can use data to understand their fans, grow their audiences, and make smarter career decisions. We’ll uncover which metrics signal real momentum, which can be misleading, and how to collect valuable fan data you actually own. We’ll also go behind the scenes to explore what promoters, talent buyers, agents, and record labels really look for when evaluating emerging artists – and how you can turn those insights into opportunities.
| Topics | Speakers | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Copyright Landscape: Exploring Current Issues That Will Determine Our Industry’s Future |
|
Main Stage | |
| Ask a Manager |
|
Main Stage | |
| Lunch Break | Main Stage | ||
| Creole Culture to the World: A Conversation About Creole Preservation in the Arts, presented by The Recording Academy |
|
Main Stage | |
| (Men)tal Health: A Conversation with Men about Mental Health and the Music Industry, presented by The Recording Academy |
|
Main Stage | |
| The Path to Placement |
|
Vocals/Woodwinds | |
| Music PR 101: Understanding Publicity in Today's Music Industry |
|
Vocals/Woodwinds | |
| Lunch Break | Vocals/Woodwinds | ||
| Marketing & Brand Partnerships That Work |
|
Vocals/Woodwinds | |
| Between the Gig and the Grant: Artists, Philanthropy, and the Work of Culture |
|
Vocals/Woodwinds | |
| Funding Your Music Business: Choosing the Right Support for Your Creative Passion |
|
Upstairs Guitar | |
| You Can Just Build It: DIY Sites and Tools with AI |
|
Upstairs Guitar |
| Topics | Speakers | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Culture as a Catalyst for Innovation, presented by METRONOME |
|
Main Stage | |
| Music in Peril, AI in the Arts |
|
Main Stage | |
| Lunch Break | Main Stage | ||
| The St. Aug Effect |
|
Main Stage | |
| What Does Artist Management Look Like in 2027? Leadership Beyond the Busywork, presented by MMF-US |
|
Main Stage | |
| Beat Retreat |
|
Main Stage | |
| Music Publishing Explained |
|
Vocals/Woodwinds | |
| Built for the Long Haul |
|
Vocals/Woodwinds | |
| Lunch Break | Vocals/Woodwinds | ||
| From Club to Stadium-Touring, Booking and Revue for Indie Artists |
|
Vocals/Woodwinds | |
| Carrying the Culture Forward |
|
Vocals/Woodwinds | |
| Let's Bounce Together! HIV Outreach Session | Louis Prima | ||
| Lunch Break | Louis Prima | ||
| How to Keep Going Without Running Yourself Into the Ground |
|
Louis Prima | |
| Mental Health in the Music Industry |
|
Louis Prima | |
| Vocal Tune-Up: Voice Care for the Working Musician |
|
Louis Prima | |
| Read the Signals: Using Data to Grow Your Career |
|
Upstairs Guitar |