Registration for the 2026 Music Industry Summit is open. The Summit is open to anyone (students and professionals). Registration is free for college and high school students at any institution, faculty/staff at any educational institution, and Ohio University alumni. The fee for all other Industry Professionals is $75 for the entire three-day conference. The cost will increase closer to the Summit.
2026 Schedule
April 14-16, 2026
2026 Schedule
2026 Music Industry Summit Schedule
Below you will find a draft schedule for the 2026 Music Industry Summit.
- Most day and early evening programming will take place in the Baker University Center.
- Please take note of the listed locations.
- Sessions that will be available for livestream are noted in the location section as well. Virtual registration is required to access the livestreams.
- Evening events will be held in various locations in Athens.
To attend all daytime and early evening programming, attendees must be registered for the Summit. Some programming may be open to the public and will be indicated on the schedule below. All concerts at Memorial Auditorium are open to anyone and do require a ticket purchase.
Tuesday, April 14
11:05 a.m.-12:00 p.m. • Programming TBA
Location: Baker University Center Theater (2nd Floor) | Livestream
Time TBA • ROAR Records In-Store Performance by Jake Ewald of Slaughter Beach, Dog
Location: Republic of Athens Records
A special in-store performance at Republic of Athens Records with Jake Ewald, co-frontman of beloved Philadelphia emo outfit Modern Baseball and the creative force behind the indie folk project Slaughter Beach, Dog. This event is free and open to both Summit attendees and the general public.
2:30-3:30 p.m. • Programming TBA
Location: Baker University Center Theater (2nd Floor) | Livestream
4:00-5:15 p.m. • The Crane Wives Artist Keynote
Location: Baker University Center Theater (2nd Floor) | Livestream
Building a career in music without a label, a publicist, or a traditional industry playbook takes more than talent—it takes vision, relentless work, and a deep connection to your audience. Since forming in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 2010, The Crane Wives have done exactly that: growing from a grassroots local act into a band with over 100 million streams, a devoted global fanbase, and a sound that has evolved from folk-rooted intimacy to full-throttle indie rock without losing the emotional honesty that made people fall in love with them in the first place. In this featured keynote conversation, the band sits down with New York Times bestselling author and award-winning music journalist Annie Zaleski for a candid discussion about their career journey.
5:30-6:30 p.m. • Programming TBA
Location: VisCom Focus - Schoonover
6:30-7:30 p.m. • MIS Happy Hour, Sponsored by Jackie O's
Location: Jackie O's Brewpub
Join the Music Industry Summit team for a Happy Hour at Jackie O's. Grab a pint of our collaboration brew "Music to My Beers", a hazy IPA. This event is free and open to both Summit attendees and the general public. Light refreshments will be provided.
8:00-10:00 p.m. • The Crane Wives Concert
Location: Memorial Auditorium
The Crane Wives will perform a concert at Memorial Auditorium featuring opening act Morgan Hanner. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and show starts at 8:00 p.m. All attendees are required to purchase a ticket if they wish to attend this concert. You do not have to be registered for the Summit in order to attend the concert.
10:30 p.m.-12:00 a.m. • Programming TBA
Location: Athena Cinema
Wednesday, April 15
9:00 a.m. • Doors Open to the Baker University Center Ballroom (4th Floor)
9:10-9:40 a.m. • Brick City Records Opening Performance: Sydney Layne
Location: Baker University Center Ballroom (4th Floor) | Livestream
Kick off the day with a performance by Sydney Layne! Sydney Layne is a singer-songwriter hailing from Pleasantville, Ohio. An aspiring indie starlet taking inspiration from the artists in the posters on her bedroom walls, Sydney’s songs are a balance of candid storytelling and stripped instrumentation.
9:40-10:35 a.m. • The Soundtrack of Play: Music Licensing in Video Games
Location: Baker University Center Ballroom (4th Floor) | Livestream
Video games have become one of the most dynamic and lucrative frontiers for music licensing—and one of the most complex. From indie titles to global franchises, the process of clearing, placing, and negotiating music for interactive media requires a specialized understanding of rights, relationships, and creative collaboration. This panel brings together leaders in music clearance, label licensing, and supervision to pull back the curtain on how music finds its way into games. Learn what artists, rights holders, and emerging professionals need to know to navigate this growing market. Whether you're on the creative side, the business side, or somewhere in between, this conversation will give you a practical roadmap for working at the intersection of music and interactive entertainment.
Featuring: Deborah Mannis-Gardner, Owner/President of DMG Clearances; Alex Malcolm, Associate Director-Global Sync at Warner Music Group; and Allison Wright Clark, Music Supervisor/Producer/Owner of Reflector Productions. Moderated by Rachel Lafranconi, Sr. Director Creative Sync & Licensing at Kobalt Music.
10:50-11:40 a.m. • Featured Entrepreneur Session: Nabil Ayers
Location: Baker University Center Ballroom (4th Floor) | Livestream
Few figures in the modern music industry embody the intersection of artistry and business quite like Nabil Ayers. As President of Beggars Group US, Ayers has helped steward one of the largest independent groups of record labels in the world, while championing artists at the highest level. In this featured conversation, Ayers sits down with Chris DeVille, Managing Editor of Stereogum, for an in-depth look at his path from musician to music executive, the philosophy behind building artist-first label relationships, and what the future holds for independent music in an industry increasingly shaped by consolidation and streaming economics.
Featuring: Nabil Ayers, President of Beggars Group US, and Chris DeVille, Managing Editor of Stereogum
11:50 a.m.-12:20 p.m. • Mentoring Roundtable Sessions
Location: Baker University Center Ballroom (2nd Floor) - Room 240/242
RSVP required; more details announced soon.
11:55 a.m.-12:40 p.m. • Programming
12:55-1:45 p.m. • Beyond the Degree: Pathways to the Music Industry
Location: Baker University Center Ballroom (4th Floor) | Livestream
There's no single road into the music business and the journeys of working professionals don’t follow a textbook path. This Ohio University alumni panel brings together four graduates who have carved out distinct careers across the industry. Through candid conversation, they'll share how they leveraged their education, built their networks, navigated early-career uncertainty, and found their footing in a competitive field. Whether you're still in school or just starting out, this is a rare opportunity to learn from people who were sitting where you are—and made it work.
Featuring: Jon Chinn, Director of Media Operations at Sony Music Entertainment; Maggie Kaput, Marketing Specialist at The Ryman Auditorium; Harrison Mbemba; Founder of Auxchord; and Ash M. Sheehan, Sr. Director of National Member Engagement at The Recording Academy/GRAMMYS.
2:00-2:50 p.m. • The Business of Live: How the Concert Industry Works
Location: Baker University Center Ballroom (4th Floor) | Livestream
The live music industry is a multi-billion dollar industry, but who’s behind the scenes making it all happen? In this insightful session, panelists will break down the key players in live music—from talent agents and promoters to tour managers and venue operators. This session will provide essential knowledge on the mechanics of the business and actionable steps to get involved. Learn how shows are booked, tours are built, and what it takes to navigate the world of live entertainment.
Featuring: Cindy Barber, Co-Owner of Beachland Ballroom & Tavern and Executive Director of Cleveland Rocks: Past, Present, Future; Rich Corsi, Vice President of Programming, CAPA; Drew Holzapfel, Executive Director of OHIO Performing Arts Series and OHIO Live; Cindy Katzenmeyer, Assistant Director of Programming, Playhouse Square; and Tim Peacock, Artistic Director, Nelsonville Music Festival and Stuart's Opera House.
3:05-4:25 p.m. • Artist Keynote with Blood Orange (Dev Hynes)
Location: Baker University Center Ballroom (4th Floor) | Livestream
Please note: Blood Orange will not be performing at the Music Industry Summit.
Dev Hynes has spent his career moving freely across genres, identities, and art forms, expanding both his artistic vision and legions of fans. Known to the world as Blood Orange, the British-born musician, producer, and composer has built one of the most singular creative visions in contemporary music, crafting genre-fluid albums that draw equally from R&B, hip-hop, post-punk, ambient, and classical traditions while exploring themes of identity, queerness, and race. Hynes is also a prolific collaborator and songwriter behind some of the most celebrated records of the past decade, with credits spanning Solange, Carly Rae Jepsen, FKA twigs, and beyond. In this featured keynote conversation, music journalist and author Marcus J. Moore sits down with Hynes for a wide-ranging dialogue on the creative process, artistic identity, navigating the industry on your own terms, and what it means to build a body of work that defies categorization.
Featuring: Blood Orange (Dev Hynes) and Marcus J. Moore, Author and Music Journalist
4:45-6:00 p.m. • Breakout Sessions
Location: Baker University Center Ballroom (2nd Floor) - Various Rooms
All breakout sessions will have limited capacity and will be available on a first come, first served basis.
6:00-6:30 p.m. • Live Performance
Location: Baker University Center Ballroom (2nd Floor) - Theater
8:00-10:00 p.m. • Official Music Industry Summit Party, Presented by Qobuz
Location: Athens Armory
The Official Music Industry Summit Party, presented by Qobuz, is free and open Summit registrants and the general public. Light refreshments will be provided and a cash bar will be available. Featuring a DJ set by J Rawls.
Thursday, April 16
9:00 a.m. • Doors Open to the Baker Center Ballroom (4th Floor)
9:20-9:50 a.m. • Opening Performance
Location: Baker University Center Ballroom (4th Floor) | Livestream
10:00-10:50 a.m. • Noise Canceling: How Artists Are Breaking Through in the Attention Economy, presented by BMI
Location: Baker University Center Ballroom (4th Floor) | Livestream
In an era of unlimited content and shrinking attention spans, getting your music heard requires strategy beyond talent. This panel brings together leaders from across the music ecosystem to explore what it really takes to cut through the noise and build a genuine fanbase in the attention economy. Panelists will dig into how streaming platforms surface new artists, what signals indicate an artist is resonating with real audiences, and how the relationship between creators and their fans has been transformed by social media, data, and digital culture. Whether you're an emerging artist, a songwriter, or an aspiring industry professional, this conversation will give you a sharper understanding of engaging fans.
Featuring: Brandon Haas, Executive Director, A&R / Business Development – North America, Believe Music Publishing; Talia Kraines,
Editorial Lead, Pop - Spotify; Erika Montes, Artist Advocate & Music Executive; Founder, 77th Wave; and Timothy Pattison, Sr. Director of Creative, BMI
11:05 a.m.-11:55 a.m. • Featured Music Supervisors Session
Location: Baker University Center Ballroom (4th Floor) | Livestream
Music supervisors are among the most powerful and least visible creative forces in film and television, yielding many of the unforgettable moments of the films and shows we love. This session features two of the best supervisors of the moment: Frankie Pine, the Emmy and Grammy nominated supervisor behind Daisy Jones & The Six, Magic Mike, Nashville, and the Ocean's trilogy, and Thomas Golubić, the four-time Emmy nominated supervisor whose work on Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and Pluribus. The two join moderator Alex Malcolm of Warner Music Group for a candid dialogue on the craft and business of music supervision. From how they find the perfect song to how they navigate licensing, composer relationships, and the evolving role of music in storytelling, this is a rare opportunity to hear two masters of the form think out loud about the work they love.
Featuring: Thomas Golubić, Music Supervisor at SuperMusicVision and Frankie Pine, CEO of Whirly Girl Music, Inc. Moderated by Alex Malcolm, Associate Director-Global Sync at Warner Music Group.
12:05-12:40 p.m. • Mentoring Roundtable Sessions
Location: Baker University Center Ballroom (2nd Floor) - Room 240/242
RSVP required; more details announced soon.
12:05-12:45 p.m. • Programming
1:00-1:55 p.m. • Featured Artist Manager Session: The Story of Caamp
Location: Baker University Center Ballroom (4th Floor) | Livestream
Behind every successful artist is someone working relentlessly behind the scenes to make it happen. This featured conversation takes an in-depth look at the art and business of artist management through the lens of one of indie music's most compelling success stories. Adam Sensenbrenner of Mick Management guided Caamp—a band that started playing open mics and coffee shops right here in Athens, Ohio—from self-releasing a debut album to selling out amphitheaters and arenas. In conversation with Jay Gilbert, creator of the widely followed Your Morning Coffee newsletter and podcast, Sensenbrenner will unpack the decisions, strategies, and relationships that turned a grassroots streaming moment into a sustainable career. This is a behind-the-scenes look at what artist management looks like from the ground up.
Featuring: Adam Sensenbrenner, Manager at Mick Management and Jay Gilbert, Consultant and Creator of Your Morning Coffee Newsletter & Podcast
2:10-3:05 p.m. • Better Call the Music Supervisor: The Music of Breaking Bad
Location: Baker University Center Ballroom (4th Floor) | Livestream
Few television series have used music as deliberately and devastatingly as Breaking Bad. The music soundtrack punctuated some of the most iconic moments in prestige TV history and became integral to the storytelling of the series. In this special deep-dive session, four-time Emmy nominated music supervisor Thomas Golubić, the architect behind Breaking Bad's unforgettable sound, walks attendees through the creative process behind the show's most pivotal music placements. How were songs chosen? How did music shape character and consequence? And what does it take to find the right piece of music for a scene that will be watched and rewatched for generations? Part masterclass, part behind-the-scenes story, this is a rare look inside one of the most celebrated uses of music in television history.
Featuring: Thomas Golubić, Music Supervisor at SuperMusicVision
3:20-4:35 p.m. • Closing Artist Keynote: Lucius
Location: Baker University Center Ballroom (4th Floor) | Livestream
Grammy-nominated indie pop band Lucius is built around the extraordinary vocal partnership of Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig. They have spent nearly two decades creating music that defies easy categorization, moving from folk-inflected indie pop to glittering synth-driven anthems while building one of the most devoted fanbases in contemporary music. Along the way, they have become two of the most sought-after collaborators in the business, lending their voices to recordings with Harry Styles, Joni Mitchell, Brandi Carlile, The National, Roger Waters, and Mumford and Sons, among many others. In this closing keynote conversation, Wolfe and Laessig sit down with Bob Boilen, the legendary creator of NPR's All Songs Considered and the Tiny Desk Concert series. This will be a wide-ranging dialogue on the creative life: what it takes to sustain a band, build a body of work, collaborate across the industry, and stay true to an artistic vision over the long haul.
Featuring: Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig of Lucius in conversation with Bob Boilen, Creator of NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts and All Songs Considered
4:55-6:10 p.m. • Breakout Sessions
Location: Baker University Center Ballroom (2nd Floor) - Various Rooms
All breakout sessions will have limited capacity and will be available on a first come, first served basis.
6:15-7:45 p.m. • MIS Happy Hour + Jam Session, Presented by StewMac
Location: StewMac
StewMac will open the doors to their historic building for a special Happy Hour + Jam Session for before the Lucius Closing Night Concert. Specialty drinks, beer and wine, and light apps will be available. A food truck will be available on site for meal purchases. First come, first served event until building capacity has been hit. Attendees must be 18 & up or minors must be accompanied by an adult. Limited parking in StewMac's lot: first come, first served. Free event.
8:00-10:30 p.m. • Closing Night Concert: Lucius
Location: Memorial Auditorium
Following their closing artist keynote, Lucius will perform a full-band concert at Memorial Auditorium. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and show starts at 8:00 p.m. Tickets go on sale Friday, January 30 at 10 a.m. EST. All attendees are required to purchase a ticket if they wish to attend this concert. You do not have to be registered for the Summit in order to attend the concert. Tickets start at $25 and up.
9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. • Official After Party, Presented by WIMI
Location: The Union
Hosted by WIMI, the Official MIS After Party will feature a lineup of local artists: Twerp, Parking, and Girl Cologne.
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The Crane Wives Concert
Tuesday, April 14, 8 p.m.
Memorial AuditoriumFollowing their special keynote conversation, The Crane Wives will perform at Memorial Auditorium, with opening act Morgan Hanner. Tickets start at $25. Summit registration is not required to purchase tickets to the concert. All concert attendees must purchase tickets to attend.
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Lucius Concert
Thursday, April 16, 8 p.m.
Memorial AuditoriumFollowing their closing artist keynote, Lucius will perform a full-band concert at Memorial Auditorium. Tickets start at $25. Summit registration is not required to purchase tickets to the concert. All concert attendees must purchase tickets to attend.