On Point Music Conference lands at The Georgian Theatre, Stockton on Friday 30th January. It’s a full day of conversation, connection and practical advice from people working across the music industry — all aimed at supporting local musicians and music activists as they build their careers and develop their practice.
We’re teaming up with Index Music, Wipe Out Music, BBC Music Introducing North-East and Super Cat PR, who’ve shaped the day’s programme, choosing topics they know will be useful for North‑East artists and bringing in industry guests from across the UK to share their insight.
Entry for the event is FREE, but booking is required:
https://georgiantheatre.co.uk/live-events/on-point-music-conference-2026/
This is how the day is shaping up so far…
9-10am - Registration & Breakfast
10-10:30am - Opening Discussion from Index Music: What does success look like in the music industry?
- Helen Walkinshaw, Sarah Barron & Pippa Morgan explore how artists define success, examining expectation versus reality, practical measures and more personal, wellbeing‑led approaches. The discussion will reflect on how they view others’ success, how they define their own, and how their success is perceived by others, creating space to consider which measures are most relevant to their practice.
10:45-11:30am - Inside BBC Introducing: How it Works - Panel discussion curated by Shakk (BBC Introducing North-East)
- The panel will be discussing BBC Introducing, outlining what the platform does and sharing how North‑East artists can benefit from it.
- Featuring… Kelly Betts (Editor for BBC Music Introducing), William Wolstenholme (BBC Introducing Lancashire & Cumbria), Finn Forster (artist) & Chelsea Wood (Wood Management). Hosted by Shakk (BBC Introducing North-East).
11:45am-12:30pm - Whose (Copy)rights? Your (Copy)rights! - Panel discussion curated by Matthew Baty Wipe Out Music
- For emerging artists, understanding copyright isn’t just admin — it’s the backbone of future income, control and opportunity. This discussion will demystify the key rights in music, covering master rights, publishing, composition, writer‑share splits, producer points and why agreeing these foundations early can prevent problems later.
The panel will outline how these rights apply across TV, film, gaming and other sync opportunities, and how clear ownership and paperwork can determine whether a licence is secured or missed. Whether artists are self‑releasing, collaborating or just starting out, the discussion offers practical knowledge to help them protect their work and make the most of each opportunity.
- Featuring… Matthew Baty (Sync and Licensing, Wipe Out Music), Daisy Rimmer (Sync Rep and Music Supervisor, Skidmore Music) & Bradley Kulisic (Artist Manager, Singing Light Music). Hosted by Jodie Nicholson (artist).
12:30-1:30pm - Free Lunch
1:30-3:30pm - Roundtable Sessions
Meet The… PR, Pluggers & Press - Curated by Matty Aston (Super Cat PR)
- Meet those working on the media side of music — from PR and radio plugging to editing and journalism. This informal roundtable is for artists looking to build their press and radio presence, as well as anyone interested in becoming a writer, editor, PR agent or radio plugger.
- Featuring… Matty Aston (Super Cat PR), Rob Cannell (plugger at Beggars), Beth Heaton (International Project Manager at Secretly), Sarah Jamieson (DIY Magazine managing editor) & Joe Goggins (Freelance Music Journalist)
Meet The… Local Heroes
- Come chat with local individuals and organisations doing good things in music and find out how you can get involved.
- Featuring… Eddie Scott (We Make Culture), Jordan Bell - (Press On Vinyl), Grace Stubbings (We Make Sound), Nicola Coaker (Nrthrn Baby), Rianne Kate (The Glasshouse International Centre For Music), Samantha Knight (Musinc), Sarah Wilson (Tracks), Scott Lewis (EMI North), Shakk (BBC Introducing North-East) & Stephen Gill (Butterfly Effect Records)
And more TBA
3:30pm Onwards - Drinks & Networking
This event is made possible thanks to funding from PRS Foundation via their Talent Development Network
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