This year’s conference sees the return of the Soapbox Sessions, a series of 12-minute TED Talk-style presentations on bitesize topics by innovators, thought leaders and inspiring individuals across the business.
🎸 How Måneskin became a next-generation headliner
Lucia Wade, ITB
While festival organisers have been lamenting a ‘headliner drought’, Måneskin have been busy establishing themselves as a next-generation headliner. Last summer, the quartet topped festivals far and wide, from Germany’s Rock am Ring/im Park to Japan’s Summer Sonic to Belgium’s Rock Werchter. In this session, the band’s agent ITB’s Lucia Wade will share the live strategy behind Måneskin’s upward trajectory.
🎫 Behind Lana Del Rey’s game-changing Fenway Park presale
Rob Sealy, Openstage
The current presale system fails most artists and fans, according to Openstage chief strategy officer Rob Sealy. But in June 2024, Lana Del Rey decided to change the game for her Fenway Park show in Boston. In this session, Sealy explains how the US pop star took control of her presale to reward her most loyal followers, sell out the show in less than an hour and practically eliminate scalping.
🎪 The value of residential music weekenders
Mike Godolphin, Butlins
With over 83 weekenders planned in 2025, Butlins is a leading player in the residential event sector. Festivals such as Mighty Hoopla, Cream Weekender and Ministry of Sound Weekender have taken place at the UK holiday resorts, while artists such as Fatboy Slim, Chaka Khan, Busted, Basement Jaxx and Sophie Ellis Bexter have delivered concerts in the unique setting. In this session, Butlins entertainment director Mike Godolphin discusses the value of residential music weekenders to brands, fans and artists.
🟢 Massive Attack’s Act 1.5 and the future of battery-powered events
Claire O’Neill, A Greener Future
Last year, British band Massive Attack drew a new line in the sand for eco-friendly concerts with their groundbreaking Act 1.5 show in the UK. Held at Clifton Downs in their home city of Bristol, the concert, production and catering were powered entirely by battery and solar power. A Greener Festival hailed the 35,000-capacity concert a ‘new dawn’ for sustainable live music events. In this session, AGF’s Claire O’Neill discusses the seminal event and the future of battery-powered events.
🎗 Connected, yet lonelier than ever: The Life is Live campaign’s wake-up call
Ana Marković, EXIT Festival
Digital addiction is having an increasing impact on mental health among younger generations, as highlighted by EXIT Festival’s Life is Live campaign. As digital connections drive us further apart, social media pressure, constant online validation, and screen dependency are fuelling anxiety, loneliness, and social isolation. This conversation invites you to reflect on the hidden costs of our digital habits.
🫶 The stage for change: Elevating equity & inclusion in live music
Saskhia Menendez, Innovator
Saskhia Menendez, a leading voice for diversity and inclusion in the music industry, discusses the next steps for breaking down barriers, championing diversity and fostering inclusion.
The Soapbox Sessions take place between 11:15 – 12:00 and 16:00 – 16:45 and full detail of each session are on our website.
