Small and medium venues provide an important infrastructure for music culture in the city. They organize space and atmospheres for artists to play live, create community around music, and are also particularly important as an experimental ground for upcoming artists. We zoom into the Kiez of Berlin Wedding/Gesundbrunnen, and bring together people who run such spaces here and present each week concerts, listening sessions, DJ sets and performances on a regular basis. They all have different ways of organizing, some are collectively run, and they all have different approaches, strategies and communities – however all connected by enthusiasm to support and sustain music culture and provide space to develop and to play for artists, in self-organized and independent ways.

What does it take to run such crucial infrastructure for music culture in the city and neighbourhood these days? We look forward for an exchange of different approaches. And, importantly, also invite musicians into the conversation to discuss and think together what is needed at this time, and share ideas for how to sustain music culture and support upcoming artists in particular. What does it take to sustain a vibrant music culture and space for artistic development, expression and exchange? What are we struggling with and how can we address it? How do we want to organize ourselves together as music scenes at this moment in time, that comes with political, economic and environmental challenges? And maybe also, what is the relevance of music culture as a contribution and component of a wider cultural, social and political engagement in the neighbourhood?

We plan to start with a panel conversation and then have a participatory part, where we can all be in conversation together in small groups. We can then all keep chatting and exchanging over music and drinks. The conversation is of relevance for the neighbourhood in Wedding and for all smaller venues, collectives, promoters and musicians throughout the city and beyond.

Speakers:
Laden2 is a non-profit cultural venue and a community-run space for people to come together. Here, people from all over the world have the opportunity to present their books, recite their poems, discuss ideas that bring our society together, screen inspiring films or perform their music.
Max Graef is a musician from Berlin and co-founder of Laden2. He has been based in Berlin since 2013 and works internationally in the cultural events sector.

migas – Deep experiences of music and conversations can coexist at migas thanks to a great sound system and mindful acoustic design. Come celebrate every moment with a vast and careful selection of tunes, our own vermouth and the most delicious olives we could find.

José Manuel Jiménez Moreno: I serve music, vermouth, and olives—and make people’s day a little better.

Richten25

studio db

more venues and DJ to be announced.

Coach: Eva Rölen

Artist, Music Manager, Booker, Event Manager, Founder of GRöli Music, Coach for Booking and Events

Language: English

Freelancing and starting your own business in music and music industry

Let’s calm the anxiety of having to do paper work and take away the fear of the Finanzamt by breaking down the essentials.

In this workshop we’re covering the basics of how to start a business or work as a creative freelancer in Germany.

We will go over the most important steps and terms in German and English for every future solo entrepreneur. We will talk about tax numbers and what to register your business as, the difference between VAT and income tax, defining sexy tongue twisters such as Kleinunternehmer and Umsatzsteuererklärung.

What’s the best way to stay organized? What are the non-obvious tasks I need to consider and how can I outsource tasks I am not able to do?

How’s my time management and how can I learn the best project management skills?

What insurances should I consider and am I eligible for the German social artist insurance grant “KSK”?

We will take some time to answer your individual questions after going over the following topics:

•  Ready, steady, go: Baseline to start your business

• most important terms in self-employment in Germany around taxes, VAT, legal form

• what company structure registration suits your business?

• The process of registration and filing for tax numbers

• book keeping and how to keep it simple

• reporting your taxes

• contracts and invoices

• wearing many hats: Sales, Marketing, Administration, Accounting

• a word on time & project management & mental health

Coach: Susanne Geisler

Komponistin, Songwriterin, Juristin, Kreativcoach für neurodivergente Künstler:innen, Musik für Film und TV, Synästhetische Komponistin

Sprache: Deutsch

Mentale Belastung zeigt sich nicht nur im Kopf, sondern auch im Körper: flacher Atem, Anspannung, Blackout-Gefühle oder das permanente Gefühl, „funktionieren“ zu müssen. Der zweite Artist Circle der Reihe „Stimme im Kopf, Kraft im Körper: Mentale Resilienz für Musiker:innen“ widmet sich deshalb der Verbindung von mentaler Resilienz und körperlicher Regulation.

Mit praxisnahen Übungen zu Atmung, Körperwahrnehmung, Stimme und Präsenz erkunden die Teilnehmer:innen, wie sie in stressigen Situationen wieder in Kontakt mit sich selbst kommen können. Gemeinsam erforschen wir Wege, aus dem Funktionsmodus zurück in Kontakt mit dem eigenen Körper zu kommen und mehr Ruhe, Fokus und Präsenz für Bühne und Alltag zu entwickeln. Inspiriert von Ansätzen aus Selbstregulation und Kreativitätsarbeit entsteht ein Raum, der weniger auf Leistung und mehr auf Wahrnehmung, Präsenz und nachhaltige Stabilität fokussiert.

Der Circle versteht sich als ressourcenorientierte „Taschentherapie“ – als niedrigschwellige mentale Unterstützung und Überbrückung der Wartezeit auf einen Therapieplatz, ohne therapeutische Behandlung zu ersetzen.

Coach: Allie Silver

Artist Manager Artist Development Consultant, Festival & Event Producer

Language: English

Intro: Want to promote your project but can’t stand networking and don’t know where to go or how to start? Join Allie Silver, self-proclaimed music conference nerd who has been organizing, speaking, attending and promoting showcases at conferences around the world for over 15 years, for some key tools, strategies and insider tips. Never forget – the best and most important promotion for your project is YOU! Learning how to speak confidently and comfortably about what you do and how to put yourself in the right place at the right time is key. Music conferences are some of the best ways to network and boost your project to the next level. It can be a marathon – but with the right preparation and planning, you can not only survive, but thrive, and have a great time while you are at it too.

Content:

• networking strategies

• conference preparation and follow up

• how to apply and get the most out of a showcase

• how to set achievable goals and expectations for attending music industry events and conferences

• tips and tricks of the trade to get the most out of your experience and have a great time too

Target Group: Any artist or artist professional looking to further their career and boost their networking skills and conference strategies

Outcome: After this workshop you will have the skills and strategies you need to feel more comfortable navigating industry events and conferences, including how to best prepare to get the most out of any industry events you may want to attend.

rescheduled date

Expert: Niklas Mündemann

Saxophonist, Instrumental Educator, Freelance Musician, Music Educator, Album Releases, Concert Tours in Europe, Network Builder, Music Market Consultant, Founder of psst!, Music Marketing Agency, Founder of Klimper Klang – Musik Inklusiv e.V.

The workshop is aimed at all musicians who are taking the next step towards a professional career and are currently working on a release or have recently released music. Together, we’ll explore how to strategically plan a release and what matters most. We’ll develop a sample step-by-step marketing plan and cover key topics such as securing funding and finding a label, as well as collaborating with booking and PR agencies.

The workshop will equip you with the necessary know-how for a successful and professional release of your music. You’ll gain a clear overview of the most important dos and don’ts in the music business and valuable insights into essential music marketing strategies.

The content is particularly aimed at musicians who have little experience with release strategies and music marketing so far. But even if you already have some basic knowledge, you can benefit from exciting new insights.