Moderated by Melissa Perales

Music curator, promoter, and cultural worker from Chicago, who has been shaping Berlin’s independent music scene since the 1990s.

The group session „Let´s talk about …“ expands our consulting work into a small-group format that creates space for questions, exchange, and shared learning.

The format is accessible yet structured: it offers guidance while placing strong emphasis on peer-to-peer exchange. The sessions are designed both for artists who are new to Berlin and for music professionals already active in the scene who want to expand their networks, share knowledge, and reflect together on how to build sustainable artistic careers in a rapidly changing cultural landscape.

Rather than one-on-one consulting, the sessions create a shared space where experiences are exchanged, practical questions are discussed, and new connections are formed – with the aim of contributing to a stronger, more sustainable, and more inclusive music scene.

This open session focuses on Berlin’s live music scene: securing gigs, building connections with venues, communication, and the question of how artists can collaborate beyond the isolation of the DIY approach to build stronger collective structures.

Session Structure

1. Check-in & Introduction

Brief round of introductions. Participants share the questions, challenges, or topics they submitted in advance.

2. Focus Session / Exchange 

The session is structured around 2–3 key themes that emerge from participant input and a pre-selected focus topic.

3. Closing & Next Steps 

Summary of key insights, open questions, and possible next steps – such as follow-up consultations, workshops, contacts, or future collaborations.

Format

The core of the session is moderated peer exchange: everyone contributes their own experiences, questions, and perspectives.

It’s not only about finding answers, but also about strengthening connections, encouraging collaboration, and developing a shared understanding of the challenges of working in today’s music ecosystem.

• 90 minutes
• max. 6–8 participants
• moderated by Melissa Perales
• Language: English

Wir freuen uns, unser nächstes Artist Meetup am 22. Juni im Luftschloss / Atze Musiktheater zu veranstalten.

Das Artist Meetup ist ein regelmäßiger Treffpunkt für Musiker*innen in Berlin, um sich szenen- und genreübergreifend kennenzulernen, auszutauschen, neue Kooperationen zu finden und solidarische Strukturen zu entwickeln. Herzstück des Artist Meetups ist eine Bühnenshow mit acht kurzen Beiträgen aus unterschiedlichen musikalischen Richtungen, in denen Musikschaffende Einblicke in ihre aktuellen Arbeiten geben.

Alle auftretenden Künstlerinnen haben ca. 10 Minuten, um zwei Songs oder Tracks live zu performen, mit einfachem Setup. Alternativ könnt ihr auch ein Musikvideo zeigen oder über ein Projekt sprechen. Die Bühne kann sehr gerne genutzt werden, um zu erwähnen, was ihr gerade sucht (vielleicht sitzt eure zukünftige Drummer*in im Publikum), um Feedback zu erfragen oder Ideen zu teilen.

Du willst selbst beim Artist Meetup auftreten, dann bewirb dich jetzt bis zum 31.05.2026 über unseren Bewerbungsbogen hier.

Im Anschluss gibt es bei Drinks und Musik die Gelegenheit, miteinander ins Gespräch zu kommen – sowohl mit den präsentierenden Artists als auch mit allen anderen Teilnehmenden. Ziel ist es, Mitstreiter*innen für Projekte zu finden, Ideen und Kontakte auszutauschen und gemeinsam weiterzukommen statt alleine. Zusätzlich wird es Möglichkeiten geben, auch jenseits der Bühne zu kommunizieren, was ihr gerade sucht oder anbietet.

Wir freuen uns auf einen offenen und lebendigen Austausch – zwischen unterschiedlichen Szenen, Interessen und Erfahrungsstufen.

Das Artist Meetup ist außerdem eine schöne Gelegenheit, eine vielfältige Show zu erleben, neue Musik zu entdecken, Musiker*innen aus verschiedenen Szenen kennenzulernen und mögliche Kollaborationen anzustoßen.

Coach: Laura Dahmen

Karriereplanung,Selbstvermarktung, Social-Media-Strategie und nachhaltigem Markenaufbau

In diesem Workshop dreht sich alles um den Aufbau eines professionellen Teams im Musikbusiness. Er richtet sich an Musiker*innen und Kreative, die besser verstehen möchten, wann Unterstützung durch Management, Booking, PR oder andere Gewerke sinnvoll ist – und wie strategische Entscheidungen rund um das eigene Projekt getroffen werden können.

Der Workshop vermittelt Grundlagen zu Rollenverteilungen, Verantwortlichkeiten und typischen Strukturen in der Branche. Gemeinsam wird erarbeitet, welche Unterstützung in welcher Karrierephase wirklich sinnvoll ist, woran man gute Zusammenarbeit erkennt und warum nicht jede Aufgabe sofort ausgelagert werden muss. Ziel ist ein klarerer Blick auf nachhaltigen Karriereaufbau, realistische Erwartungen und selbstbestimmte Entscheidungen im Musikbusiness.

Expert: Susanne Geisler

Composer, Songwriter, Lawyer, Creative Coach for Neurodivergent Artists, Music for Film and TV, Synesthetic Composer

Short Content

Based on the latest findings on creativity and the experiences of the artistic profession of a songwriter, basic methods are presented to strengthen and sustainably establish a creative mindset, especially for songwriters on the one hand, and to ensure quick access to their own topics and ideas on the other hand.

The Workshop

In a world where we have to position ourselves, unique storytelling is becoming more and more important. But good lyrics take time, a challenge in professional songwriting where songs not only have to be written but also finished within a few hours. Quick access to ideas and lyrics is, therefore a basic requirement for professional songwriting.

But how do I stand out from the market with unique lyrics and ideas? How do I manage to develop a flow in sessions in which I can generate lyrics quickly without them having to lose uniqueness? And what role does my own biography play in this?

Based on the latest findings on creativity and psychology and the experiences from the artistic profession of a songwriter, basic methods will be presented to strengthen and sustainably establish a creative mindset, especially for songwriters on the one hand, and to ensure quick access to one’s own topics and ideas on the other. The workshop aims to equip participants with an awareness of different creative techniques to help them find unique themes and song lyrics.

Expert: Flora Lingenauber

Her areas of focus include strategic artist development, positioning and brand strategy, financing and partnerships, as well as artistic self-leadership and decision-making

This two-part workshop is for you if you have a multifaceted practice, an established presence, an audience, and a clear artistic direction, but feel too dependent on external structures to generate income.

Is that you: You are visible, working across multiple projects and roles, shaping ideas, communities, or cultural spaces. And yet, a large part of what you do still depends on platforms, institutions, or opportunities that don’t fully align with your vision. The work is there, but the structure behind it doesn’t fully hold it.

In the first workshop, you will expand your existing artist brand into a more strategic positioning. The focus is on translating your multifaceted practice into a clear external perception that attracts next-level opportunities, collaborations, and platforms that match the direction and impact of your work.

The second workshop builds on this foundation and focuses on income. You will reframe how you currently earn, where you are dependent, and what keeps your income tied to external structures. The session opens up new ways of thinking about income, value, and independence, and helps you develop new approaches to earning and decision-making in your work.

The workshop series combines strategic input with interactive exercises and systemic coaching methods. It is designed for you if you want to move from visibility to real leverage in how you work and earn.

Part 1: Expanding Your Artist Brand

09. June, 2 – 6 pm

Position your multifaceted work for the next level of opportunities

Part 2: Beyond Gatekeepers

16. June, 2 – 6 pm

Build more independent and sustainable artist income

This workshop is for you if:

• You are already established, visible, have reach and an audience, and generate income through your work, but want to become more independent from external structures
• You are working across multiple projects, roles or formats and want more clarity and direction in how you communicate all of this through your brand to attract the right opportunities
• You feel that your work has an impact, but this is not yet fully reflected in the opportunities and structures around you

It is NOT for you if:

• You are at the very beginning and still looking to define your artistic direction or positioning
• You are looking for quick fixes, generic formulas or one-size-fits-all advice on how to earn more or grow your audience
• You are not currently open to reflecting on your existing structures, dependencies or decision-making around your work