EMC drops first speaker lineup for ‘The Future Of Yesterday’-themed edition, takes Aussie-first approach for EMCPLAY

Electronic Music Conference will make a triumphant return to Sydney in 2018, this time setting up shop in a new home for Wednesday, November 14 and Thursday, November 15.

This year’s theme is ‘The Future Of Yesterday’.

EMC’s executive producer Jane Slingo tells TMN: “At a time when as an industry we are more future-focused than ever before with constant disruption, tech developments, big data and analytics, AI, VR, blockchain and more, EMC’s 2018 theme reflects the reality that despite our future focus, we are always looking back to the traditional business models of the past.

“[Looking back, we can] learn from the shortfalls and errors, and to work towards a brighter future in the music business which offers a fairer playing field for all involved; be they music creators or music businesses.

“Musically – especially in electronic music which has a DNA embedded in sample-based culture – we are forever referencing past sounds and past genres; reworking, remixing and refurnishing nostalgic sounds of yesteryear in a contemporary take for today.

“EMC’s ‘The Future Of Yesterday’ theme will also pay homage to some of the most golden years in electronic and dance music from the last three decades – 1988; 1998; 2008.”

Speakers

Boasting a wealth of knowledge and experience from the national and international electronic industries, EMC’s first round of speakers includes workers from all walks of life; artists, presenters, managers, bigwigs, journalists, and more.

“Our first speaker lineup compliments the theme beautifully – the almighty Sasha who has forever been an incredible pioneer in electronic music over so many decades and continues to be today as an ever-evolving and forever prolific artist,” says Slingo.

Hear from one of the world’s most prolific electronic artists and Grammy nominee, SASHA.

A four-time International Dance Music Award winner, four-time DJ Mag Award winner, and a plethora of world tours and sold out label showcases under his belt, SASHA – aka Alexander Coe – has been working on his Last Night On Earth imprint since 2011 – a home for fresh talent.

Hear his intimate In Conversation with SASHA in the 2018 Keynote Theatre.

Another unmissable Keynote is from the ineffable Gilles Peterson, who is a radio presenter on BBC 6Music, presents a syndicated weekly radio show and has his own online digital radio station, Worldwide FM.

His yearly events include the Worldwide Awards in London and the Worldwide Festival, which recently expanded to include two editions – one in the South of France in July, and one in Switzerland in March. This will be his first EMC appearance since 2015.

Peterson will team up with influential UK dance scene staple Greg Wilson for In Conversation: The Psychology of DJing.

Other speakers include first-time guest speakers BLOND:ISH (Canada); legendary Aussie artist managers John Watson (ELEVEN) and Leanne de Souza (Association of Artist Managers); DJ Magazine’s Charlotte Lucy Cijffers and over 100 more yet to be announced.

EMC have moved to a new home, and a new format

This year’s conference will be kicking off in the Frank Gehry-designed, multi-award winning DrChau Chak Wing Building at UTS in Ultimo.

You know, the one that looks like a giant paper bag.

The new venue will include a state-of-the-art auditorium, 360 engagement spaces, and lots of beautifully designed rooms for networking.

The venue change will allow all program activities to happen under the one roof, increasing access for delegates to move seamlessly from one talk to another.

The new Keynote Theatre will be dedicated to back-to-back keynotes over the two days, plus four breakout spaces divided into different focuses – Tech, an Artist and Manager’s Hub, Touring and Events and EMC Studio, which houses EMC’s workshops and master classes focussed on craft development and music creation.

EMCPLAY Goes Green & Gold

This is the component of the conference where the talking stops and the dancing starts (because what good is an electronic conference without a chance to get your freak on?)

This year there’s a distinctly Aussie focus, marking a new direction for EMC’s showcases, parties, club nights, pop-ups and film screenings.

Over both nights of the conference, The Landsdowne will become home to EMCPLAY LIVE, a showcase of Australia’s best new electronic music live acts from 8pm-1am.

EMCPLAY will involve a weekend jam-packed with events across the city from EMC partners including promoters, collectives, agencies, labels and creative crews.

They’d also teamed up with Muzeek who will be the exclusive software partner for EMCPLAY 2018 and will manage all of the events kicking off on Wednesday, November 14 and running through until Sunday, November 18.

Submissions open at 9am on Thursday, August 16 for artists who wish to play the showcase, or promoters, collectives, agencies and labels wishing to host an EMCPLAY event.

You can apply HERE.

Tickets go on sale at 9am on Thursday, August 16.

For more info, head to their website.