9 Music Industry Conferences to Know About in Early 2026

Whether you’re an artist building something from the ground up or you work behind the scenes in independent music, being in the room still matters. Not every opportunity happens online, and not every connection is made in DMs. Conferences remain one of the few places where artists, managers, buyers, tech builders, and decision-makers actually cross paths in real time.

The first two months of 2026 are stacked with industry events worth paying attention to. Some lean heavily into tech. Others are built around live music, touring, data, or rights. All of them offer real access if you know how to move through the space.

Here are nine conferences coming up early this year that independent artists and music professionals should have on their radar. Let’s take a look.

CES 2026

January 6–9, 2026 — Las Vegas, Nevada

CES isn’t a music conference in the traditional sense, but its impact on the music ecosystem is impossible to ignore. This is where the future of technology gets previewed before it trickles into creative industries. AI, immersive experiences, hardware, smart audio, and platform innovation all show up here first.

For artists and music professionals working at the intersection of tech and creativity, CES is about understanding where the tools are headed before they become standard. Expect heavy conversation around artificial intelligence, consumer devices, and how technology continues to reshape creation, distribution, and fan engagement.

ESNS Conference & Festival

January 14–17, 2026 — Groningen, Netherlands

Eurosonic Noorderslag is one of the most important discovery platforms for emerging European artists, but the conference side is just as valuable. By day, ESNS runs panels, workshops, and discussions focused on touring, sustainability, artist development, funding, and the realities of working across borders. By night, the city fills with showcases.

For anyone looking to understand the European music market or build international connections, ESNS remains one of the most efficient places to do it.

NAMM 2026

January 20–24, 2026 — Anaheim, California

NAMM brings together the global music products and technology world in one massive space. Instruments, software, audio gear, education, live demos, and networking all collide here. While it’s traditionally associated with gear, NAMM has expanded into broader conversations around music creation, careers, and sustainability.

For independent artists, producers, and engineers, NAMM is about exposure to tools, meeting manufacturers directly, and seeing how music technology is evolving in real time.

INTIX 2026

January 26–29, 2026 — Las Vegas, Nevada

INTIX is where the ticketing side of live music takes center stage. The conference focuses on ticketing operations, fan experience, access control, and evolving technology across venues and events. If you work in live music logistics, venue operations, or touring infrastructure, this is one of the most specialized gatherings on the calendar.

Understanding how tickets move, how fans behave, and how access is managed has become critical in today’s live landscape.

MIDEM 2026

February 4–7, 2026 — Cannes, France

MIDEM has been part of the global music industry conversation for decades, and it continues to adapt as the business changes. The conference brings together artists, labels, tech companies, startups, and executives to talk about where music is headed next.

Panels and showcases focus on innovation, rights, immersive formats, AI, and cross-industry collaboration. MIDEM is less about hype and more about a global perspective, making it valuable for professionals who are thinking beyond one market.

FestForums 2026

February 11–13, 2026 — Santa Barbara, California

FestForums is built specifically for festival producers and organizers. It’s a business-focused event that dives into operations, safety, sustainability, marketing, technology, and audience experience. The conversations here are practical, not theoretical.

If you work in festivals, live events, or cultural programming, FestForums offers insight into how large-scale events are actually run behind the scenes.

The ASCAP Experience

February 12, 2026 — Los Angeles, California

The ASCAP Experience is a one-day event centered on songwriters and composers. Workshops, panels, live feedback sessions, and performances are designed to help creators sharpen their craft while better understanding the business side of songwriting.

For writers navigating publishing, royalties, and career longevity, this event keeps the focus on creators rather than metrics.

Measure of Music

February 20–22, 2026 — Virtual

Measure of Music is a fully virtual conference focused on data and analytics in the music industry. Over multiple days, attendees learn how data platforms are used for audience insights, marketing decisions, artist management, and strategy.

This event is especially relevant for managers, marketers, and artists who want to understand how numbers shape decisions without losing sight of the creative side.

International Live Music Conference

February 24–27, 2026 — London, United Kingdom

ILMC is one of the most influential gatherings in the global live music industry. Promoters, agents, managers, and festival operators from around the world meet to discuss touring, sustainability, logistics, and the business realities of live entertainment. If live music is your lane, ILMC offers perspective on how touring and festivals are evolving internationally.

The early months of 2026 offer no shortage of rooms to be in. Not every conference is right for everyone, but showing up to the right ones can change how you see the industry and how the industry sees you.

Choose carefully. Move intentionally. And don’t underestimate the value of being present when the conversations happen