- Event Reviews
Our Day One Recap of Brighton Music Conference 2025
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By Dale Grogan
- 27 May 2025
- 8 min read
Last week, we attended the opening day of Brighton Music Conference (BMC) 2025, an annual gathering that brings together key figures from across the electronic music industry as well as budding artists and event organisers. As the official sponsor of this year’s instalment and being the UK’s leading independent ticketing platform for live events and club culture, we were excited to hear directly from the people shaping the future of music, marketing, and mental health in our scene.
Continue reading to hear about what we saw and the learnings we took away from a packed and thought-provoking first day.
PR & Marketing: Stories, Shares, and Credibility
The day kicked off with a panel on emerging marketing trends, hosted by Toni Tambourine of Tambo PR.
One key takeaway was that credibility is king. Emilie Birks (Beatport) explained how their brand rebuilt trust by focusing on artist-first storytelling and strong brand values. Sunita Dhaliwal (The Everyday Agency) echoed this by stressing the importance of stories – not just selling tickets, but sharing your why.
Radio was still championed by Jake Price (Dispersion PR), who reminded us of its ongoing impact, especially for older audiences. Meanwhile, Martin Kandja (NOAB) reminded organisers that quality content isn’t free and must be considered a key part of your marketing investment.
Skiddle takeaway: Today’s audience cares less about likes and more about meaningful engagement. Prioritise content that encourages shares, saves, and comments.
The Power of No: Protecting Artists’ Wellbeing
In one of the most honest and impactful panels of the day, a group of industry professionals tackled the theme of burnout, boundaries, and empowerment.
Tour manager Amanda Barker shared a powerful story about leaving a toxic tour and being rewarded with a new opportunity just days later. DJ Jess Bays also opened up about the toll of relentless gigging – once playing nine shows in three days – and how saying “no” became a vital part of preserving her career.
Skiddle takeaway: Booking decisions impact more than your event’s success; they impact lives. Prioritising welfare in scheduling isn’t just ethical, it’s essential for artist longevity.
Mental Health MOT: Creating Safer Spaces
We were proud to co-sponsor the Mental Health MOT session alongside Music Minds Matter, taking place at Theatre One at the Harbour Hotel, also sponsored by Skiddle over the course of the three-day event. Hosted by therapist Helen Whittaker, it was a confidential, compassionate space focused on tools for self-care, stress management, and recognising burnout triggers.
Attendees received take-home booklets filled with techniques, such as grounding exercises and daily check-in routines. One powerful message: practice coping tools while you’re well, so they feel second nature when you need them most.
Skiddle takeaway: Creating space for mental health is non-negotiable. Whether you’re an organiser, artist, or crew member, it’s okay to ask for help and it’s vital to normalise it.
Legacy & Innovation with 808 State
Dance music legend Graham Massey of 808 State shared his musical journey in a keynote conversation with DJ Mag’s Carl Loben. From the band’s early DIY experiments to collaborations with Björk, his stories reminded us of the importance of creative freedom and fearless exploration.
His comment that “it was really liberating to play bad music” was a refreshing reminder that experimentation often leads to the most groundbreaking sounds.
Skiddle takeaway: Legacy acts still inspire, and their experimental spirit should be nurtured in today’s scene.
Where Are the Party Starters? Supporting the Next Generation
The final panel we attended tackled one of the industry’s biggest challenges – how to nurture new promoters. Speakers from LWE, The Future Is Sound, and Dykes on Decks all highlighted how difficult it is for working-class and underrepresented individuals to break through.
The answer? Community and collaboration. We heard how grassroots collectives are using their networks to build inclusive spaces, often without big budgets. There was a strong call to action: established promoters must open doors, not guard them.
Skiddle takeaway: The future of events lies in the hands of Gen Z and grassroots communities. Skiddle is committed to supporting new organisers and lowering barriers to entry.
Our Final Thoughts
Brighton Music Conference 2025 opened with a strong message: the industry is evolving, and it needs to. From embracing authenticity in marketing, to addressing burnout, to creating more space for young, diverse promoters, the opening day was full of honest reflection and hope for a more inclusive, connected future.
We’re proud to have been part of the conversation, and we’re more committed than ever to helping organisers succeed, not just with ticketing tools and tech, but by fostering a culture of care, community, and creativity.
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Image credit: Brighton Music Conference / Facebook.com
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