Why you should attend Skiddle’s panels at Brighton Music Conference 2026

This year’s Brighton Music Conference gets underway in less than a week, promising another packed programme of talks, workshops and networking opportunities, while bringing together some of the biggest voices in electronic music.

As part of the conference, Skiddle will host two panels tackling some of the most important conversations currently shaping the industry – from strengthening regional music communities to finding bold new ways to connect with audiences in an increasingly crowded landscape.

Whether you’re a promoter, artist, manager or venue operator, these sessions are designed to offer practical insight and forward-thinking ideas you can actually use.

Here’s what to expect from our BMC26 panels.

Supercharging electronic scenes: Supporting growing regions across the UK

When: 10 am on Friday 22nd May
Where: Theatre 4 – The Industry Stage at Quarters

Electronic music has never been more widespread across the UK. But while scenes continue to emerge in new towns and cities, opportunities and resources don’t always follow at the same pace.

That’s exactly what this panel aims to explore.

Supercharging electronic scenes will bring together industry voices to discuss how emerging regional communities can be better supported through mentorship schemes, workshops, bursaries and free tools designed to help promoters and artists grow sustainably.

The conversation will also tackle some of the biggest pressures currently facing grassroots scenes, including regional inequality, rising operational costs and increasing artist booking fees – issues many independent promoters know all too well.

Joining the discussion will be:

• Ben Price, Grants & Programmes Manager at PRS for Music
• Laurie Oliva, Director of Services at Help Musicians
• Hannah Deeble, Senior Officer at Arts Council England
• Finlay Johnson, CEO at AFEM (Association for Electronic Music)

Together, the panel will explore how organisations across the music sector are working to strengthen local scenes outside traditional city hotspots, while creating more opportunities for emerging talent and independent promoters across the UK.

If you’re building a community, launching events in a growing region or trying to navigate the realities of grassroots promotion in 2026, this session promises plenty of valuable insight.

Creativity with guts: Bold ideas powering the future of electronic music

When: 12 pm on Friday 22nd May
Where: Theatre 4 – The Industry Stage at Quarters

Announcing a lineup and hoping for the best doesn’t quite cut it anymore.

Audiences are more selective, attention spans are shorter and competition for ticket sales is fiercer than ever. Which means the brands and events breaking through are often the ones willing to think differently.

Creativity with guts dives into the bold strategies that are helping electronic music brands grow engaged audiences and create longer-lasting connections with fans.

From building dedicated online communities to using owned channels like WhatsApp for direct communication, this panel will explore how promoters are moving away from relying solely on algorithms and paid ads in favour of more meaningful audience relationships.

The discussion will also cover the impact of carefully curated lineups, co-promotion and collaborative marketing.

Joining the panel will be:

• Stuart Knight, DJ/artist and co-founder of Toolroom Records
• Pete Jordan, Promoter at LWE (London Warehouse Events)
• Jerome Prud’Homme, Managing Director at Volks Club Brighton
• Savssounds, DJ/artist and founder of ALTVERSE
• Carly Sharman, Account Manager at Skiddle

Bringing together perspectives from internationally recognised brands, grassroots venues and artist-led communities, the session will offer a well-rounded look at the ideas currently helping electronic music events stand out in a saturated market.

For promoters looking to sharpen their marketing strategy, future-proof their events or simply create stronger audience connections, expect plenty of practical takeaways.

Why these conversations matter now

Electronic music is evolving rapidly.

Grassroots scenes are fighting for visibility. Promoters are navigating rising costs and changing audience behaviour. At the same time, fan communities are becoming more valuable than ever, especially as traditional social reach continues to fluctuate.

Both of Skiddle’s BMC26 panels tap directly into these shifts, offering insight into how the industry is adapting and where opportunities are emerging next.

More than anything, they’re conversations rooted in community, creativity and sustainability – three things the electronic music sector will need more of moving forward.

Join Skiddle at BMC26

Alongside the panels themselves, Brighton Music Conference remains one of the best opportunities in the calendar to connect with artists, promoters, labels, agencies and brands from across the electronic music industry.

If you’re heading to BMC26, make sure to add both Skiddle sessions to your schedule.