The future of the music industry starts here.
In association with our supporters
FastForward returns to London in February 2026 for FFWD:LDN 26 - a music conference celebrating our community in a special 10th anniversary edition at a brand new location.
Taking over Hackney Church for the first time on Tuesday 10 February 2026, we host our largest meet-up to date, bringing together more than 300 leaders from across recorded and live music for a unique knowledge sharing and networking experience.
Historic attendees include
Hosts and Speakers
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![James Ainscough OBE - Chief Executive, Royal Albert Hall]()
James Ainscough OBE
Chief Executive, Royal Albert Hall
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![Kamille - Ivor Novello winning Singer, Songwriter, and Producer. Label and Publishing Company Owner.]()
Kamille
Artist, Writer & Producer.
Co-Founder, Pure Cut -
![James Lightfoot - TikTok, Sound On]()
James Lightfoot
A&R Manager, SoundOn EMEA / TikTok
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![Pol Mitchell]()
Pol Mitchell
Artist Manager, Annie Mac
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![Jamie Tagg Mighty Hoopla]()
Jamie Tagg
Festival Director, Mighty Hoopla
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![Karen Emanuel OBE - Founder & CEO, Key Production Group]()
Karen Emanuel OBE
Founder & CEO, Key Production Group
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![Sammy Andrews - CEO, Deviate Digital]()
Sammy Andrews
CEO, Deviate Digital
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![Karma Bertelsen - Senior Director, Marketing Services (EMEA), FUGA]()
Karma Bertelsen (Host)
Senior Director, Marketing Services (EMEA), FUGA
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![Vaz Pilikian]()
Vaz Pilikian
Founder, No Quarter MGMT
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![Chris Carey - Founder, FFWD Music Conference]()
Chris Carey (Host)
Founder, FFWD
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![]()
Amy Oldham (Host)
CCO, Togather
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![Sophie Kennard - Artist Manager, Chase & Status / Frame Artists]()
Sophie Kennard
Co-Founder & Artist Manager, Frame Artists (Chase & Status)
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![Thando Zulu - Zulu Music, Artist Manager & Music Venue Programmer (Hackney Church)]()
Thando Zulu (Host)
Artist Manager & Programmer, Zulu Music
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![Perdi Higgs - Head of Streaming & Digital Partnerships, Dirty Hit]()
Perdi Higgs
Head of Streaming & Digital Partnerships, Dirty Hit
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![Mark Davyd - Founder, Music Venues Trust]()
Mark Davyd
Founder, Music Venues Trust
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![Lara Baker - Lead - Songwriter & Publishing Partnerships, UK & International, Spotify]()
Lara Baker
Lead - Songwriter & Publishing Partnerships, UK & International, Spotify
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![Julie Weir - Director, Music For Nations (Sony Music)]()
Julie Weir
Director, Music For Nations (Sony Music)
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![Connie Rose - Director of Audience Development, Partisan Records]()
Connie Rose
Director of Audience Development, Partisan Records
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![Rowan Brand Artist Manager Tribe Bear's Den Amber Run Ciaran Lavery]()
Rowan Brand (Host)
Co-Founder & Artist Manager, Tribe
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![Darren Hemmings Motive Unknown]()
Darren Hemmings
Managing Director, Motive Unknown
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![Charlie Deakin Davies (Charlieeeee), Artist, Writer & Producer]()
Charlieeeee
Artist, Writer & Producer
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![James Fleury - Founder, WYTS - Marketing Strategist]()
James Fleury (Host)
Founder, WYTS
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![Joe Vesayaporn]()
Joe Vesayaporn
Sales Director, Music Glue
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![Linda Coogan Byrne - Publicist, Author & Culture Strategist]()
Linda Coogan Byrne
Publicist, Author & Culture Strategist
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![Rosanna Connolly - Founder, Morena Comms]()
Rosanna Connolly
Founder, Morena Comms
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![Will Page - Author, Pivot]()
Will Page
Author, Pivot
Secure your pass now
Standard Rate
125 GBP (+VAT)
Includes full day access, lunch and post- conference drinks
Last Minute
145 GBP (+VAT)
Includes full day access, lunch and post- conference drinks
from 1 Feb 2026
Conference Schedule
(Sessions announced as confirmed, full schedule published in January)
Welcome and Introduction
09:30
INTRODUCTION
The State of Play:
Today's Key Music Trends
09:40 - 10:00
Chris Carey (Host)
FAST 15
Lessons From Annie Mac's
Before Midnight
10:00 - 10:15
Pol Mitchell in conversation with Rosanna Connolly
PANEL
10:15 - 11:00
Marketing: A Return To Old Rules
James Fleury (Host), Darren Hemmings, Sammy Andrews, Kamille
11:00
Coffee
Is The Future Of Live Music Playing Fewer Shows For More Money?
Or Can We Reverse The Trend?
PANEL
11:25 - 12:10
Thando Zulu (Host), Sophie Kennard, Mark Davyd, James Ainscough OBE
FAST 15
12:10 - 12:25
Managing Writers And Producers In A Streaming World
Vaz Pilikian in conversation with Rowan Brand (Host)
KEYNOTE
12:25 - 13:10
Keynote: Entrepreurship, Glass Ceilings, and the future of the industry - with Karen Emanuel OBE
Karen Emanuel, Julie Weir
13:10
Lunch
Including performance from Jerub
KEYNOTE
Fact Check: Two Economists Dissect Industry Trends
14:10 - 14:45
Will Page (Host), Chris Carey (Host)
PANEL
Who Is Developing Talent Today? And How Can We Support Them?
14:45 - 15:30
Amy Oldham (Host), James Lightfoot, Charlie Murdoch, Connie Rose
FAST 15
Spotlighting the Songwriters
15:30 - 15:45
Lara Baker
15:45
Coffee
FAST 15
16:05 - 16:20
Master Of Puppets: Insight From Metallica's Fan Strategy
Joe Vesayaporn
PANEL
16:20 - 17:05
Discovery Feels Broken Right Now. How Can We Save It?
Karma Bertelsen (Host), Jamie Tagg, Perdi Higgs, Linda Coogan Byrne
PANEL
Whole Room Panel: So - What's Next?
17:05 - 18:00
Chris Carey (Host), Charlieeeee, Thando Zulu, Jack Saunders
18:00
Networking & Drinks
Chris Carey
Kamille
Sammy Andrews
James Lightfoot
Sophie Kennard
Mark Davyd
Lara Baker
Rowan Brand
Perdi Higgs
James Ainscough
Charlieeeee
Thando Zulu
Amy Oldham
James Fleury
Chris Carey Kamille Sammy Andrews James Lightfoot Sophie Kennard Mark Davyd Lara Baker Rowan Brand Perdi Higgs James Ainscough Charlieeeee Thando Zulu Amy Oldham James Fleury
Hackney Church
Hackney Church is an 1800 capacity music venue equipped with state-of-the-art d&b audio system, and in recent years has hosted performances by major artists such as Ed Sheeran, Sampha, Biffy Clyro and Joy Crookes, solidifying its reputation as a premier music venue.
As an affiliate of the Music Venue Trust and Independent Venue Week, the church is committed to supporting local talent while attracting world-renowned creators to the impressive Grade II listed building. Beyond its role as a cultural hub, Hackney Church is supporting a vibrant and thriving church community, with a mission to bring hope to the people of East London. All profits from venue hire contribute directly to programs that make a positive impact on the lives of East London residents.
Address
Hackney Church
Lower Clapton Road
London
E5 0PD
By Public Transport
Hackney Central (5 min walk)
Hackney Downs (7 mins)
Frequently Asked Questions
About The Event
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FFWD:LDN 26 is the 10th anniversary edition of the FastForward (FFWD) music industry conference. It’s a one-day event bringing together leaders from across the recorded and live music industries for insight, discussion and networking.
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Tuesday 10 February 2026 at Hackney Church, London. Registration starts at 9am with coffee from Blue Turaco, with the programme starting at 9:30am.
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Speakers include Ivor Novello, BRIT & Grammy award-winning songwriter Kamille, Music Venue Trust CEO Mark Davyd, James Lightfoot from the Artist team at TikTok, Spotify’s Songwriter Partnerships Lead Lara Baker, artist managers Sophie Kennard (Chase & Status), Rowan Brand (Bear's Den), Jack Saunders (Amber Run), Pol Mitchell (Annie Mac), Partisan Record's Artist Development Manager Connie Rose, Deviate Digital's founder/CEO Sammy Andrews, Royal Albert Hall CEO James Ainscough OBE, Zulu Music's Thando Zulu, WYTS founder James Fleury, music economists Will Page and Chris Carey and many more.
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The conference is curated by Chris Carey, founder of FFWD and a leading music industry economist and analyst.
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Panels, interviews and fast-fire sessions exploring current and future issues in the music business, including artist development, discovery, live music, streaming, marketing, economics and industry trends.
Access, Inclusion and Ethics
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The event is fully accessible. Attendees with specific access requirements are encouraged to contact the organisers in advance to ensure ease of access.
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Yes. FFWD actively works toward gender and racial balance on stage and in the room, and creates an inclusive, respectful environment for all attendees.
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Financial inclusion is very important to us. FFWD has historically supported access through discounted or supported tickets where possible. If cost is a barrier, attendees are encouraged to get in touch with the organisers.
Tickets and Attendance
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FFWD is aimed at music industry professionals, including artists, managers, label teams, promoters, agents, publishers, tech companies and service providers.
It is also a good fit for freelancers and founders who are looking to connect with likeminds and potential collaborators.
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Yes. All attendees must have a delegate pass.
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Full-day access to all sessions, lunch, and post-conference networking drinks, in partnership with music industry podcast The Money Trench.
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Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.
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Early-bird and standard ticket tiers are available for a limited time. Prices go up to the Walk Up rate on 1st Feb 2026.
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Ticket purchases are final. Tickets can be transferred in exceptional circumstances.
Networking and Community
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Yes. Networking is a key part of the FFWD experience and the schedule includes networking throughout the day, as well as lunch breaks, coffee breaks and dedicated drinks at the end of the conference.
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FFWD is designed to be welcoming and approachable. Business cards or digital contact details are welcome, and being open to meeting a range of people is encouraged.
Practical Information
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Industry-appropriate, business casual clothing is typical.
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Yes. Lunch and refreshments are included with your delegate pass.
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Expressions of interest are welcome. At the time of writing speaking slots are fully booked, and most of the volunteer team is full too.
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You can contact the FFWD team using the contact form provided on the event website or in your ticket confirmation email.
