Attending a Sonically Live event was an unforgettable experience. The energy in the room was electric as artists and industry professionals gathered to share insights, showcase music, and engage in meaningful discussions. From the live performances to the panelists’ expert feedback, it was clear that Sonically Live fosters a space where emerging talent can thrive. The seamless blend of creativity, networking, and valuable advice made it a truly unique opportunity for both artists and industry veterans alike. In this article, we’ll delve into the story behind Sonically Live, explore what goes into curating such a powerful, community-driven event, and find out what’s in store for future events.
What is Sonically Live?
Sonically Live is a unique initiative designed to inspire and support independent artists, brought to life by the esteemed Soho Sonic Studios. The series features intimate panel discussions where emerging songwriters present their unreleased works to industry veterans for personalised feedback and guidance. This dynamic platform fosters meaningful connections among creative professionals, empowering rising talent and bridging the gap between new voices and the established music world. Through collaboration and mentorship, Sonically Live underscores a commitment to nurturing artistry and innovation in music.
Soho Sonic: A Legacy of Excellence in Music Production
Soho Sonic, spearheaded by celebrated producers OJ & Fridel, is an award-winning music production collective renowned for its versatile team of producers, engineers, songwriters, and composers. With over 15 years of expertise, the studio has crafted the Artist Development Programme, a forward-thinking initiative to help independent artists build strong portfolios and seamlessly integrate into a thriving music community. This program reflects Soho Sonic’s commitment to fostering sustainable creativity while equipping emerging talent with the tools and guidance needed for success in the evolving music industry.
The Birth of Sonically Live: Bridging the Gap for Emerging Artists
Through their work in artist development, Soho Sonic identified a critical need to better support emerging talents, inspiring the creation of Sonically Live. This innovative platform offers artists the opportunity to present their work to seasoned industry professionals while gaining expert feedback on every aspect of the music business. From songwriting and production to marketing, sync, and label or publishing services, Sonically Live provides a comprehensive space for artists to grow, learn, and connect with the industry leaders who can help propel their careers forward.
Soho Sonic’s mission is to empower independent artists by providing them with the tools, mentorship, and industry connections necessary to succeed in the ever-changing music industry. Through its Artist Development Programme and the flagship initiative, Sonically Live, Soho Sonic is dedicated to nurturing creativity, supporting professional growth, and fostering collaboration between emerging talent and influential music executives. By bridging the gap between artistry and industry, they aim to help independent musicians thrive and achieve their full potential.
The event planning is all about creating a fun and approachable experience. The team carefully selects panelists and makes sure they understand the event’s vibe. They create eye-catching promotional materials and work with tech partners to make sure everything runs smoothly, from the filming to the sound. The focus is on making the event enjoyable and memorable for everyone involved, from the panelists to the audience.
A Platform for Industry Insights and Feedback
Recognising the growing demand for democratised access to the music industry, Soho Sonic created Sonically Live as a trailblazing platform to connect grassroots musicians with influential executives. While other events aim to bridge similar gaps, none integrate with a production team of this caliber. Sonically Live stands out by offering personalised, accessible networking opportunities and authentic industry insights. Feedback from previous events underscores its effectiveness, cementing its role as a pivotal resource for emerging artists navigating an often challenging industry landscape.
Sonically Live offers an engaging, collaborative experience, starting with a relaxed pre-event dinner for panelists to connect. The evening kicks off with a live performance or artist spotlight, followed by a songwriting discussion where panelists give feedback on unreleased tracks. Afterward, an open Q&A allows attendees to engage with the panelists directly. The event wraps up with networking time, encouraging creative connections and collaboration in an inspiring setting. It’s a vibrant space for artists and industry professionals to come together and grow.
Nurturing Independent Artists through Resources and Networking
Sonically Live has already hosted seven successful events in collaboration with renowned venues such as Soho House and The Ministry. Each gathering brings together a diverse panel of music industry experts, including celebrated artists, producers, and A&R and sync professionals. These events feature live performances, “artist spotlight” talks, songwriting discussions, and open Q&A sessions, creating a vibrant environment for learning and collaboration. With its dynamic format, Sonically Live continues to provide invaluable experiences for both emerging artists and seasoned professionals.
The events have featured an impressive lineup of panelists, including music industry heavyweights such as Catherine J Marks, Ellie Dixon, Professor Jonathan Shalit, Che Lingo, Felix Howard, Talya Shalson, Nadia Khan, Manon Dave, and more. These accomplished professionals, spanning roles from producers to A&R and sync experts, bring a wealth of knowledge to each event. Their contributions, alongside notable artists like Dionne Bromfield and Jelani Blackman, enrich the experience for attendees, making Sonically Live a hub for inspiration, mentorship, and meaningful industry connections.
The Impact of Sonically Live
Sonically Live’s event planning is all about creating a fun and approachable experience. The team carefully selects panelists and makes sure they understand the event’s vibe. They create eye-catching promotional materials and work with tech partners to make sure everything runs smoothly, from the filming to the sound. The focus is on making the event enjoyable and memorable for everyone involved, from the panelists to the audience.
The content created from Sonically Live helps to extend the event’s impact. Highlight reels capture key moments, while individual segments focus on panelists and artists. Professional photos document the event, and audio is edited into episodes for their podcast, Sonically, which also features bonus episodes with the panellists after the show. This comprehensive material ensures that the conversation continues beyond the event itself, reinforcing Soho Sonic’s commitment to creativity and collaboration within the music community.
Sonically Live’s Commitment to Accessibility
As a way of thanking the music community, Sonically Live remains free for attendees, with funding covered by Soho Sonic Studios, Make This Noise Publishing, and partnerships with select venues. These venues provide complimentary services, such as hosting the event, dinner for panelists, and video/photography.
To ensure the event continues to grow, Sonically Live is open to sponsorships and collaborations with companies that share its vision of supporting independent artists and fostering creativity. The platform is looking to partner with labels, publishers, marketing agencies, and other industry professionals to create mutually beneficial opportunities. Through these collaborations, Sonically Live aims to expand its reach, engage with a dynamic music community, and provide sponsors with a chance to connect with emerging talent in the ever-evolving music industry.
Expanding Sonically Live’s Reach and Opportunities for Growth
The future of Sonically Live is focused on growth and expanding its impact in the music industry. The aim is to host more regular events, foster collaborations with labels, publishers, marketing agencies, and software developers, and connect the community to new opportunities. Plans also include exploring funding to expand the team, host larger events, and take Sonically Live to new locations, such as Los Angeles. This vision prioritises connection, creativity, and innovation, ensuring continued value for both emerging artists and industry professionals.
Final Thoughts
Sonically Live is truly a standout event, bringing together musicians and industry experts in a way that feels both exciting and genuine. It’s a space where talent thrives, and connections are made naturally. With so much potential on the horizon, it’s clear that the future of Sonically Live is full of exciting opportunities, and we can’t wait to see how it continues to evolve and inspire the music community.
