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PROGRAMME
Wednesday 20th
Espacio Santa Clara
21:00 h – 23:00 h
Cóctel de bienvenida
Kick off Monkey Week with an exclusive welcome cocktail for industry professionals. An ideal space to connect, exchange ideas, and network in a relaxed atmosphere before the festival gets into full swing. Join us for a toast to celebrate the start of an exciting week filled with music and collaboration!
Thursday 21st
Sala Dr. Zaius
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
_reHUB+
_reHUB+ is a training and networking project for emerging artists. The project is well-established within the _resetfestival in Turin (Italy) and is now arriving in Spain in collaboration with Alhambra Monkey Week. The goal is clear: to interconnect artists, emerging professionals, and media to foster an ecosystem that generates new European networks within the independent music sector. No small feat!
_reHUB+ is a project coordinated by The Goodness Factory (Turin) with participation from Rocknrolla Producciones y Eventos Culturales and the University of Pavia.
Sala de las Pinturas
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Presentation of the 2nd FMA Congress: Socioeconomic Impact
FMA Music Festival Congress
By now, it’s clear to everyone that measuring the impact of music festivals is crucial, and for several reasons. First, it allows for event management evaluation, helping to adjust strategies and objectives accordingly. Moreover, it facilitates communication with different stakeholders, tailoring the festival’s offering to their needs and preferences.
To effectively address this measurement, common criteria must be established that consider the particularities and limitations of each festival. In this context, FMA launched a project that standardized measurement criteria and developed a digital tool for collecting impact data. These measurements are essential for understanding festivals’ real impact on the economy and cultural sector, providing data that highlight their importance at the local and national levels.
This session will tackle the challenges and barriers related to measuring the impact of festivals, along with potential solutions. We will also discuss how these results can guide the implementation of sustainability improvements and assess the progress and effectiveness of measures adopted, promoting the sustainable independence of festivals.
A brief data report will also be presented.
SPEAKERS:
Torre Don Fadrique
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Audition 1 – I Wanna Be Adored: Cult Classics
Suntracks
This audition is a tribute to cult classics from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, a period that defined and revolutionized popular music as we know it today. Through a carefully curated selection of vinyl records, our selector will take us on a sonic journey from the gems of rock and psychedelia to the most underground pop of those golden years. We’ll delve into the songs that marked generations, which, although they may not have always topped the charts, remain eternal references for music lovers and artists worldwide.
In collaboration with Fundación SGAE.
HOST:
CURATOR:
Refectorio
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Music and Artificial Intelligence
UNIA Talks
Sala de las Pinturas
11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Associations in the Music Festival Sector: You Can’t Do It Alone; With Friends, Yes
FMA Music Festival Congress
Associations are key to promoting and improving the music industry sector, and of course, they are essential within the realm of festivals. This union through common interests facilitates the legal, political, and economic changes necessary to effectively defend the interests of their members. Associations advocate for the value of the cultural sector, fostering its professionalization and strengthening it through forums for exchange and sector-wide solutions. They enhance their influence by forming alliances with public administrations and international players. In a business often driven by the individual efforts of passionate people, these collective forums are becoming increasingly important.
MODERATOR:
SPEAKERS:
Terraza
12:00 h – 13:00 h
Speed Meetings
Patio
12:00 h – 12:45 h
Brunch AIE
La Bicicletería
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Audición 2 – Land of 1000 Languages
Suntracks
Spain is a country with a fascinating cultural and linguistic diversity, and in this session, we will delve into songs performed in languages such as Catalan, Galician, and Basque. These languages, in addition to reflecting the identity and richness of their regions, have led to music with a unique sensitivity and aesthetic. From Galician poetry to Catalan rock and the roots of Basque folklore, we explore how these songs offer a broader vision of the music emerging from the most diverse corners of our territory.
In collaboration with Fundación SGAE.
HOST:
CURATOR:
Refectorio
12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Know your Rights. Promotion and AIE’s Aids to build your music career.
AIE
As a personal example is always the best way to understand the functioning of a project that you do not know in depth, Xacobe Martínez will tell us about his experience as a musician (he is Sumrrá’s double bass player) and as a member of AIE, and will talk with Gema Sánchez and Elena Barroso about the services and advantages that AIE offers to its members. They will talk about circuits such as AIEnruta, insurance and assistance, courses and scholarships, international exchanges (collaborating with Instituto Cervantes/ AECID/ Sounds From Spain/ The Spanish Wave), as well as the great unknown and so important to complete the income in this volatile profession of musicians: the Related Rights. Almost nobody knows how to explain what they are, but they are yours and can help you make ends meet.
SPEAKERS:
Sala de las Pinturas
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m
Environmental Impact and Carbon Footprint of Festivals: How Green Was My Event
FMA Music Festival Congress
The integration of the 2030 Agenda into the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) has become crucial, highlighting the significant role of festivals as meeting spaces for leisure and work, impacting the economic, social, and environmental aspects of sustainability. This session will address the challenges music festivals face in relation to their carbon footprint, focusing on barriers, challenges, and potential solutions within the sector. Given the lack of robust legal regulation, international standards such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG PI) are the primary reference frameworks. We will discuss the feasibility of a carbon footprint study for music festivals to facilitate the integration and measurement of best practices in the sector.
MODERATOR:
SPEAKERS:
Refectorio
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For. Or Maybe I Have: Scouting for My Festival
How do festival programmers discover new bands, and what factors determine their selection for the lineup? In the digital age, scouting is no longer limited to attending concerts or showcases like those you can see at Alhambra Monkey Week. While live performance remains the ultimate test for any self-respecting programmer, platforms like Bandcamp, SoundCloud, and social media like Instagram or TikTok have also become essential tools for tracking emerging talent. Programmers are not only looking for musical quality but also for artists with promising careers and the ability to connect with a global audience.
Talent alone isn’t enough when deciding on programming. Key factors include the artist’s ability to attract audiences, alignment with the festival’s identity, and staying in tune with current musical trends. Diversity of genres, inclusion of artists from different backgrounds, and economic sustainability are also increasingly relevant. This blend of intuition and strategic analysis defines the unique experience of a festival like Alhambra Monkey Week, and we want to explore this by asking three programmers specializing in spotting emerging talent on an international scale.
MODERATOR:
SPEAKERS:
Sala de las Pinturas
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Workshop: Taxation in the International Contracting of Artists
FMA Music Festival Congress
One of the essential tasks in organizing a festival is the hiring of artists, many of them from the international scene. The tax aspects of contracting processes pose a significant legal challenge for these events due to the numerous applicable laws, both national and international, as well as the disparity in criteria established by different judicial and administrative rulings, which can lead to hefty fines if regulations are not followed—regulations that, on the other hand, are not entirely clear. To summarize: hiring international artists can be a tax nightmare that no one seems to know how to handle. Each festival applies its own criteria, and no one seems to do it the same way. How much of the fee should be withheld? Can production costs be deducted? Which countries offer exemptions, and what documents are required to apply for them? To boost artistic contracting as a mechanism for internationalization and cultural diversity, it’s important to have a workshop with an expert. Here it is—don’t miss out.
Instructor:
Ruega x nosotros – Los Corralones
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Audition 3 – Covers for Me! Spanish-izing Songs We Love
Suntracks
In this first audition, we dive into a fascinating sonic journey where Anglo-Saxon and other international classics have been reinterpreted in Spanish, with that Latin touch and the characteristic sensitivity of our country. From iconic pop to great rock and soul ballads, these versions have managed to capture the original essence of the songs, giving them a unique twist and adapting them to the Spanish language and culture. We’ll see how these reinterpretations have not only won over Spanish-speaking audiences but have also breathed new life into songs that continue to resonate, now with a distinctly Spanish flavor.
In collaboration with Fundación SGAE.
HOST:
CURATOR:
Refectorio
5:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
When Two is a Crowd: I Found My Niche!
Nowadays, thanks to the magic of the internet, you don’t need to be a massive artist to succeed; it’s all about connecting with the right audience. You can be completely unknown to most of the population but a hero to a small segment—small, but enough to guarantee you the ability to keep creating. But how is this achieved? What strategies do these artists use to identify and capture their ideal audience, no matter where in the world they may be?
From building an online community to collaborating with specialized labels and agencies, this talk will reveal the tools and tactics that allow small artists to grow and thrive in their respective niches. We’ll discover how to stand out in a sea of options and how to take advantage of the opportunities offered by digital platforms and social networks to reach specific audiences. A perfect space to understand that, in music, finding your niche is just as important as standing out from the crowd.
MODERATOR:
SPEAKERS:
Sala Dr. Zaius
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
_reHUB+
_reHUB+ is a training and networking project for emerging artists. The project is well-established within the _resetfestival in Turin, Italy, and is now arriving in Spain in collaboration with Alhambra Monkey Week. The goal: to interconnect artists, emerging professionals, and media to foster an ecosystem that generates new European networks within the independent music sector.
_reHUB+ is a project coordinated by The Goodness Factory (Turin) with the participation of Rocknrolla Producciones y Eventos Culturales and the University of Pavia.
Sala de las Pinturas
6:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
We’re In This Together, Artist: The Evolution of A&R in Today’s Music Industry
The role of A&R (Artists and Repertoire) has historically been one of the most influential in the music industry, responsible for discovering, developing, and launching new talents that define generations. However, the landscape has changed drastically in the last decade. While A&R used to operate within record labels that set the rules of the game, today its function has adapted to a digitized, fragmented industry dominated by algorithms. With the rise of streaming platforms and social networks, the search for artists no longer depends solely on scouting in clubs or local gigs. Now, data plays a crucial role. How many Spotify plays do they have? How do they interact on TikTok? These are factors that can determine whether an artist gets that coveted contract. Nevertheless, far from losing its essence, modern A&R has had to expand its skill set, balancing intuition and the ability to spot something special with the coldness of the numbers.
Additionally, A&R is no longer just an intermediary between the artist and the label. Now, it’s a strategic advisor, helping musicians navigate a saturated market, from shaping their sound to building their personal brand. At Alhambra Monkey Week, we’re closely observing this evolution, and we’ve invited very different profiles within the profession (from underground independents to global productions) to discuss the present and future of this essential role in music.
MODERATOR:
SPEAKERS:
Refectorio
18:30 h – 19:30 h
ACCESibilidad. Diez puntos para hacerlo mejor.
ACCES
De la mano de ACCES (la asociación estatal de salas de música en directo) presentaremos, comentaremos y desgranaremos a fondo el documento de trabajo Accesibilidad e Inclusión en vivo y en directo: Decálogo para una sala de Música. Como su propio nombre indica, se trata de un documento que recoge diez recomendaciones para mejorar la accesibilidad a las salas de música en directo, que la Fundación Music for All ha realizado en colaboración con ACCES.
SPEAKERS:
Garlochí
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Audition 4 – I Know a Place: Andalusian Rock
Suntracks
Andalusian rock is much more than a musical genre; it’s a cultural movement that, in the 70s, fused flamenco with progressive rock, creating a distinctive and identity-filled sound. In this audition, we will trace the roots of this phenomenon, from its first steps to the bands and artists that marked a before and after. From Triana to Medina Azahara, we will explore how Andalusian rock managed to integrate flamenco roots into rock structures, offering an innovative mix that remains a symbol of freedom and musical experimentation.
In collaboration with Fundación SGAE Andalucía.
HOST:
CURATOR:
Friday 22nd
Sala Dr. Zaius
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Speed Meetings Andalucía TRADE
Sala de las Pinturas
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Is the Customer Always Right?: Music Festivals and Their Relationship with Consumers
FMA Music Festival Congress
Festivals, a must-visit for those seeking musical and cultural experiences, have faced complaints from consumer associations for alleged non-compliance with regulations during the summer season. Festivals are becoming more professional each day, while their attendees are increasingly demanding. In the interest of legal security and promoting a smooth, symbiotic relationship between music festivals and consumers, it is important to carry out an in-depth legal analysis of consumer regulations and their application to festival organization, allowing us to assess the level of compliance by these events.
MODERATOR:
SPEAKERS:
Refectorio
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Music and Artificial Intelligence
UNIA Talks
Sala de las Pinturas
11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Not at My Fest: Presentation of the Equality and New Perspectives Campaign at Music Festivals
FMA Music Festival Congress
Gender equality remains an undeniable demand in the music industry. In this regard, the Association of Music Festivals launched the “Equality and New Perspectives at Music Festivals” project in 2022. It aims to address inequalities in the festival sector from a cross-cutting perspective, and from this initiative came the first sector-wide campaign to raise awareness of preventing sexual violence and hate crimes, implemented at several festivals this past summer. The panel will address the importance of incorporating a more equal perspective in these events, the actions to be implemented, and the role public administrations can play in promoting equality at these cultural events.
MODERATOR:
SPEAKERS:
Terrace
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Speed Meetings
Refectorio
12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
The New Wave in the Same Old Fishbowls: Young Producers on Our Scene
SGAE
In this panel featuring new producers who are renewing the Spanish music scene, we’ll dive into contemporary ways of composing and collaborating in music. Today’s producers don’t just stick to the mixing desk, where the magic happens; they are also creators with their own projects, managers of artist collaborations, and often responsible for defining the sound of an entire generation. During the talk, we will discuss how producers manage their relationships with artists, how their creative vision influences the albums they produce, and what role they play in today’s music. We’ll also explore their personal projects and how they balance their roles as producers with that of independent creators.
This space will offer a unique opportunity to better understand the role of these young producers, who are not only behind some of today’s biggest hits but are also shaping the future of music with their own rules. An unmissable conversation for those who want to understand what happens behind the scenes in the musical creative process!
MODERATOR:
SPEAKERS:
Sala de las Pinturas
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Diversification as survival in digital media
PAM – Periodistas Asociados de Música
Diversification has become an essential strategy for the survival of digital media, especially in the music sector, increasingly affected by the precariousness and reduction of advertising revenues.
Faced with competition from more accessible platforms, they have expanded their offerings to new formats, seeking to capture new audiences and business options. Podcast, audio, video, paywalls, sponsorship or the paradoxical recovery of paper as a lifeline, are some of the vehicles available to them in the changing world of information. Is there anyone on the other side?
SPEAKERS:
Refectorio
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m
Buy, Buy, Buy!: Investing in Music Catalogs
Infaga
We’re bringing to the table one of the hottest topics in today’s music industry. In recent years, it’s not just labels and publishers that are interested in acquiring rights to music catalogs; external investors and funds also see music as a long-term profitable opportunity. What’s happening, and why has an artist’s catalog become such a coveted asset?
During the talk, we’ll discuss what makes a catalog valuable, what factors influence these transactions, and how this impacts both artists and the industry. Is selling your catalog profitable? How does this decision affect an artist’s legacy? We’ll also cover how streaming and digitization have changed the rules of the game and what role investment firms play in this new landscape.
We won’t just talk numbers; we’ll also delve into the cultural and personal impact these transactions have on a creator’s work. This is the perfect opportunity to explore how music continues to evolve as a product in a globalized market.
MODERATOR:
SPEAKERS:
Sala de las Pinturas
2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Ring the Bell: Music Content on Social Media
We’ll address the role of influencers and community managers who upload music-related content to digital platforms. Today, it’s not just artists who have the power to promote their work; influencers and community managers have changed how we discover new artists and have become key players in discussing new releases, concerts, and the latest trends in the music industry.
These content creators are the new journalists and information transmitters, sharing album reviews, festival experiences, and recommendations for new artists, generating conversations and connecting fans with what’s happening in the music world. The talk will explore how they capture the public’s attention, what types of content are most effective, and how they collaborate with musicians or brands to create campaigns that resonate on social media (and make this work a viable, sustainable career path).
MODERATOR:
SPEAKERS:
Saturday 23rd
Sala de las Pinturas
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
The Suntracks Experience
The Suntracks Experience
We sit down with the music supervisors who spent Thursday enjoying the themed Suntracks auditions to hear firsthand what they thought of the experience. After a journey through Spanish music, from the classics to the most current, it’s now time to ask: how did they experience this immersion? What surprised them? What songs are stuck in their heads? We want to know their take on the sessions, what aspects caught their attention the most, and, of course, how they think we can improve Suntracks in future editions. What would they change? What would they like to see more of? This will be a relaxed and informal interview, where supervisors will be able to share their ideas and thoughts on what they encountered here. In addition, we will present the new edition of Suntracks, which will take place in Los Angeles in 2025.
Moderator:
Speakers:
Refectorio
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Seeking Creativity
PROAUDIO
In this workshop, we will explore the use and management of creativity, breaking down both the positive aspects that help us bring our music to life and the risks of wasting time during moments of concentration. How does the brain process creative thoughts? What are the mental and physical mechanisms that allow us to manage “hype” and combat the stress or demotivation that sometimes arises when making music? We will also address the importance of properly managing time and energy to maximize creative performance.
We will delve into different techniques and tools that allow us to enhance creativity quickly and effectively. From managing personal creativity to using digital tools like Ableton Live or synthesizers, we’ll cover everything necessary to consolidate our musical tastes and needs. The workshop will explore musical reactivity, creating logical foundations for work, setting goals, and making the most of the tools at our disposal, while also embracing the beauty of tonal imperfection and the natural character of sounds.
SPEAKERS:
Sala de las Pinturas
1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Keep Canela Weird! Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Canela and Were Afraid to Ask
We chat with the creators of Canela Party, the spiritual (and spirited) sibling of Monkey Week and one of the most quirky and charismatic festivals in Spain. What started as a party for friends has grown into one of the most unique music events in the country. How did a laid-back gathering full of costumes and good humor evolve to attract thousands of people without losing its essence? We’ll talk about the humble beginnings of the festival, the evolution of Canela Party, and the challenges of maintaining that close-knit, fun spirit as the event has grown. We will also dive into how they’ve managed to keep a unique and authentic atmosphere that sets it apart from other festivals, creating a loyal community that returns every year not just for the music but for the overall experience.
Interviewer:
- Tali Carreto (La Mota Promoción / Alhambra Monkey Week)
Speakers: