SXSW Is Softening, Music Biz Is Getting a Transplant — Is the NMPA’s Israelite Is Cooking Up the Music Industry’s Next ‘IT’ Conference In NYC?

Photo: Luis Quintero

What changes are afoot in the music industry conference circuit?

You’re probably too young to remember the ostentatious days of MIDEM in France, though these days, look no further than SXSW for shifts in the modern-day music conference landscape. Suddenly, South-by — once an obligatory time- and budget-drainer — looks to be shedding attendees.

Ahead of the controversial 2026 programming changes, DMN’s on-the-ground team noticed something funny this year: the crowds were distinctively thinner in Austin. Blame it on mass label layoffs, more profit-conscious companies, a shift away from low-productivity debauchery — or heck, the rain — but SXSW doesn’t look like it’s heading north in terms of its 2026 attendance.

Those favoring the kvetch note that the days of a music-focused, expertly-curated SXSW are over. The showcases have simply declined, according to one disaffected A&R exec, with another lamenting the long flight for an overly-diluted tech/film/eco/music/whatever blob of a party — I mean, ‘conference’.

For those looking for something a bit more serious, that would theoretically play into the hands of Music Biz. But was a Nashville uproot to Atlanta a good call?

That’s a question we’ll have an answer for in a few weeks. But why did Music Biz switch cities from the tried-and-true Nashville?

DMN been told that Music Biz has always intended to switch cities every year, but COVID planted the event in Nashville for a string of years. But given the growing momentum of Music Biz and its association with the Music City, was shifting to Atlanta the wise play?

Aside from logistical arguments, there’s also a pressing political reason for keeping the action in Nashville. While we loathe to wade into politics, the industry is now facing some distinct challenges trying to get the Trump Administration to care about urgent issues like AI and copyright.

Time couldn’t be more critical, though insiders lament that Hollywood is getting nowhere on critically-important AI and IP-related concerns, for obvious reasons. But maybe there’s a strategic answer to this riddle.

The logic goes something like this: Hollywood is certainly a relatd industry, but music isn’t as fixed geographically —or politically. Trump was flanked by country superstars when he ratified the Music Modernization Act (MMA) during his first term. Given that success, is Tennessee the perfect base for lobbying this administration given the shutdown being experienced by Hollywood and others on the wrong side of this political aisle?

Meanwhile, speaking of Capitol Hill fixers: the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) topper David Israelite could be building the industry’s next ‘IT’ conference.

Israelite’s Music Investor Conference (MIC) is now in its third year, kicking off this June in Manhattan. But this event has a totally different game plan, with limited capacity and an invite-only, serious dealmaking approach. That’s generating some surprisingly nice pre-event buzz, with New York offering a more serious backdrop for industry. Are we looking at a budding Davos for music?

So far, we’re hearing that MIC isn’t yet getting the ‘heavy heavies’ like UMG titan Lucian Grainge — at least en masse — though a fairly influential cast of folks are expected to attend again this year (at least based on the 2024 list).

Meanwhile, it’s tricky to get a read on future industry crowds given a tough year for layoffs.

For obvious reasons, labels and tech bros like to keep layoffs on the hush, though heavy downsizing at mega-companies like Spotify and WMG could be trimming crowds at future industry conferences. Was SXSW just a preview of what a leaner business looks like?

On the flip side, a lot of money has been pouring into this industry. As of mid-April alone, north of $2 billion worth of investments in 2025 alone according to DMN Pro’s latest tallies. Will that tailwind mark the start of a surprisingly bullish 2025 for the music business despite the economic turbulence of late?

That topic and more coming to a conference panel near you.

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