BERLIN (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Once again from 20th – 22nd September 2006 important decision makers from the international music business such as musicians, bands, bookers, Festival organisers, publishers, labels, producers, export offices and bookers will meet at the Popkomm 2006 in Berlin.
Since its conception 18 years ago, Popkomm has developed into one of the leading music business platforms and last year emphasised its position as an internationally distinguished music trade event with an impressive 796 exhibitors and 15,108 visitors.
Since moving from Cologne in 2004, Popkomm has had a special cooperation each year with one country. After France and Spain, this year Brazil is the first non-European partner country and will show that its multi-facetted cultural and music scene has a lot more to offer than carnival and football clichs.
This years Popkomm partner country will present its extensive and multifaceted talents at the exhibition grounds and festival clubs. Participants at the Brazilian community stand (over 200 qm) in Hall 16 welcome trade visitors from all over the world.
Popkomm Festival
19 Brazilian acts – renowned stars as well as newcomers – can be seen at the festival centre in Berlins Kulturbrauerei. Across the board from Rock to Hip-Hop to Electronic and, of course, with a dash of Samba or Bossa Nova the dancing can begin!
Popkomm 2006 is, of course, not just for Brazilian music. Loads of international and national acts whether in small clubs or huge arenas will be adding to Popkomms character illustrating why we meet hear year-for-year: the music!
For all of the artists participating in this years festival in Berlin Popkomm offers a special service in cooperation and with help from Sonicbids. Artists have an opportunity to present themselves professionally and impressively worldwide online without the need for expensive postal costs for press kits.
One of this years Popkomm highlights is without a doubt Tangerine Dream live in Berlins Tempodrom on the 21st September. Alongside Kraftwerk, Can and Faust they count without doubt to the leading pioneers in the world of electronic music. 40 years to the day of their formation by Edgar Froese they kick-off their world tour.
We are looking forward to Popkomm and celebrating 40 years of Tangerine Dream together with friends and an audience from all over the world, says Edgar Froese who has kept true to his credo of creating originality.
Popkomm Exhibition
Two months before the international rendezvous of the music and entertainment business new registrations are still coming in from all over the world. For Popkomm 2006 the following countries have booked country stands: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Canada, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Norway, Austria, Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Hungary as well as Germany that is represented at the Berlin community stands by the music export office German Sounds, the Berlin Labelcommission and the independent labels association VUT.
In addition, major companies such as Universal, Sony BMG and Warner have booked their stands.
Due to the extremely positive feedback over the last few years our concept for Popkomm has now matured into a Jour Fixe in the exhibition diaries of our trade and media business partners says Bernd Dopp, Chairman & CEO Warner Music Group G/S/A
The demand for exhibition space is clearly larger than last year, says happy Popkomm Director Katja Bittner. We have had lots of positive feedback in connection with this and our new online tool for exhibitor accreditation.
The registration includes entrance to the exhibition, media lounge, conference and panels, showcases and festival (depending on club capacity) and a public transport pass for Berlin.
Popkomm Conference
Once again, leading figures from the music business will be meeting at Popkomm. 150 international speakers will analyse and discuss market situations and trends at the Popkomm Congress searching for answers to the future challenges that lie ahead in this economic sector.
Five subject areas form the core this year: interplay between the music business and politics, digital marketing, perspectives in the live sector, mobile music and artists and their products.
Each day at noon for three days a renowned keynote speaker will start the proceedings on the Media Lounge stage. This years major players are: Gilberto Gil, Brazils Minister for Culture and globally successful musician and producer, Feargal Sharkey, ex-singer of The Undertones and chairman of the influential British Live Music Forum and Lou Pearlman, music mogul, producer and Boy Band maker of The Backstreet Boys, *N Sync, O-Town and US 5.
The economic factor of the music industry is internationally indisputable. Creativity is not just regarded as a cultural asset but also as a profitable industrial segment. Whilst in some countries politicians and administrators have recognised the economic and cultural relevance of the so-called creative industries there is a distinct lack of recognition in Germany.
The discussion about Creative Industries is one of the most important topics of this years conference programme and has a particular relevance for the future, according to Constanze Althoff, who is responsible for organising the Popkomm Conference.
