The second annual music business conference taking place April 11-13 boasts a who’s who lineup of industry experts, speakers, panelists and performers. The lowdown at Local Spins.
One-Stop Shop for Musicians: This year’s Music Econ Summit is rife with music industry expertise.
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As the only music business conference in the region “aimed at independent musicians,” April’s Music Econ Summit in Grand Rapids will bring experts together in one place for professional advice and face-to-face connections with working artists.
“The conference is organized by musicians for musicians that are actually working in the modern music industry. If you want to work in the music industry in any way you should attend,” said Nicholas James Thomasma, executive director of the nonprofit Michigan Music Alliance, the official presenter of the second annual Music Econ Summit taking place April 11-13 at the Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation, 1530 Madison Ave. SE.
“The Music Econ Summit brings together industry experts, local media, journalists, photographers, booking agents, A&R reps, venues, music industry vendors and musicians of all varieties and ages.”
Nicholas James Thomasma (Courtesy Photo)
Summit founder Matthew “Monk Matthaeus” Duncan calls it “a one-stop shop” for independent artists.
“It is filled with quality information from folks who have the knowledge. Instead of watching endless amateur YouTube channels for information that may not even be accurate, you can learn from and build relationships with real people who have the knowledge and connections you seek,” he said. “Real people. Real relationships. Real connection. That is always special.”
Kicking off on Friday with a social hour, networking and music showcases hosted by Push the City Cypher, Lady Ace Boogie and Ruben Martinez, Saturday’s workshops and panel discussions include “Working with Booking Agents,” “Venues and the Future of Live Music,” “Working with a Label,” “Unlocking Artist Funding,” “Understanding Royalties” and “Success in the Modern Music Industry.” Sunday is “vendor day,” with a variety of businesses and organizations offering their wares and information.
Speakers and panelists range from those managing concerts at The Intersection, Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Café, The Pyramid Scheme, St. Cecilia Music Center and Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park to Duke Charelle of The AMG Corp., Michigan Music Alliance’s Cindy McSurely, booking agent Katie Kirchner, artist manager Carita Miller and Paul Kwant, head of Ferris State University’s Music and Entertainment Business program.
AN EXPANDED CONFERENCE WITH ARTIST SHOWCASES
Expanding the summit to three days in its second year, Matthaeus said the event “has so much more to offer independent artists.”
As chief host of the 2025 summit, Thomasma said the MMA has been “part of the planning conversations since the start and have largely developed the programming schedule for Saturday along with Monk Matthaeus. New this year is the addition of artist showcases powered by OPNR and hosted by Lady Ace Boogie and Ruben Martinez of Push the City Cypher. We have hip hop, singer-songwriter, country, hard rock, R&B and several more styles lined up to showcase on both Friday and Saturday nights.”
The conference can accommodate 300-350 registered attendees, with registration and general admission tickets, $100, available online here.
Monk Matthaeus (Courtesy Photo)
Musicians can get a 50 percent discount on summit registration by signing up for a year-long membership in the Michigan Music Alliance ($75 for a solo artist; $150 for a band). The membership provides discounted admission to MMA events, member/band listings and members-only resources on the MMA website, a coupon for MMA merch and an appreciation sticker bundle. Sign up for a membership here.
MMA – which continues to expand its reach in educating and providing professional development opportunities for career Michigan musicians – will provide information and answer questions about its new membership program during the weekend summit.
“Let’s hope for that packed house. This opportunity has so much value,” Matthaeus said of the 2025 Music Econ Summit. “This is going to be fun and impactful.”
Local Spins photographer Chelsea Whitaker will also be on hand for the weekend with a photo booth to take portraits of attendees.
Get the conference schedule and more information online at michiganmusicalliance.org.
The event is being staged in partnership with Monk Recordings, Triumph Music Academy and Push the City Cyper, with sponsorship by Founders Brewing, Urban Church Leadership Center, Michigan Arts & Culture Council and National Endowment for the Arts. Local Spins, WYCE-FM and Sonic Coast serve as media sponsors.
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