SPOT Festival is an internationally recognized festival in Aarhus, Denmark, showcasing and creating a platform for the latest trends in Danish and Nordic music. Since 2015, the SPOT+ conference has been a part of the festival as an important annual get-together for the Danish and international music business and media.
A gateway to the Danish music industry
SPOT Festival has been a recurring event since 1994, spreading new music throughout the city of Aarhus, Denmark. The festival has been a launching pad for Danish and Nordic artists pursuing the dream of conquering both the Danish and international stages and is an ideal platform for internationals with an interest in the music industry to meet Danish industry stakeholders and artists up close. It is a diverse musical experience space, where people from the industry mingle with the audience in the pursuit of experiencing current trends and talents from music’s many layers of artists.
Part of the SPOT Festival is the SPOT+ conference, organised by Promus . It’s a unique cooperation between the major organisations and music business representatives in Denmark and abroad. The aim of SPOT+ is creating the perfect meeting place for music industry professionals through an organised conference with seminars, panels, presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Through co-ownerships with different actors, the quality of the SPOT+ conference is secured, covering relevant topics such as AI and music, new streaming models, sustainability within the business, music and media, and much more. A string of scheduled networking activities brings new talent in contact with new potential business partners and expands networking- and partnership opportunities on a B-2-B-level.
“We're not just a closed industry club; we're evolving into a more inclusive and dynamic platform. SPOT aims to offer something for everyone, from young bands to established industry professionals, facilitating interactions that can boost careers and foster collaboration within the Danish and international music scenes.”
Q&A with Jesper Mardahl
Managing director, Promus, Conference Organizer, SPOT+, and over 35 years as a professional in the Danish music industry.
How has SPOT Festival influenced the growth of the Danish and international music sectors, especially in terms of fostering industry connections?
SPOT Festival has significantly influenced the Danish and international music sectors by serving as a vital platform for industry connections and international collaboration. From its inception, SPOT has attracted international media and industry professionals, facilitating crucial contacts that have propelled artists' careers.
Over the years, as the music industry evolved and faced challenges, SPOT adapted by introducing structured programs like SPOT+ in 2015 to enhance industry engagement. This initiative has fostered a closer relationship with key industry players, particularly from Germany, due to its proximity and market size, and from the U.S. and the UK.
The festival has evolved into a dynamic environment for networking, knowledge exchange, and industry collaboration, often beyond the confines of formal meetings. For instance, our investment in bringing top-tier international music supervisors to the festival has yielded substantial feedback and tangible results, such as placements in notable projects. These interactions underscore the festival's role as a collaborative and innovative platform, where even competitors share networks to facilitate mutual growth and success.
How does creativity act as a key driver in the evolution and vibrancy of the music industry?
Creativity is fundamental in the music industry, vital for its evolution and the establishment of trends. It's not just about producing music; it's about innovating within genres where Denmark has strengths, like jazz and film music. While streaming has opened global doors, success still requires integration into international structures.
The music industry's future isn't just about creating music but also about strategic positioning within these structures. For Danish artists, this means leveraging their unique strengths and ensuring their music resonates both locally and internationally, adapting to the evolving dynamics of digital distribution and audience preferences.
How do you envision the future of SPOT as a platform for showcasing and connecting the Danish music scene to a global audience?
I'm optimistic about SPOT's future, focusing on staying relevant and reflecting on the current industry. With new leadership and close collaboration with industry stakeholders, SPOT+ has become increasingly valuable. This year, we've seen significant engagement from Danish music organisations, making SPOT a key event for them. Moving forward, we plan to develop SPOT in close dialogue with the industry, aiming to be the annual professional meeting point for the sector. While the music festival is fundamental, there's a noticeable generational shift, broadening and rejuvenating our audience.
We're not just a closed industry club; we're evolving into a more inclusive and dynamic platform. SPOT aims to offer something for everyone, from young bands to established industry professionals, facilitating interactions that can boost careers and foster collaboration within the Danish and international music scenes.
SPOT Festival takes place in the heart of Aarhus, Denmark every year. The program is a mixture of the best, new, and most inspiring Danish and Nordic artists, showcasing the current and future trends in music, and is an ideal platform for internationals with an interest in the music industry to discover new artists and meet Danish industry stakeholders and artists up close.
Since the beginning, the purpose of SPOT has been to create and develop a platform for Danish and Nordic music, and the line-up includes debutants as well as more established artists who are of interest to either national or international music distributors, industry and culture people, media, as well as, of course, the new music’s alert and curious audience.