The 10th annual Sync Up conference is coming April 28 to May 6. This unique conference brings together leaders in music, film and digital media for educational and networking sessions during Jazz Fest. Events include Sync Up Music April 28-29 and May 5 which will be streamed live at wwoz.org/livevideo.

With panel discussions, interviews, screenings and social events, Sync Up approaches the entertainment business from the perspective of the independent artist. All events take place at the George & Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center (1225 N. Rampart St.). 

Highlights of Sync Up Music 2017:
• A keynote interview with Derek Vincent Smith, aka the electronic music megastar Pretty Lights
• “Case study” discussions with two New Orleans groups who broke big in 2017: The Revivalists and Tank & the Bangas
• Panels on women at the helm of major event production, a clear-eyed look at the cost of making indie records and licensing music to nontraditional film outlets
• An “entrepreneur focus” on O.G. Blake Owens, who masterfully cross-promotes his businesses in hip-hop and night bike touring 

For the complete schedule of panels, keynotes and screenings, please visit www.syncupconference.com.

Friday, May 5 SYNC UP MUSIC
10a Panel Discussion
Women Running the Show: Female event producers, tour managers and sound engineers
It’s a man’s world? Don’t tell that to these strong ladies, who run the show for some of the biggest acts and largest events. Making it to the top of the game is never easy, but it takes a special kind of grit to bust through the glass ceiling in the concert business.
Sami Slovy, tour manager for Neko Case, production coordinator for Buku Festival
Christine McBride,  event producer, The Solomon Group
Alex Diaz, front of house engineer, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Addie Olsen, festival director, Buku Festival
Sharita Cenac, event producer, Sharita’s World
Alison Fensterstock, moderator

11a Panel Discussion
Oh No You Didn’t – Use My Song Without Permission
Yes, copyright infringement is still a thing. Major corporations, political campaigns and media outlets continue to use copyrighted music without obtaining the necessary permissions – or paying for them. We’ll show you real-world examples of how infringers operate. And we’ll show you the consequences of failing to make sure your copyrights are up to date.
Brent McCrossen, CEO and co-founder, AudioSocket
Tim Kappel, attorney

12p Case Study
Tank & the Bangas
From coffee houses and poetry slams to music festivals and National Public Radio:  it’s taken a few years for Tank & the Bangas to develop an audience for their unique blend of rock and performance art. But now that this very nontraditional New Orleans band is the winner of a nationwide video contest on NPR, we ask, “What’s their key to success?” (Hint: “C” stands for “confidence.”)
Tarriona “Tank” Ball, lead singer and poet
Joshua Johnson, drummer and musical director
Albert Allenback, saxophone
Tavia Osbey, manager