FRIDAY PROGRAMME

The first day of the inaugural World Metal Congress will feature a wide variety of speakers from every background addressing the challenges, opportunities, and causes for celebration represented by the global metal community. The World Metal Congress is the start of the conversation, and we invite everyone with an interest in any aspect to attend, to interact, and to join in this exciting and vital debate.

DOORS 10AM

11:00 | INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME

With Alexander Milas and the WMC team, plus some words from Barney Greenway of Napalm Death.

11:30 - 12:15 | GLOBAL METAL SELLS, BUT WHO’S BUYING?

Heavy metal is a global phenomenon, but how big is it, what’s it worth, and what is the music industry doing to connect with more distant markets? From the impact of Brexit to surprising revelations from digital sphere, our first panel of the day will bring together a stellar panel of key decision-makers and influencers to give us the industry’s view of a genre with truly worldwide appeal.

12:30 - 1:30 | THE NEW MOB RULES

No two scenes are the same. What do metal communities from non-Western countries look like and how do they work? What challenges do artists face getting their music heard abroad, and what obstacles do global fans face in getting access to it? With an international panel from a wide range of backgrounds, our second panel of the day will shine a light on the familiar and not-so-familiar plights of the international metalhead and what the industry can do to unlock the potential of global markets.

2:45 - 3:30 | COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN

From thriving in war zones to flying in the face of oppressive regimes, global metal is nothing if not a triumph over adversity, but how does that play in the media, and should we be paying more attention? Does a niche interest deserve mainstream coverage? How has the internet and social media transformed the landscape for fans, bands, and artists? And is global metal the real next big thing?

4:15 - 5:00 | SPREADING THE METAL DISEASE

Heavy music is one of England’s most enduring musical and cultural exports. How do we explain its global appeal? It it about more than just the music?  Why should we pay attention to the international metal underground and markets, and what will the next 50 years look like? Our final session of the day will grapple with metal’s big existential question - what now, and what’s next?

5:15 - 5:30 | CLOSING NOTES AND THANK YOU’S