Underworld: Keynote Interview with Karl Hyde & Rick Smith

Few acts have shaped electronic music like Underworld. For over three decades, Karl Hyde and Rick Smith have defined the sound and spirit of dance music with pioneering anthems and boundary-pushing live shows.In this exclusive keynote, hosted by Séamas O’Reilly, they’ll discuss their ongoing battle with “legacy”, their evolving creative process, and the continued inspiration offered by their seminal anthem, Born Slippy, celebrating 30 years this year.

FKA twigs: RA Exchange Live

Amidst the global sensation of her Eusexua album campaign, FKA twigs will join the conference for a special live edition of the Resident Advisor Exchange podcast at the British Library. In this rare public appearance, the acclaimed artist will delve into her career, creative process, and inspirations, offering an intimate perspective from one of the most compelling artists of our time.

Re-Queering Dancefloors

Munroe Bergdorf will join the proceedings, hosting a session titled Requeering Dancefloors centred around nightlife and queer culture. Bergdorf is an activist and global voice for under-represented communities, fighting for trans rights, safer spaces, equality and justice. Her work has seen her recognised as one of the UK’s most prominent activists. She's joined by I.Jordan, Jaguar, Tom Rasmussen, and Tom Mehrtens

horsegiirL – In Conversation

This is your chance to hear HorsegiirL reflect on her journey from being "just a foal from the farm" to making waves as one of the most in-demand names in electronic music. Join us for an intimate keynote + Q&A as she shares the story behind her sound, creative process, and what it means to have the "relentless support" of her community. Expect honest insights, farm vibes, and plenty of inspiration.

Jarvis Cocker Presents “Biophobia”

Musician, broadcaster & Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker presents a keynote lecture titled "Biophobia" which tells the story of how he used to be "afraid of nature". Cocker is an advocate and spokesperson for EarthPercent, a charity which works with an expert panel of scientists, researchers and activists to identify and support some of the most impactful organisations addressing the climate and biodiversity emergency. For more information on EarthPercent visit www.earthpercent.org

Major League DJz x Toyin Mustapha

The South African music icons join TikTok’s UK Music Partnerships lead to discuss blending mainstream success with cultural credibility and championing global sounds like Amapiano and afrobeats, presented by TikTok.

Art Beyond Boundaries: the Power of Collaboration

With leading speakers from across the Music, Culture and Arts sector, including Yinka Ilori (MBE, multi-disciplinary artist and designer) Mazdak Sanii ( CEO and co-founder of Avant Arte) and Jane Beese (Head of Contemporary Music at the Southbank Centre), this panel will delve into creativity, art & how artists approach collaboration, pushing boundaries creatively, and more. Hosted by Sarah McBriar - Founder & Creative AVA Festival & UP! Productions. Hosted by Sarah McBriar - AVA Festival & UP! Productions

The Game Changers

Listen to those at the forefront of music & culture globally, and how they are changing the game in their respective fields. Members of the panel include: Munroe Bergdorf - Model/Activist/Author. Tom Schroeder EVP - Wasserman Group. Maria May, Senior Agent/ Head of Electronic/International - CAA. Zeon Richards - Director, Renowned Group Hosted by Mark Gordon

Annie Mac Presents: Changes Live with Jayda G

Two iconic names from the dance music space - Annie Mac & Jayda G will sit down for a fireside chat about music & motherhood, the challenges in the industry and going against expectations.

MUBI Presents: Music’s Leading Role in Film

Tarzsa (DJ, broadcaster) will sit down with Raffertie (composer, The Substance), Lucy Bright (music supervisor, Aftersun) and Naqqash Khalid (director, In Camera) to discuss music’s role in film, the collaborative process of score-writing, and the transformative power of a needle drop. Followed by a screening of In Camera hosted by MUBI; global distributor, streaming service and production company.

Trippin: Curating Contemporary Culture

In an era where personalised curation and the role of the tastemaker are increasingly obscured, mastering the nuanced art of curation has never been more essential. This talk will delve into the multifaceted world of cultural curation—exploring the influence of algorithms, the rise of rapid microtrends, and its evolving role in the age of AI, while highlighting the importance of elevating local perspectives within a globalised digital landscape.

Lorenzo Senni Presents: The Architecture of Intensity (Production Masterclass)

Italian producer Lorenzo Senni will join the programme to present a new version of his production and process focussed masterclass “The Architecture of Intensity”. The Warp Records-affiliated artist with an prominent Hardcore-Punk background is well-known for deconstructing the epic build-ups and ecstatic synthesizer arpeggios of '90s trance and hard techno, Lorenzo uses repetition and isolation as key tactics in his production.

Talent Discovery & Artist Development with Ned Beckett

Ned Beckett, co-founder of LittleBig Agency, shares his expertise on successful artist development. Representing groundbreaking acts such as Aphex Twin, Ryoji Ikeda, Holly Herndon & Lorenzo Senni – Beckett has helped build careers that shape the current electronic music landscape. Drawing on years of experience, Ned will discuss the process of discovering talent and taking artists to the next level and sustaining long-term success in an ever-evolving industry.

Tom Elmhirst

Master British mixing engineer Tom Elmhirst will join the programme to present a special mixing masterclass, where he will break down the nuts and bolts of his process in mixing some of the most important music of the 21st century with artists like Adele, David Bowie, Jamie xx, Travis Scott, Frank Ocean, U2, Lady Gaga, Lil Yachty & many more.

Kojaque: The Art of Storytelling with Dylan Murphy

Irish rapper delves into his creative process in conversation with journalist Dylan Murphy, exploring Irish lore and world-building—plus, don’t miss his live performance on Thursday, March 20th, at EartH Hackney.

Rinse FM

As the music industry evolves, balancing authenticity with long-term sustainability is more challenging than ever. This panel explores the shifting landscape of music and club culture, addressing industry-wide communication gaps, the struggles of smaller venues and businesses, and the pressing issue of club closures. With a focus on the next generation, we’ll examine how Gen Z and Gen Alpha are shaping the future of the scene and what it takes to keep music culture alive in an ever-changing world. Founder Geeneus reflects on the groundbreaking journey of Rinse FM, from its roots to its future.

The Art Of Brand Partnerships

In an era where music and brands intersect more than ever, authentic partnerships can elevate both artists and cultural movements. This session explores how to collaborate with brands in a way that feels organic, impactful, and mutually beneficial – creating moments that resonate with audiences while staying true to artistic integrity.

Kneecap: Managing Mayhem & Breaking the Fourth Wall

Kneecap arrived on the red carpet for the Sundance premiere of their film in a stolen Police Landrover. Setting the tone for a year of main stage festival performances, a highly acclaimed new album, suing the UK government, befriending Noel Gallagher & Ed Sheeran, a sold-out headline tour & more. The Tenth Man's Eric Davidson welcomes Dan Lambert, Kneecaps manager, and Rich Peppiatt, the award-winning film's writer & director, to discuss their big year, the red carpet and the band's approach to creating chaos.

NONOTAK – Visual Arts Masterclass: Creating A Visual Language

Join NONOTAK, the acclaimed audio-visual duo known for their immersive light and sound installations, as they take you behind the scenes of their creative process. In this intimate masterclass, they’ll explore how they craft their signature visual language, blending technology, space, and movement to create hypnotic, future-facing experiences. Perfect for artists, designers, and technologists, this session at AVA London offers a rare insight into the intersection of art and innovation. Limited to 50 attendees.

How to Design World Class Experiences (Easol Presents)

In the midst of a challenging climate for Experience Creators everywhere, this panel asks how we can create a more positive future. What does the perfect festival look like? Where does it happen? Who is the audience - how do we attract them? Who’s playing? Key figures from the industry including Festival Creators and Artists lay out where we should go and how to get there. Hosted by Jordan Hallpike - VP, Music (Easol)

Going Global – How to take your music brand international – AFEM

Breaking beyond local scenes is key to long-term success, but how do artists and labels build a truly global audience? This expert panel explores international growth strategies, from streaming and PR to touring and brand partnerships, offering essential insights for those looking to make an impact worldwide.

Unlocked: How To Get A Foot In The Door Of The Music Industry

Breaking into the music industry can feel like a challenge, but what does it really take to get started? This session brings together Amy Van-Baaran & Iona Thomas from Doors Open to share practical advice on landing your first opportunities, building connections, and developing the skills needed to thrive in the music industry. Whether you're an aspiring artist, manager, promoter, or creative, this is your guide to unlocking the industry.

Marcell Dettmann – My Own Shadow Interview + Q&A

Ahead of his My Own Shadow Live project the debut, Marcell Detmann will join the conference programme for a conversation diving deep into the past, present and future of his lauded career in Techno.

From the first beat to the big hit – b:electronic panel

Labs+ in conversation with Nathan Fake – try, learn and take home free sounds