April 2026
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This conference examined priorities for the UK music industry moving forward. Discussion focused on implementation of the Creative Industries Sector Plan, next steps for artificial intelligence and copyright regulation, touring and export strategies, and what is needed to establish conditions necessary to enable sustainable growth.
Delegates assessed approaches to strengthening UK competitiveness - looking at implications for rights holders, performers, and venues - and opportunities for stakeholders in the sector to benefit from boosted creative industries funding. They also examined latest thinking on the perceived threat posed by AI, alongside emerging approaches to remuneration and revenue distribution, including the outcomes of the Creator Remuneration Working Group and the launch of new label-led agreements on streaming pay for songwriters, session musicians and legacy artists.
AI, copyright & supporting rights holders
The conference brought stakeholders and policymakers together to consider the way forward for AI and copyright policy and regulation, with the Government confirming there is no longer a preferred policy option, having published the final report on the use of copyright works in AI system development, alongside its accompanying economic impact assessment in March 2026.
Delegates assessed what findings may mean in practice for creators and the wider music sector, including implications for income, rights protection and market confidence moving forward. Sessions assessed what fair remuneration for rights holders should look like, the scope of transparency requirements in text and data mining models, and options for developing collective licensing frameworks to protect individual artists. The interaction of these approaches with emerging industry-led arrangements and existing licensing frameworks were considered, and where further clarity may be needed to support confidence, compliance and innovation across the sector.
Discussion further examined expected next steps under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, focusing on approaches to lawful and compensated access to music and creative work in practice. This included consideration of the design and intended operation of the proposed Creative Content Exchange, its functioning alongside existing market arrangements, and what further regulatory guidance or clarification may be needed to support consistent and effective implementation.
Latest thinking was also expected on innovation and deployment of creative technologies, looking at key issues and ethical principles for the use of CreaTech and integrating generative AI into workflows, alongside implications for employment, talent pipelines, skills and training, and the future of professional practice in this area.
Regional growth & innovation
There was also a focus on ways forward for the UK music industry in implementing the Creative Industries Sector Plan, with discussion on the allocation of investment commitments to skills, innovation and regional development, as well as metrics for benchmarking effectiveness.
Delegates considered the role of the Creative Places Growth Fund in encouraging growth and innovation within the sector, and ways forward for the six Mayoral Strategic Authorities in allocating funding to support regional creative clusters. With government consulting on the green paper for the BBC’s Charter Review, sessions further considered how the public service broadcasting ecosystem can continue to support the sector, including the role of PSBs in talent discovery, regional growth, and operation of live events.
Touring, venues & international agreements
Sustainability of the live ecosystem was a further focus for the conference, including what is needed to address pressures facing grassroots venues and consideration of the influence of factors such as VAT, business rates, and insurance costs on financial viability.
Approaches to supporting emerging artists and grassroots venues were considered, including the potential impact of the targeted £30m Music Growth Package, and further options for supporting touring, mentoring and export activity. Delivery under UKRI’s Creative Industries Strategy for research and innovation to support growth within the music industry was also discussed.
Sessions also assessed priorities for the Cultural Exchange Coalition in tackling barriers to touring post-Brexit, including progress on ongoing UK-EU cooperation efforts aimed at strengthening travel and cultural exchange following the 2025 reset framework. Approaches to improving collaboration between UK institutions and international partners were also explored, alongside examples of effective practice in promoting UK cultural efforts. Areas for discussion included practical and regulatory issues affecting international touring and export growth, including potential agreement on mobility arrangements, ways forward for addressing administrative barriers, and the role of trade missions and export funding under the UK’s Trade Strategy.
As well as key stakeholders those attending included parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons and officials from the Department for Business and Trade; Department for Science, Innovation and Technology; Intellectual Property Office; Information Commissioner’s Office; Intellectual Property Office; Ofcom; and the Welsh Government.
