The Independent Market is Audioriver's iniative which began in 2010. With no counterparts at any other Polish festival, the project is truly an innovative venture. In 2010 it encompassed a music and cultural survey (available only in Polish), the Polish Electronic Music Scene Trade Fair, as well as workshops conducted by some of the festival's headliners. This year we have organised the first Audioriver Music Conference which took place at one of Poland's most prestigous schools: Warsaw School of Economics. The official partner of the Independent Market is the Redbull Music Academy.
The goals of the Independent Market are as follows:
- to promote and support the independent music scene in Poland on all levels (labels, event organizers, artists, schools, media outlets)
- surveying Polish fans of alternative music of all types: from rock, to hip hop, all the way to electronic music.
- expanding the festival's program.
Research and education
An opinion poll began in the middle of May 2010, the goal of which was to see exactly what Polish Internet users actually associate with the terms 'independent music' and 'pop music'. The poll was conducted via a questionnaire freely available on our website (Polish only though). The results of the poll were made available in June, during a special debate organized by Audioriver.
This year we went bigger with the the first Audioriver Music Conference which took place on Aprli 16th. The conference was a one day affair made up of a series of lectures about the basics of marketing, discussion panels about artist management, as well as the role events play in the promotion of cities and brands. There was also a Red Bull Music Academy Workshop with Radio Slave who also performed at the official After Party in 1500 m2 club. Over 300 people attended the conference and over 1000 came to the party.
Independent Music Scene Trade Fair
On the Saturday and Sunday (August 7th and 8th, to be exact), the Old Market Square in Plock became a teeming with life forum and marketplace for the exchanging of information, contacts and ideas. Independent music enterprises (ranging from labels, record shops, media outlets and event promoters) had the chance to show the whole scene exactly what they were all about. Additionally, a special stage was set up in the Old Market Square. Each of the handpicked companies had an hour of the daytime musical program to showcase themselves and associated artists.
The Trade Fair was also a great success - check the video on your left and pictures below - and we're carrying on with this idea again this year. This time, we're opening up for foreign companies as well, so if you'd like to collaborate with us, drop an e-mail to adam.gorczyca(at)audioriver.pl (be sure to do it by the end of May 2011).
Red Bull Music Academy Workshops
What's more, the general public got the chance to take part in the Red Bull Music Academy workshops conducted by some of the festival's headliners associated with this international project. Last year it was dBridge and Metro Area. Expect another spicy name for this year's edition of workshops!
