Encounters

Encuentros: Raquel García

Encounters

Encuentros: Paula Ráez

Encounters

Encuentros: Paula Raez (Part 3)

Sustainability in festivals can no longer be reduced to aesthetics or good intentions. In this conversation, Paula Raez —an expert in cultural-sector sustainability— challenges symbolic gestures and advocates for a technical, professional, and structural approach to meaningful change. Sustainability, she argues, cannot be improvised: it must be designed with precision, managed with expertise, and evaluated with integrity.  Far from being an optional extra, implementing sustainable practices requires specialized teams, real impact measurement, and a deep transformation of production models. As European regulations tighten around practices like greenwashing, pinkwashing, and impactwashing, cultural events are being called upon to show real accountability — backing their commitments with data, methodology, and tangible outcomes.  Moving toward truly sustainable festivals demands a shift in mindset — one that goes beyond surface-level solutions and embraces ongoing, thoughtful improvement. This episode offers a clear and grounded perspective on how sustainability can become a transformative tool, capable of driving positive impact without compromising creativity or feasibility. 

Encounters

Encuentros: Paula Raez (Part 2)

The sustainable transformation of music festivals is no longer just about good intentions. In this conversation, Paula Raez explores how both public and private funding criteria are shifting to support more responsible cultural practices. Increasingly, institutional grants and corporate sponsorships are tied to concrete commitments in environmental, social, and governance areas.  With the rollout of new European directives and national legislation —including Spain’s waste management and gender equality laws— festivals now face both the challenge and the opportunity of adapting to a rapidly changing regulatory landscape. Sustainability must be embedded from the earliest stages of event planning. It’s no longer just an ethical matter — it's a strategic necessity. Projects that fail to embrace these principles risk being excluded from future funding opportunities.  This episode offers a roadmap to understanding how sustainability is becoming a key criterion in the new cultural ecosystem. A vital reflection for promoters, managers, and cultural agents who want to ensure the long-term viability of their projects in an environment where responsibility, innovation, and funding are increasingly interconnected. 

Encounters

Encuentros: Paula Raez (Part 1)

Sustainability has become an unavoidable topic in the music industry — especially when it comes to festivals. In this timely conversation, Paula Raez, a lawyer and consultant specialized in sustainability in the cultural and creative sectors, offers an honest reflection on the real limits and possibilities of applying sustainable practices in an industry that, by nature, generates impact. Rather than chasing unattainable perfection, the goal is to take responsibility and act with awareness and coherence. Using cases like the pioneering SOS 4.8 in Murcia —which as early as 2008 integrated environmental and social criteria into its operations— Raez calls for a critical reassessment of today’s festival model. As Spain positions itself as a major hub for music tourism, the sector’s lack of data and transparency around sustainability remains a barrier to creating effective, shared policies. This episode highlights the urgent need for festivals to measure and report their environmental and social impact, tailoring their approach to the specific nature of each event. In a landscape defined by rapid expansion and short-term goals, this conversation encourages us to rethink sustainability not as a marketing label, but as a long-term process. A path that requires commitment, a willingness to change, and a deeper connection with the natural, social, and cultural contexts in which our musical events unfold. 

Encounters

Encuentros: Raquel García (Part 3)

En esta entrevista, conversamos con Raquel García, reconocida experta en accesibilidad dentro de la industria musical, sobre las claves para construir festivales verdaderamente inclusivos. Teniendo en cuenta que, según la OMS, el 15 % de la población mundial presenta algún tipo de discapacidad, Raquel aborda estrategias y recomendaciones concretas para que la experiencia de un festival sea accesible para todas las personas. Desde la incorporación de medidas para discapacidad auditiva o visual hasta la mejora de la movilidad y la correcta formación del personal, su experiencia nos invita a reflexionar sobre cómo el compromiso y la creatividad pueden hacer que la música en vivo sea un espacio compartido por todas y todos.

Encounters

Encuentros: Raquel García (Part 2)

¿Cuáles son las mejores prácticas para conseguir festivales accesibles? Entrevistamos a Raquel García, experta en accesibilidad en la industria de la música, quien nos compartirá pautas clave para que cualquier evento o festival pueda ser lo más inclusivo posible.

Presentation

Connecting with the youngest ones: children's music in the streaming era.

Children have very different music consumption habits compared to adults, which means that the business model for children's music operates under its own rules. With new technological applications, social media, and streaming and video platforms, children discover new ways to enjoy music every day. But are professionals also exploring the current and future opportunities in this growing market niche?

Presentation

Connecting the Industry: How Independent Platforms are Shaping the Future of Live Music

Join us for an enlightening one-on-one conversation at the BIME Conference, featuring Jan-Willem van de Ven, Director at Amsterdam Dance Event, and Oscar Kriek, Director of Partnerships at TicketSwap. This conversation will delve into the significant value, emerging opportunities, and inherent responsibilities of providing an independent platform to the music and event industry. During this fireside chat, van de Ven and Kriek will share their insights on the evolution of their respective organizations. They will explore the mission and vision that drive their efforts, discuss the transformative journey their businesses have undertaken, and examine how their roles and propositions have developed over the years. This engaging discussion aims to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of strategic approaches and innovative practices in the music and event industry. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more and get connected!

Presentation

Expanding the boundaries of the festival's industry and large-scale events

Currently, being a promoter in the music industry faces unprecedented challenges. Rising costs, particularly in production and artist bookings, along with more intense competition than ever, have made sponsors essential partners. Their presence has become natural in the music landscape, creatively integrating into on-site experiences that aim to add value without overwhelming the audience or undermining the essence of the event. In addition to traditional promotional sponsorships, ticketing platforms have emerged as a crucial source of funding. Technology not only optimizes the sales process but also enhances the user experience, becoming key allies for promoters and brands in this era of the music industry.