Organizers of the second annual Miami Music Festival will present more than 500 performances by new and developing artists in an expanded roster of venues throughout the city. The showcase will take place November 12-14 during the newly designated ?Live Music Month in Miami? and will include two daytime sessions on five stages in Bayfront Park and a show at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.
A music industry and artists’ conference will take place at the Hyatt Regency Miami, the festival’s headquarters hotel, Friday, November 12, and Saturday, November 13. Musicians may submit showcase applications, register for the conference, and reserve discounted stays at the Hyatt at http://www.miamimusicfestival.org/ beginning May 15.
Partners include Miami New Times, The State of Florida Film & Entertainment Office, Miami-Dade County Office of Cultural Affairs, The City of Miami Office of Cultural Affairs, The Miami-Dade Office of Film and Entertainment, The Miami Downtown Development Authority, The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, and FilMiami. The Miami Music Festival and Conference is also produced in cooperation with the Recording Academy, The Urban Network, and performing rights organizations ASCAP, BMI, and SoundExchange.
Performing at showcase festivals has become important for independent musicians who are using new media tools to produce, distribute and market their own music in an effort to reach broad audiences and raise awareness among music industry executives. Events such as the MMF attract discerning audiences to hear new acts or new music from established acts. South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, is just one example of a gathering that has provided opportunities to network with other artists and gain distribution opportunities.
?The MMF will again present an amazing array of rock, alternative, and singer/songwriter acts but will feature in equal measure Latin, urban, Caribbean, and jazz artists,? said the festival’s CEO, Irwin Kornfeld. ?Miami’s live music scene continues to develop and grow, and the MMF is growing with it.?
Said Miami New Times publisher Kevin Thornburg: ?As the most authoritative voice in the marketplace for the live music scene, we are honored to be a part of the Miami Music Festival. Miami already hosts an array of world-class film, art, food, and electronic music events, and the only missing piece was a live music event like the MMF.?
?The development of Miami’s live music community is important to the vibrancy of this city. Our great clubs and restaurants are the reason why so many people want to visit and live here, and live music is again becoming one of their best attractions. This is why our organization and so many others here have been supporting the growth
of The Miami Music Festival. We welcome the festival’s artists, sponsors and members of the world’s music industry and look forward to offering them Downtown Miami’s warmest hospitality,? said Alyce Robertson, Executive Director of the Miami Downtown Development Authority.
The inaugural MMF in December 2009 attracted more than 18,000 attendees to see 270 acts in 75 shows on 25 stages. Here is some feedback from last year’s participants:
?I have been managing bands for eight years and brought SELBY to your festival. We had a great experience with the venues, the conference, and your MMF Staff. Because of their appearance, NBC has asked SELBY to perform at Relay for Life in February and to perform again on the NBC Miami 6 morning show. Thank you, MMF! The conference was well-thought-out, as so many aspects of the industry were covered — the A&R and publishing segments were standouts. We were well informed and left with the tools and connections promised. Thank you for a great experience, and we hope to be back @ MMF next year! — Annie Robinson, CEO of Cobalt Management, for SELBY
“After our MMF show, a member of Diddy’s camp introduced himself and booked us on the spot for Diddy’s Superbowl party for music industry insiders and celebrities!” — the Basiqs
?Our band had a great time and appreciate all your efforts in making Miami Music Festival a great success. From the D’Addario Stage to the Rolling Stone Showcase, it was terrific. We would love to come back for Miami Music Fest 2010? — the Adam Lasher Band
?Thanks for having us out for the MMF 2009. We appreciated the support. MMF Music conference was especially helpful. We attended many panels and received incredible knowledge. We look forward to MMF 2010. Thank you!? — La Paz
?First off, let me say how PROUD I am that the MMF was even thought about! I left South Florida in an attempt to get my music heard. I have been singing back-up for Joss Stone for six years. I was so excited to learn of this conference. I want to thank the organizers of this event for showing what South Florida has to offer. I also need to say what a BRILLIANT idea it was to utilize different venues so that these independent artists can see what venues are out there and give the venue owners a chance to see what quality artists they can have play there. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the MMF, and I hope to be involved with MMF again. Thank you for the opportunity!? — Antonia Jenae
Conference speakers and festival sponsors will be announced in the coming weeks.