The event saw a series of new tech announcements including sales tracker Ticker for managers with artists touring North America, access management system Front Gate Tickets for festivals and brand new platform TicketWeb Backline for grassroots music venues and indie promoters in the UK.

The day also featured specialist panels, highlighting the challenges and opportunities facing the ticketing and live event industry now and in the future.  

Tom Willdridge, Ticketmaster International Strategy & Business Development Manager and overseer of Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing system, was joined by Phil Bowdery (Live Nation Entertainment), Nick Matthews (CODA), Andrew Parsons (Ticketmaster UK), Peter Taylor (Cuffe & Taylor) and Judy Vince (Crowns Theatre, Perth) to discuss the hot topic of pricing the house in his panel. While Artist Relations Development Manager John Talbot discussed the importance of ticketing when building an artist’s career with managers Ellie Giles (Various), Phil Middleton (ATC), Ryan Richards (Raw Power) and SVP of Artist Services for Ticketmaster North America Zeeshan Zaidi. To find out more contact [email protected].

One of the highlights of the day was the TicketWeb Studios, a live space specially constructed in the heart of Wapping’s Tobacco Dock hosting live music performances throughout the summit. TicketWeb and Artist Services curated a bill of four up-and-coming acts from diverse musical backgrounds as performers for the event.

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Opening the proceedings was Welsh singer and songwriter Daniel Bettridge. A 23-year-old singer-songwriter from South Wales, Bettridge has been breathing new life into rock’n’roll by putting his own unique spin on his tracks influenced by Cat Stevens, James Taylor and Joni Mitchell.

Since being chosen as one of the 12 artists for 2015’s BBC Horizons scheme, Daniel has had an incredible year. He’s released two singles and performed at a string of UK festivals. He was handpicked by Bob Harris to perform a Maida Vale live session for BBC Introducing on BBC Radio 2 and he’s recently supported Jack Savoretti on tour. Watch Dan performing his single “Destiny Row” for TicketWeb Sessions at the summit here

Later on Horsebeach, one of the most exciting new bands to emerge from Manchester in recent years, performed to the crowd, combining a sunny stateside lilt with a moodier Mancunian world view. Read about Horsebeach and hear more of their intoxicating guitar-pop on the TicketWeb Blog

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Horsebeach at TicketWeb Sessions, November 2016 

Also appearing were TicketWeb favourites SuperGlu, a pop-punk four piece from Colchester who’ve enjoyed a fantastic 2016. Their debut single “Diving Bell” got picked up by Radio 1’s Huw Stephens; the DJ’s support for the band saw the group go on to headline the BBC Introducing stages this summer at the Reading & Leeds Festivals. Go to the TicketWeb New Music piece here on SuperGlu to find out more and witness their visceral Reading performance.  

Closing the TicketWeb Sessions was feisty and fabulous electro-clash heroine Elle Exxe. Celebrating the release of her debut album, Love Fuelled Hate, earlier in the year, Elle brought big beats and filthy bass plus grit-ridden guitars to the stage. Stealing the show though were Elle Exxe’s fierce catchy vocals, smothered with sass. She calls it “dirty pop” or “pop with attitude”… depending on the day. Want to see more of Elle Exxe? Check out TicketWeb’s New Music piece here.  

Bringing the evening’s entertainment were punk rock legends The Damned. TicketWeb interviewed the band ahead of their Brixton Academy show, part of their current world tour. Check out the piece here

Live music plays a pivotal and vital role in TicketWeb’s business; the sessions throughout the day were the perfect celebration of it with hundreds of Ticketmaster’s clients leaving suitably entertained. To work with Artist Services and TicketWeb on your campaign contact [email protected] and [email protected].