GO INTERNATIONAL!

– Meet the international music industry during Viva Sounds 2025

The course is produced by Westside Music Sweden in collaboration with Kulturakademin, with support from the Region of Västra Götaland and Region Halland.

Description

During Viva Sounds, Westside Music opens the door to the international music industry for participants from Kulturakademin.
In an exclusive and interactive workshop, musicians, organizers, and other professionals in the music field will have the opportunity to meet bookers, festival organizers, agents, PR and label representatives – all with solid experience from the independent scene and a genuine interest in sharing knowledge, perspectives, and practical advice.

The workshop is designed to provide participants with:

• Insight into how international work operates at the indie level
• Direct contact with relevant industry professionals
• Tools to build sustainable relationships and strategies for international establishment

This is not a lecture – it’s an opportunity to engage in conversation, ask questions, and receive personal answers from people who work daily with international music projects.

Structure and Pedagogy

The workshop is divided into three parts to maximize learning and interaction:

Preparation (Pre-workshop)

• Participants receive information in advance about the guests and their respective roles.
• Each participant prepares their own questions, needs, and goals for the workshop.

Joint Introduction (30–45 min)

• The guests introduce themselves and their work.
• Discussion on international work, challenges, and opportunities at the indie level.
• Focus on transparency and real-world perspectives.

Round Tables (approx. 60–90 min)

• Rotating conversations in small groups where each participant meets every international guest.
• Opportunity to ask prepared questions, receive direct feedback, and establish connections.
• Conversations are briefly documented to support follow-up.
  
  

Learning Objectives

After completing the workshop, participants should:

• Have an increased understanding of how international collaborations in the music industry work.
• Be familiar with different pathways to reach beyond Sweden as a musician or organizer.
• Have established at least one relevant contact to build upon.
• Be able to identify the next step in their international development.

Who Can Apply?

Musicians, organizers, producers, and other professionals in the music field who are active in Västra Götaland or Halland and have ambitions to work internationally.
The workshop is suitable for both freelancers and individuals working within organizations.

Important to know:

• The course is free of charge for those registered as residents in Västra Götaland or Halland.
• A late cancellation will incur a fee of 500 SEK.
• For participants registered in another region or country, a course fee of 900 SEK applies.

Questions about the course?

You're warmly welcome to contact Erik Bergstrand at, erik@kulturakademin.com.

Allau Management, ES: Aina Pociello

Aina has always been a curious person who found in the arts and culture field her comfort space from which to change the world — even if just a little. This curiosity led her to become a Talent Manager and Cultural Events Producer. In 2017, she directed and produced SIMBIOTIC FESTIVAL, the first accessible performing arts festival in Spain. In 2020, she launched her own management and booking agency, ALLAU, dedicated to helping artists develop their careers worldwide. The agency focuses on supporting women-led projects and initiatives that use art as a tool for social transformation. With an international outlook, ALLAU also works to promote local talent abroad.

http://www.allaumanagement.com/en

https://www.instagram.com/allaumgmt

Metal Injection, US: Greg Kennelty

Greg Kennelty is the Head Editor of Metal Injection, contributor to Decibel Magazine and GearGods, the on-air DJ of Embalmer Radio, the head of an ambient noise and black metal project called Disintegration Annex, and the guy behind the YouTube channel (aptly named) The Greg Kennelty. He's very tired.

https://metalinjection.net/

https://www.facebook.com/metalinjection

Bark PR, UK: James Barker

James is the director and founder of Bark PR, a music press and radio company based in London, alongside the partnered online magazine Mystic Sons and the London-based record label Silent Kid Records, focusing on digital and vinyl releases. Bark PR works with national press and radio in the UK, as well as digital marketing, including tastemaker blogs and online promotion. Over the years, James has worked with and developed artists such as:

Gary Numan, Squarepusher, Swim Deep, XXYYXX, Ladytron, Pendulum, The Bloody Beetroots, Daniel Johns (Silverchair), and Leftfield, alongside Swedish artists like Teddybears, Veronica Maggio, Jennie Abrahamson, Dolores Haze, Linnea Olsson, Flora Cash, Summer Heart, and Mariam The Believer.

His background is in music teaching and lecturing at the University of Sunderland, supported by a Master of Arts degree in music business and education.

https://www.barkpr.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/barkdotpr

Spider Promotion, DE: Jan Hagerodt

Spider Promotion is a booking- and management-agency from Hannover, specialized in up and coming artists. Spider promotion has 40 bands/ artists from all over the world on their roster and book about 800 shows a year european-wide. From Scandinavian singer/ songwriters to Punk-Bands from the US and Indie artists from Germany, Italy, the UK, Switzerland etc. Spider Promotion stands for good music and good people that are devoted to their job and passionate about music.

https://www.spider-promotion.de

https://www.instagram.com/spider_promotion

Moderator

Lewis Smith, Studio Three Sixty, UK/SE

Lewis is a cultural project director and creative producer with several years’ experience managing arts projects and delivering live events. Originally from the UK, he is now based in Gothenburg, Sweden. He currently works with studio three sixty, a multi-disciplinary practice that brings spaces to life through design, art commissioning, and live events, and he also runs the concert series Warmer Than Gold. Before that, he led venue development at cultural heritage site Gathenhielmska Huset in Gothenburg, and he has also worked as a programmer for a UK arts festival.

‍https://lewissmith.se

https://instagram.com/lewisjsmith92