As far as Australian music conferences go, EMC has to be one of the biggest. The electronic music hub has proven to be a sure-fire date on any electronic-lover’s calendar, rounding up the best of Australia and beyond to talk about their passions in electronic music. This year is no different, with the multiple speaker announcements including names from Alison Wonderland, Machinedrum, Motez, Nina Las Vegas and Paces, through to representatives and directors of Boiler Room, Future Classic, triple j and so, so much more. Because of this, the program can be quite muddled and confusing, especially when paired with the lengthy list of names performing across the Wednesday night’s bustling EMC Play program. For a comprehensive look at this year’s program head HERE, however for now, here’s our tips to how to get the most of your two days at IVY Complex and beyond, and who we’re dying to see at the end of this month.

Tuesday, November 29

Keynote: Mirik Milan, Mayor of Amsterdam

EMC PRO Theatre, 10:00AM – 11:00AM

As the first name announced for this year’s EMC program back in July, the hype is real to hear Amsterdam’s Night Mayor tell Sydney what’s up. Presumably coming down-under to discuss Sydney’s controversial lock-out laws, Milan promises to be one of the more interesting and relevant keynotes in recent years, for artists and punters alike. More info HERE.

Coming To You Live: Connecting with Audiences Through Live Broadcast

EMC PRO Theatre, 11:00AM – 11:45AM

With a panel including Boiler Room’s Head of Music Raj Chaudhuri among local representatives for the Sydney Opera House and Red Bull Australia, this insight into live streaming music events is a good’un. With everyone from Coachella to Glastonbury hopping on-board the ‘comfort on your own couch’ streaming style, it’ll be interesting to hear about the future of technology and streaming in live music, especially coming from the best. More info HERE.

Lights + Music: Exploring Live Show Creation

EMC PRO Theatre, 2:00PM – 2:45PM

One of the most over-looked names on this year’s EMC bill has to be Martin Phillips, founder of Bionic League. Phillips is the maestro behind world-famous live set-ups including Daft Punk’s bloody ALIVE Pyramid, which is probably the most well-known electronic live show in history, as well stage productions for Deadmau5 and The Presets. Speaking about live shows and how to create a relationship between music and visual performance, you can guarantee that Phillips will be in his element, and someone you should definitely pay attention to. More info HERE.

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Hot Content: Make Content Work For You

EMC Pro Theatre, 4:00PM – 4:45PM

A must-see for any bustling music writer or blog-runner-hopeful, this year’s content creation panel includes editors and directors of InTheMix and Junkee Media, as well as promotions and marketing managers of Inertia Music and Warner Music. There’s also The Meeting Tree, who have had 2016 down-pat with their social media presence. No more crying at computer screens at 3:00AM trying to drum up content ideas, music writers. More info HERE.

Case Study: Delving Into the Success of Paces’ Debut Album

EMC Academy Theatre, 4:00PM – 4:45PM

For everyone not hitting up the content creation panel, I recommend this one. Paces’ debut album Vacation was one of the cross-over hits of 2016, and what better way to hear how it was pulled off than by the man himself. Also speaking is his label-head, manager, booking agent, publicist and promotions manager, to get the full idea of what went down. More info HERE.

Medium Rare Recordings EMC Banquet BBQ

Taylor’s Rooftop, 7:00PM – late

Although not a part of this year’s EMC events roster, your bros at Medium Rare Recordings are throwing a party any way – just one night early. With a line-up that includes Benson, LO’99, Torren Foot, Accademy and a free BBQ dinner, it’s bound to be a goodie. More info HERE.

emc medium rare recordings banquet

Wednesday, November 30

Keynote: Alison Wonderland

EMC Pro Theatre, 9:30AM – 10:30AM

Alison Wonderland has become inescapable this year, which is pretty damn impressive considering she hasn’t released anything for a while. Gearing up to release her second album sometime next year, our home-grown electronic powerhouse will be sitting down with InTheMix editor Katie Cunningham to talk about how she’s managed to pull it all off. More info HERE.

Making Waves: The Future of Broadcasting

EMC Pro Theatre, 12:00PM – 12:45PM

Set to explore the current trends of radio broadcasting, the internet and on-demand listening, Linda Marigliano will be spearheading this year’s talk on radio with an impressive panel, including reps for RBMA Radio, FBi Radio and the festival programmer of Secret Gardens Festival. It’s gonna be a doozy of a panel for all you interesting in the radio and broadcasting side of things. More info HERE.

Sync’d: How to Create New Revenue Streams Through Synch Licensing

EMC Pro Theatre, 2:00PM – 2:45PM

Making money is the hardest part of being an artist, so any insight into how to get that EDM money is going to be well-listened to. This panel will delve into getting the most out of licensing and publishing deals, including how to target audiences en mass through film, television and advertising and how claim those pesky, hard-earned royalties. More info HERE.

The Art of Rave: The Connection Between Art and Music

EMC Forum, 2:00PM – 2:45PM

With a panel including ULTRAMAJIC head and producer Jimmy Edgar, label host and party-thrower Nina Las Vegas and directors of Motorik, Pelvis and Future Classic, this panel will be discussing the connection between art and music. The panel will be a forum for each artist’s work, the movements that sprung up around them, how they intertwine their work with the music of the labels they represent. More info HERE.

Express Yourself: How LGBTI Culture is Pioneering the Club Experience

EMC Forum, 3:00PM – 3:45PM

LGBT+ rights have been a big talking point in this year’s political circus and for a good reason too. This year sees EMC getting in on the action, inviting acclaimed transgender DJ and producer Honey Dijon to talk in what promises to be one of the more emotionally-charged forums of this year’s conference. More info HERE.

EMC Play Hub

Oxford Arts Factory, 8:00PM – 2:00AM

As we delve into the night-time, Sydney is set to live again with this year’s extensive EMC Play program. The biggest party this year is at the Oxford Arts Factory, with everyone from Paces to Kuren to Dena Amy to The Tapes and to Swindail throwing down in the two-rooms of action. Expect some of Australia’s finest talent, hand-picked from triple j Unearthed director Dave Ruby Howe.

Audiopaxx x KOSHER x Pilerats x Sidechains Showcase

Hudson Ballroom, 8:00PM – 2:00AM

Second up on the EMC Play bill is yours truly, throwing a party for the ages alongside our brothers-in-arms Audiopaxx, KOSHER and Sidechains. With everyone from Oski and LOLO BX to Ribongia, Tina Says, Tigerilla, HI LIFE and our own Lower Spectrum set to throw down, we’re playing on tearing the Hudson Ballroom (formerly Plan B Nightclub) a new one.

Nuff Said x etcetc x Eighty Six Showcase

World Bar, 9:30PM – 3:10AM

Set to be the latest-closing of the EMC Play parties, you can guarantee that World Bar are going to have one hell of a clean-up session needed after this. Ian Munro, LO’99, Odd Mob, Set Mo, POOLCLVB, Made In Paris and Airwolf are all on the bill, which is only set to get bigger with four intriguing special guest slots.

UNDR CTRL x Purple Sneakers Showcase x Nap Girls AU x Deeper Than House

Oxford Circus, 6:00PM – 3:00AM

Last but not least comes one of the longer-named showcases, with UNDR CTRL teaming up with Purple Sneakers, Deeper Than House and Australia’s edition of feminist electronic crew Nap Girls for a lengthy party at Oxford Circus. Guests include Dutch producer WRLD, plus Third Floor, MUTO, Human Movement and a heap of ladies throwing it down in both rooms.