Here's What You Shouldn't Miss At This Year's Face The Music

When you’re faced (ha, geddit?) with the monstrosity that is this year’s Face The Music conference line-up, and only two days in which to absorb ideas like the information sponge you are, it’s understandable to experience feelings of overwhelm/excitement/mild panic. Here’s our top picks – take ‘em or leave ‘em, but let’s see how well you do fending for yourself among all the greatness.

In Conversation With Robert Forster

Here’s a keynote speaker you can’t miss out on: Robert Forster, founding member of The Go-Betweens, he has recently published a memoir centred around his friendship and creative partnership with fellow bandmate and writing partner Grant McLennan. With nine Go-Betweens albums, five solo albums, an international music criticism award and more to his name, catch Forster with broadcaster Woody McDonald for an intimate conversation.

17 Nov, Queens Hall, 1.15pm

In Conversation With Zan Rowe

When the j’s collide: catch triple j legend, the one and only Zan Rowe and double j’s Myf Warhurst in conversation at RMIT. Although Rowe has been in music radio for 15 years – joining triple j in 2005 – this is her debut Face The Music appearance!

18 Nov, RMIT, 3.55pm

Bandcamp With Andrew Jervis

Streaming services are on the rise and there’s never been a better time to get clued up. Catch chief curator Andrew Jervis, who also hosts the Bandcamp Weekly show online, in conversation with broadcaster, Bandcamp enthusiast and artist Time Shiel about what’s on the horizon at Bandcamp HQ, the future of streaming services, the increasingly globalised musical landscape and the platform’s recent growth announcements – like being counted towards ARIA sales.

18 Nov, Queens Hall, 10am

YouTube: A Mind-Blowingly Big Music Platform

Think YouTube was sooo 2008? Well, with more than a billion watchers, it’s an ever-growing platform for artists and entertainment personalities to reach the broadest global audience possible. Hear from Vader Fame of Ditto Music, Emma Barnes of Emma Jane Management, Henry Compton of The Orchard and Anthony Fantano (USA… The Needle Drop guy!) speak about how the platform works, content creation and monetization, making a name for yourself, audience stuff like increasing views and subscribers, plus all you need to know about new sites YouTube Music and YouTube Red.

18 Nov, Queens Hall, 11.30am

Music Festivals: The New Lifestyle Brands

Bye bye mega-fests, hello boutique events. No longer is live music enough to satiate the roadtripping, glitter wearing, craft beer drinking masses. Contemporary festivals can become their own micro-cultures when done well – how does one create such an experience? Chat with some of the most innovative creators of music festivals in Australia – Katie Stewart, Kim Ambrosius, Tig Huggins, Tim Harvey and music journo Mikey Cahill – about booking, branding and all the extra stuff that goes into creating the ‘time of your life’.

18 Nov, Experimedia, 11.30am