Meetup : Keep it Real - Manuel de survie des indépendants et indépendantes de la musique face aux plateformes et à l’IA

Before the concerts, the JEST festival invites you to join professional meetups on Nov. 26, 14h-18h, with CNM, Deli Teli, Aurale Agency and Charlie Jazz Festival. Exchange ideas, ask questions and leave with new contacts.

Meetup: Keep it Real - Survival Guide for Independent Music Professionals Facing Platforms and AI.

Aurale Agency - With Julien Saumande

How can you remain independent, visible and mentally healthy in a music economy shaped by platforms and artificial intelligence? Based on a literature review and a survey conducted in 2026 with around twenty artists and fifteen music professionals in France and Germany, this meeting offers a concrete overview of the realities of musical independence today. We will explore, in particular, the effects of platform systems on artistic practices, mental health and working conditions; the role of analogue roots and communities; the limitations of metrics and the strategic value of data; as well as the threats and opportunities associated with AI. The goal: to share useful reference points, open up discussion and leave with ideas for building a more resilient strategy for 2027 and beyond.

Julien Saumande works at the intersection of music strategy, digital practices and artist support. Through his research and fieldwork in France and Germany, he examines the effects of platforms and artificial intelligence on the independence, visibility and working conditions of independent musicians. After years working for labels (!K7, Strut) and music marketing agencies (Abend, Dotted Music), he founded his own Berlin-based agency: Aurale.

Aurale supports independent artists and music projects in developing their releases and digital presence. The agency designs release, content and communications strategies, and uses the appropriate advertising tools to support sustainable, cohesive artistic projects.

More info at lejest.fr