Rock Monsters Romania

Over 100 speakers from 16 countries, three days dedicated to the music industry
MMB 2026 begins

Mastering the Music Business (MMB), Romania’s leading international conference dedicated to the music industry, returns from September 1 to 3 at Hotel Caro in Bucharest. The 11th edition brings together more than 100 speakers from 16 countries and puts the practical questions behind a career in music at the center of the agenda: how artists reach European stages, what bookers are looking for, how to build a fan community, how artificial intelligence is changing the industry, and how festivals and clubs can survive in an increasingly crowded market. The conference features 27 panels, workshops, and conversations taking place across three rooms. Among the guests are Cătălin Măruță, manager of Andra, artists Grasu XXL, Nicole Cherry, Marius Moga, AFO, and Bean from Subcarpați, alongside professionals from festivals, booking, labels, and European music organizations. For the first time in Bucharest, the program also brings together representatives of music export offices from 11 European countries. In the evenings, the MMB Showcase Festival will take place at Club Expirat, with free entry subject to venue capacity.

Over 100 speakers from 16 countries

The guest list brings together Cătălin Măruță, manager of Andra, artists Grasu XXL, Nicole Cherry, Marius Moga, AFO, and Bean from Subcarpați, alongside professionals from booking, festivals, production, marketing, distribution, artist management, mental health, and copyright.

International speakers include Corinne Sadki, Director of European Affairs and International Development at France’s Centre national de la musique and president of the European Music Exporters Exchange, EMEE; Janneke de Boer, Junior Booker at ESNS; Ruth Koleva, founder of SoAlive Music Conference and Sofia Live Festival; Marion Sosnowicz, Head of Business Development at Music Glue; Peter Åstedt, Festival Director at Future Echoes; Mélanie Vitry, booking agent at Murailles Music; and Anne Löhr, a therapist specializing in working with music industry professionals.

For the first time, MMB will also host representatives of music export offices from 11 European countries: Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Italy, Ukraine, Austria, Greece, and Germany. The meeting will open direct discussions about festivals, touring, and the professional networks through which Romanian music can reach audiences and industry partners across Europe.

What will be discussed over the three days

The first day, Tuesday, September 1, focuses on artists’ access to international markets, the relationship between festivals and Romanian projects, and new strategies for positioning events. AFO and Bean will discuss Subcarpați’s journey, while a panel dedicated to mental health will bring together journalist Miriam Davoudvandi, therapist Anne Löhr, and psychiatrist Ioan Mirea. The program will also include discussions about musicians hired for concerts and tours, the production of major live events, the Nibiru project, and cover bands.

On September 2, the agenda turns to the economics of independent music, touring without the support of a major agency, artificial intelligence in music creation, ticket fraud, and the criteria European bookers use when selecting artists. The day will also explore funding opportunities for music projects offered through the Erasmus+ program. Marius Moga, Katerina Todorovski, Silviu Buidan, and Valentin Văcăruș will discuss how brands choose the music projects they work with. Dan Byron returns with his songwriting workshop, the longest running workshop in MMB’s history.

The final day, September 3, features a conversation with Cătălin Măruță about his work as Andra’s manager, as well as a keynote by Grasu XXL. Other sessions will focus on fan communities, the generation consuming less alcohol and its impact on live music venues, artist and agent relationships, musicals, reputation management during times of crisis, and developing local talent for international markets. Emil Rengle will lead the workshop The Physicality of Performance, exploring the body, movement, and stage presence.

The full schedule and any updates are available at www.masteringthemusicbusiness.ro/schedule.

Three accelerators for participants’ projects

The 2026 edition expands the MMB format with three small group accelerators built around the projects of registered participants: (1) Music Marketing, led by Corina Vîlcu, focusing on positioning, releases, and promotional strategies; (2) The Booking Lab, with Cristi Ochiu, focusing on preparing a project for clubs, festivals, and promoters; and (3) Music Business Fundamentals, with lawyer Ana Mirea and Silvana Ene, covering rights, revenue, contracts, and the fundamental mechanisms of the music industry.

Access to the accelerators is reserved for MMB ticket holders, with separate registration required and places subject to availability. Details are available at www.masteringthemusicbusiness.ro/music-accelerators.

MMB Showcase Festival: three nights of live music with free entry

After the conference, the MMB Showcase Festival moves the action to Club Expirat. From September 1 to 3, 12 bands from Romania and other European countries will take the stage. The artists will perform in front of both the general public and music professionals attending the conference, including managers, booking agents, label and festival representatives, and journalists. Entry is free, subject to venue capacity. Information about the artists is available at www.masteringthemusicbusiness.ro/showcase.

About MMB

Mastering the Music Business is the first and largest music industry event organized in Romania. MMB is more than just a conference. It is a place where you can sign with your future record label, have the chance to perform alongside your favorite artist, or grab a coffee with the stars you have always admired. MMB is where hundreds of participants come together to meet and exchange ideas, including some of the most recognized professionals in the industry: artists, songwriters, managers, booking agents, cultural and music PR professionals, promoters, advertisers, online and digital specialists, radio professionals, journalists, sound engineers, representatives of major and independent labels, and many others.

The event is organized by RAW Music and supported by BCR, Global Records, VISA, iabilet.ro, Bestmusic Live, Aqua Carpatica, Domeniile Sâmburești, Merlin, Institut Français, Tchibo, Forward Agency, Sublime Romania, Eisberg, Penny, and Zen Vita.

Media partners: Rock FM, Kiss FM, Magic FM, BIZ, G4 Media, The Woman, Bazar de muzică.

For more information about tickets and the schedule, visit the conference’s official website: www.masteringthemusicbusiness.ro.