Mastering The Music Business (MMB) 2026: Full Schedule

MMB is the first and biggest international music business conference and showcase festival in Romania. Dedicated to all music enthusiasts, MMB is the place where both independent artists and key music business professionals are offered the opportunity to meet with leading experts in the local and international industry, learn from them and interact with them directly.

11:00 EEST

(EN) Community as Currency: The Business Behind the Fanbase (Panel)

Thursday September 3, 2026 11:00 - 11:40 EEST

MUGUREL VRABETE ROOM

Everyone talks about building a fanbase, but what does it really take to turn an audience into a thriving and sustainable community? Not just followers, streams, or likes, but genuine fans who are willing to buy tickets, merchandise, memberships, experiences, or support crowdfunding campaigns, while continuing to engage with the artist over time.This panel explores what it takes to build...
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Moderators

Tanya Stadnyk

Music Export Ukraine

Speakers

Paul Cioc

Carina Sava

Founder, Watermelon Agency

Marion Sosnowicz

Head of Business Developmenet, Music Glue

Marion has been working at Music Glue at Music Glue, an e-commerce platform tailored for the music industry, for the past 13 years.She has worked across multiple departments including ticketing, user services, campaign management, and sales. She currently serves as Head of Business... Read More →

Nina Mathys

Thursday September 3, 2026 11:00 - 11:40 EEST
MUGUREL VRABETE ROOM HOTEL CARO

Panel

11:00 EEST

(RO) The Sober Generation Is Here: Can Live Music Venues Keep Up? (Panel)

Thursday September 3, 2026 11:00 - 11:40 EEST

NICU COVACI ROOM

This panel brings together promoters and venue bookers to discuss the current challenges in live music, from rising costs and shifting business models to changing audience behaviours. With Gen Z going out less, drinking less alcohol, and engaging differently with nightlife, the conversation will focus on how venues are adapting their programming and strategies to stay relevant and sustainable. The...
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Moderators

Cosmin Sipos

Digital Marketing Specialist, Kooperativa 2.0

Speakers

Matei Puscaru

Booking Agent, Quantic

Toni Nartea

Mihnea Fieraru

FORM Space

Thursday September 3, 2026 11:00 - 11:40 EEST
NICU COVACI ROOM HOTEL CARO

Panel

11:00 EEST

(RO) The Physicality of Performance (Workshop)

Thursday September 3, 2026 11:00 - 11:40 EEST

LAURA STOICA ROOM

Speakers

Emil Rengle

Thursday September 3, 2026 11:00 - 11:40 EEST
LAURA STOICA ROOM HOTEL CARO

Workshop

12:15 EEST

(RO) Keynote / Catalin Maruta

Thursday September 3, 2026 12:15 - 12:55 EEST

LAURA STOICA ROOM

Moderators

Dan Fintescu

Programs Director & Radio DJ, Kiss FM

DJ at Kiss FM for 13 years, Program Director for a year. One of the organizers of the largest music industry conference in Romania, Mastering the Music Business, with experience in booking and artist management.

Speakers

Catalin Maruta

Thursday September 3, 2026 12:15 - 12:55 EEST
LAURA STOICA ROOM HOTEL CARO

Interview

12:15 EEST

(EN) Make An Agent Fall For Your Show (Panel)

Thursday September 3, 2026 12:15 - 12:55 EEST

MUGUREL VRABETE ROOM

What does it take for an artist to make a booking agent fall in love with their music and live show? In today's highly competitive live music landscape, great songs are only part of the equation. This panel brings together experienced booking agents to discuss what truly captures their attention, what convinces them to take a chance on an emerging artist, and what makes a live act stand out in a...
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Speakers

Pierre Gautiez

Anca Lupes

President, RAW Music

Anca Lupeș is one of the most experienced professionals in Romanian music business. One of her most important advantages is that during her career in the music business she has activated in almost all the areas of this industry – mass media (press, radio, TV), concert organising... Read More →

Dragos Chiscoci

József Halmen

Thursday September 3, 2026 12:15 - 12:55 EEST
MUGUREL VRABETE ROOM HOTEL CARO

Panel

12:15 EEST

(EN) Musicals for Music Artists (Panel)

Thursday September 3, 2026 12:15 - 12:55 EEST

NICU COVACI ROOM

For many artists, musicals can offer exciting creative and professional opportunities beyond the traditional music industry. But what does it take to make the transition from the concert stage to the theatre stage, and how can this experience shape an artist's career?This panel brings together performers, casting professionals, and musical theatre experts to discuss what qualities artists need to...
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Moderators

Carina Sava

Founder, Watermelon Agency

Speakers

Cornel Ilie

Artist, VUNK

Musician, composer and producer, Cornel Ilie is one of the most appreciated and long-lived artists in Romania. He is a founding member and lead singer of one of the most beloved pop-rock bands, VUNK. Tracks like Prăjitura cu Jeleu, Vreau o țară ca afară, Așa, și? or Pleac... Read More →

Crina Mardare

Gil Marsala

Emil Pantelimon

Thursday September 3, 2026 12:15 - 12:55 EEST
NICU COVACI ROOM HOTEL CARO

Panel

13:00 EEST

The vinil.ro Reception by Universal Music Romania

Thursday September 3, 2026 13:00 - 14:00 EEST

MMB Lobby

Vlad Musta este artist si songwriter român, remarcat pentru vocea sa puternica si timbrul recognoscibil. Publicul larg I-a descoperit odata cu participarea la Vocea României, experientã care a reprezentat un punct important în dezvoltarea sa artistică si i-a oferit ocazia sã îsi demonstreze versatilitatea vocală în fata unei audiente nationale. De atunci, Vlad si-a construit propriul...
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Artists

Vlad Musta

Thursday September 3, 2026 13:00 - 14:00 EEST
MMB Lobby

14:00 EEST

(EN) Scaling Local Talent Into Global Success (Panel)

Thursday September 3, 2026 14:00 - 14:40 EEST

LAURA STOICA ROOM

What does it take to turn local music talent into an international success story?This panel brings together professionals with hands-on experience in artist development, music business, talent discovery, music export and international industry networks to explore how emerging artists and local music ecosystems can break beyond their home markets.From building the right professional infrastructure...
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Moderators

Tanya Stadnyk

Music Export Ukraine

Speakers

Svet Nunev

Promoter / Head of Business Development, Gotobeat

Svet is a London-based promoter at Gotobeat, one of the UK's fastest-growing independent promotion agencies. In just two years, Gotobeat has organised over 1,500 shows across the UK and 12 European countries, showcasing emerging talent from 16 nations spanning music, comedy, and theatre... Read More →

Alex Cotofana

Vilma Dzienaitė

Thursday September 3, 2026 14:00 - 14:40 EEST
LAURA STOICA ROOM HOTEL CARO

Panel

14:00 EEST

(RO) Make It When You Break It: How to Survive Storms (Workshop)

Thursday September 3, 2026 14:00 - 14:40 EEST

NICU COVACI ROOM

In the music industry, a crisis is never a question of if, but when. A leaked statement, a cancelled show, a controversy that spirals overnight — reputation can take years to build and hours to lose. This session looks at what actually happens when things fall apart: how artists, managers, and labels respond under pressure, what separates those who recover from those who don't, and why some...
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Speakers

Monica Jitariuc

Thursday September 3, 2026 14:00 - 14:40 EEST
NICU COVACI ROOM HOTEL CARO

Workshop

14:00 EEST

(RO) Social Media for Artists Who Hate Social Media (Workshop)

Thursday September 3, 2026 14:00 - 14:45 EEST

MUGUREL VRABETE ROOM

A working session for musicians who dislike this part of the job but still have to do it. Not motivational, and not a list of formats that work this month. Expect uncomfortable arguments along the way about what the algorithm is actually measuring, what authenticity has ever meant in music, and where the line between public and private belongs. You leave with a way of working that survives the...
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Speakers

Cosmin Sipos

Digital Marketing Specialist, Kooperativa 2.0

Thursday September 3, 2026 14:00 - 14:45 EEST
MUGUREL VRABETE ROOM HOTEL CARO

Panel

15:15 EEST

(RO) Keynote / Grasu XXL

Thursday September 3, 2026 15:15 - 15:55 EEST

LAURA STOICA ROOM

The journey from underground artist to one of the biggest musical projects in Romania

Moderators

Ana Filip

Director General, Universal Music România

Speakers

Grasu XXL

Thursday September 3, 2026 15:15 - 15:55 EEST
LAURA STOICA ROOM HOTEL CARO

Interview

15:15 EEST

(RO) The Holy Grail of DIY: Cultivating Deep Fan Engagement (Panel)

Thursday September 3, 2026 15:15 - 15:55 EEST

MUGUREL VRABETE ROOM

Community is the Holy Grail of the music business. In an industry where attention is increasingly fragmented, a strong community is one of the most valuable assets an artist, festival, or event brand can build. This session explores how to create, nurture, and grow engaged communities that go beyond audiences and followers, transforming fans into active participants and long-term advocates. We'll...
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Speakers

Nicole Cherry

Cristian Georgescu

Stefan Hadar

Artist Manager & Booking Agent, Watermelon Agency

Ștefan Hadăr has been working in the music industry since the age of 19 with some of Romania’s biggest artists such as Tudor Chirilă/VAMA, VUNK, and Zoli Toth. Starting as a jr. project manager, he learned a wide range of skills, from social media marketing to PR and booking... Read More →

Cosmin Sipos

Digital Marketing Specialist, Kooperativa 2.0

Constantin Vasile

Thursday September 3, 2026 15:15 - 15:55 EEST
MUGUREL VRABETE ROOM HOTEL CARO

Panel

15:15 EEST

(EN) Watch, Listen, Convert: Making Romania’s Video & Market Trends Work for You (Panel)

Thursday September 3, 2026 15:15 - 15:55 EEST

NICU COVACI ROOM

An expertise session on YouTube and current market trends.

Speakers

Dunja Bajić

Label Leader – Label and Artist Services, Believe

Daria Costiuc

Video Manager, Believe

Thursday September 3, 2026 15:15 - 15:55 EEST
NICU COVACI ROOM HOTEL CARO

Presentation

16:00 EEST

Thursday September 3, 2026 23:35 - Friday September 4, 2026 00:20 EEST

Expirat - Indoor Stage

Spotify

tourist is a diy four-piece melodic hardcore band from Romania with roots in local scene and diy culture, cinematography and social media marketing. The group captured the attention of the local and diy scene of Bucharest from the very beginning with a unique sound and visual direction. The band’s main focus with everything they do is to push art and music beyond what an independent or a signed...
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Thursday September 3, 2026 23:35 - Friday September 4, 2026 00:20 EEST
Expirat - Indoor Stage Strada Doctor Constantin Istrati 1, 040542 București, Romania

Showcase

11:00 EEST

11:00 EEST

11:00 EEST

12:15 EEST

12:15 EEST

12:15 EEST

13:00 EEST

14:00 EEST

14:00 EEST

14:00 EEST

15:15 EEST

15:15 EEST

15:15 EEST

16:00 EEST

20:30 EEST

21:05 EEST

21:40 EEST

22:15 EEST

22:50 EEST

23:35 EEST

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