Riga Will Become the Musical Center of the Baltics for Two Days: What to Expect from Riga Music Week

One of the central themes of the conference will be the influence of digital platforms on the modern music industry. Experts will discuss whether algorithms from Spotify, TikTok, and other services help listeners discover new artists or, on the contrary, start determining who will gain widespread recognition. Another important question is the opportunities for local musicians beyond Latvia. European concert agents and festival representatives will share how they currently search for promising artists and what small-country bands need to perform on international stages. A separate discussion will be dedicated to the music market of the Baltic states. Organizers note that the region has many talented performers, but still lacks strong companies capable of systematically and long-term promoting artists beyond national markets. Confirmed participants of the conference include SubmitHub partner Dylan Henek, ESNS director Anna van Nunen, First Music Contact head Angela Dorgan, and Liveurope director Fernando Bittencourt Herson. The list of guests and experts will continue to grow. Founder and Executive Director of Riga Music Week Agnese Cimushka-Rekke emphasizes that quality music alone is not enough for success abroad today. Latvian performers need direct contacts with people who shape festival programs, develop artists, and make decisions in the European music industry. Riga Music Week should become a platform for such meetings directly in Riga. In turn, the director of the Riga Investment and Tourism Agency, Fredis Bikovs, notes that such events not only expand the cultural program of the capital but also attract foreign guests while helping Latvian musicians make a name for themselves beyond the country. The evening part of Riga Music Week will unfold across seven stages. Representatives from the Latvian and international music scene will be responsible for their programs. Participants include the Summer Sound festival, the record label I Love You, the Baltic media Bobe, the international concert platform Sofar Sounds, the management agency Still Figure, and the music company Every Little Thing. Thus, Riga Music Week will combine two tasks: to introduce the public to dozens of performers and to give Latvian musicians the opportunity to meet directly with people who significantly influence their path to the European stage.