BERLIN OUTBOUND

Berlin Outbound – International Pop Exchange offers emerging and established musicians as well as music industry professionals a platform to further develop their careers and international networks. Following its successful debut last year, Berlin Outbound is returning as part of the Pop-Kultur Festival.

Berlin Outbound takes place on Wednesday, 27 August 2025, from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm at silent green, where the Pop-Kultur Festival will continue in the evening. Within the creative atmosphere of the Pop-Kultur Festival, Berlin Outbound provides space for targeted mentoring sessions, expert talks, and networking. The platform offers an opportunity to engage with a delegation of international experts, primarily active in the fields of festivals and booking.

In 2025, the following international delegates are part of the programme:

• Agnese Cimuška-Rekke, Riga Music Week, Music Latvia
• Andraž Kajzer, MENT, Slovenia
• Eleanor McGuinness, Earth Agency, Ireland
• Frederic Schindler, Too Young Ltd., Spain
• Hannah TW, www.hannahtw.co.uk, UK
• Jakub Hošek, Creepy Teepee, Czech Republic
• Marlon Burton, ATC Live, UK
• Thomas Heher, Waves Vienna, Austria
• Vilma Dzienaitė, What’s Next in Music?, Lithuania

The programme is complemented by local experts sharing their experience working internationally:

• Dhanesh Jayaselan, Expressions Worldwide & A Song for You
• Liz Agyeman, TuneCore
• Misla Tesfamariam, IMNI studio
• Zoe Heckmann, The Bridge

The participants will receive inputs and workshops around the following topics, e.g.

• Deep Dive: International Booking Agencies
• Creative Campaigns – From Moodboard to Billboard
• The International Sync Playbook
• Data-Driven Strategies for Building an International Music Career
• More Than Music: The Power of Community Building
• Insights into the music markets of the Baltic countries, Austria, England, Slovenia, Serbia & Croatia

In between the sessions there will be time for networking. The focus is on interactive formats and personal exchange on equal footing, with the goal of fostering lasting connections between the Berlin music scene and international representatives. Afterwards participants will also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Pop-Kultur Festival programme together.

Participants will receive:

• Access to Berlin Outbound on 27 August 2025: roundtables, workshops, international music market presentations and networking formats
• Entry to an international network
• Pop-Kultur Festival Day Pass
• Lunch and refreshments on 27 August 2025

The application deadline was 25 June 2025 at 6:00 pm. Information on the next edition will be published in 2026.

Applications were open to:

• Musicians and bands whose place of residence and main creative base is Berlin, working within the field of pop. Musicboard defines pop music as encompassing all genres and styles that do not fall strictly under classical, new music or jazz. This also includes any form of cross-genre or experimental pop music.
• Music professionals based in Berlin, either personally or with a registered business: management, labels, publishers, booking agents, etc.
• Team applications are possible: one musician together with a member of their professional team.

This format is aimed at musicians who have already released music, have touring experience, and have established professional structures (such as management, label, booking) or who successfully self-manage. It is also intended for professionals and musicians with international experience who wish to expand their knowledge and network further.

All information provided will be treated confidentially and used solely for decision-making purposes. If you have any questions about the format or the application process, please contact: international@musicboard.berlin

Musicboard’s programmes aim to be accessible and as inclusive as possible. If you have any questions regarding accessibility, please also get in touch at: international@musicboard.berlin