We’ve all heard of them — the legendary artist managers who shape careers, open doors, and shield artists from the chaos of the industry. And yet, in many countries — regardless of how developed their music market is — experienced, reliable managers remain as rare as a fern flower: often talked about, rarely seen.
This panel dives into the persistent talent gap in the management sector. Why do so few people choose this career path? Is the job too invisible, too underpaid, too thankless — or simply misunderstood? Can education and training truly fill the gap, or do we need deeper structural change to make artist management a viable, respected profession?
Beyond theory, we’ll get practical:
- What do good managers actually do — and what makes them „good”?
- What can artists do to attract and keep the attention of a manager?
- And how do we build healthy, balanced relationships between artists and managers, especially in a landscape defined by constant uncertainty and pressure?
Whether you’re an emerging artist, a cultural policymaker, or a future manager in disguise — this session offers both a critical lens and concrete insights into one of the music industry’s most vital and misunderstood roles.
This panel discussion is brought to you in collaboration with EMMA – the European Music Managers Alliance.
