Sochi Winter Music Conference- 2013
Sochi, February 2012
We’re getting started again on planning for the Sochi Winter Music Conference (taking place in Sochi, Russia in 2013), kicking off with parties at Sonar Barcelona on June 17. More details of the conference are below:
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Sochi Winter Music Conference was founded in 2006 by leading Russian independent nightlife organization Fortdance and rapidly established itself as the preeminent electronic music and nightlife related convention in Russia.
Taking place each February in the Black Sea resort of Sochi (home to the upcoming Winter Olympics and Russia’s first ever Grand Prix in 2014), the event is supported by Sochi’s local government who work closely with the SWMC team each year.
Currently starting preparations for its eighth season, SWMC attracts over 1,500 conference delegates and 7,500 clubbers, including Russia’s top artists and DJs, professional journalists, producers, promoters, booking agents, managers and the owners of night clubs and record companies, and other important characters who share our passion for electronic music.
SWMC was created with the initial concept that Russia’s burgeoning music, entertainment and club industries needed a platform to present their artists, DJs and activities and to share ideas and information with each other, within the framework of a Music Conference.
Since then the Conference has developed to incorporate music and technology workshops, seminars and a daytime program of panels featuring selected experts and leading international and domestic business figures, sharing their knowledge in debates and discussions.
Actively expanding beyond Russia and Eastern Europe in recent years, SWMC offers a unique gateway for international companies hoping to penetrate the Russian market, providing a friendly, focused environment where visitors can meet and mingl and gain an on-the-spot understanding of Russian nightlife, EDM and club culture.
Amsterdam Dance Event consultant and renowned DJ/ producer/ media expert Jonty Skrufff joined the team for this year’s edition, curating and developing the international program, which featured guests from Resident Advisor, Mixmag, DJ Magazine, Sony Playstation and Bullitt Agency amongst others. All were impressed.
“If you’re interested in learning about clubbing in Russia, SWMC is an essential education,” said RA’s editor in chief, Todd Burns, a view endorsed by Mixmag’s Deputy Editor Duncan Dick.
“SWMC was a great opportunity to meet the key people behind the burgeoning Russian dance music scene,” said Duncan, “And a great way to experience some of it first hand at the excellent clubs and parties in Sochi.”
Duncan Dick (Mixmag), Carl Loben (DJ Magazine) Todd Burns (Resident Advisor)
International DJs including X Press 2, Perc and Luca Bachetti also spoke on panels before performing at showcases and club events scattered throughout Sochi and were equally enthusiastic.
“Attending SWMC gives you an understanding of the Russian music and clubbing markets which would previously have taken years of blagged introductions, wild goose chases and networking,’ said Perc.
“It was well organised and well attended,” X Press 2 agreed, “The couple of panels that we saw or took part in were very informative and again, very well organised.”
Next year’s SWMC takes place in February 2013, when temperatures are mild as opposed to freezing or hot (Sochi’s location on the shores of the Black Sea mean temperatures are often Mediterranean, even in winter).
The Organizing Committee and Jonty invite you to come and experience traditional Russian hospitality and begin working together on the fast-growing and promising club and music scene in Russia.
Media Panel
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Nighttime performers February 2012:
Booka Shade, Luca Bacchetti, Delete, X-press 2, Perc, Droog, Nina Kraviz, Sergey Sanchez, Mike Spirit, Special Case, Rayo, Easy Changes, Nastia, Feel, Romeo, Matisse & Sadko, Matt Caseli, Da Fresh, Noiz, Spartaque, Hard Rock Sofa
Showcases:
Bullit Agency, Elite Music Management, Arma17, Solyanka, Culprit records, Grusha Music, Radio Records.
Daytime performers and speakers
Beatport, The Bullitt agency, Elite Music Management, DJ Magazine, Mixmag, Resident Advisor, Dance Trippin TV, ADE, Exit Festival, Sony Playstation and more
International program organized and hosted by Jonty Skrufff Skrufff.com, Germany Calling, DE
JS & Richard Zijlma (ADE)
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Selected International Speaker Endorsements from 2012
“If you’re interested in learning about clubbing in Russia, SWMC is an essential education.”
Todd Burns, Editor-in-Chief, Resident Advisor, Germany
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“The SWMC was a great opportunity to meet the key people behind the burgeoning Russian dance music scene – and to experience some of it first hand at the excellent clubs and parties in Sochi.”
Duncan JA Dick, Deputy Editor, Mixmag, UK
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“SWMC 2012 was a real eye-opener, a gateway into the burgeoning Russia electronic music scene. I’ll definitely be returning in future years as Sochi Winter Music Conference establishes itself further as an essential part of the global dance calendar.”
Carl Loben, Contributing Editor, DJ Magazine, UK
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“Attending SWMC gives you an understanding of the Russian music and clubbing markets which would previously have taken years of blagged introductions, wild goose chases and networking.”
Ali ‘Perc’ Wells, Perctrax, UK
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“SWMC 2012 was an opportunity to meet many professionals who are contributing to the growth of club culture in Russia. To take part in the conference gave me the chance of expressing my own vision on the current state of clubbing.”
Luca Bacchetti, artist/ DJ, Spain
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“We (X-Press 2) really enjoyed our short time at SWMC. It was well organised and well attended. The couple of panels that we saw or took part in were very informative and again very well organised. We’re just sad we didn’t get to experience the whole weekend. Next year!”
Rocky & Diesel, X Press 2, UK
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Definitely a ”must-visit” event for anyone who wants to explore the Russian dance scene or discover all the Russian upcoming talent.”
Tim Metz, MD, Dancetrippin, Bulgaria
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”I enjoyed attending SWMC again this year and learning more about the Russian club scene. It’s great to see SWMC developing as a real gateway to Russian nightlife”.
Richard Zijlma, General Manager, Amsterdam Dance Event, Holland
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“SWMC was a great experience, providing a unique opportunity to network with senior music industry executives and significant players in the Russian electronic music scene.”
James Bullock, Elite Music Management, UK
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“SWMC was truly an enlightened gathering of the tastemakers in the new Russian EDM market. Bullitt will continue to partake in the SWMC for as long as they’ll have us!”
Joe Sigmund, Bullitt Agency, USA
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“The SWMC was a great gathering of the key figures in Russian club and DJ culture. Highly recommended as essential to be at if one is serious about clubbing and finding out how best to develop DJs worldwide.”
Ralph Simon, CEO, Mobilium, UK/ India
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“We are also just years (if not months) away from Russian (Eastern) talent being comparable to top notch western ones. Sochi is a catalyst in this process.”
Bojan Boskovic, Exit Festival founder/ general manager, Serbia
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“The SWMC was a wonderful experience, professionally hosted by its generous staff. Even with a quite arty performance as ours, we felt absolutely welcomed by a very open minded and fun audience!”
Ola and Johannes, Six Drummers, Sweden
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” SWMC was more beneficial and eye opening than I could have imagined. It’s shown me that Russia is a musical force to be reckoned with and one that I will be doing business with in the future.”
Richard Ford, Anger Music, UK
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“I had a great time at SWMC. There were plenty of interesting speakers in the day and eye-opening club events by night. I met so many cool people and I felt well taken care of by the organisers. I can see this event growing in stature every year. If you get a chance – go!”
Duncan Smith – Music Supervisor @ Playstation, UK
