Xchange
WHAT IS XCHANGE
XCHANGE a series of workshops fueled by the vibrancy of MENA’s music scenes. Our annual workshop series unfolds across four different cities every year, these workshops are catalyzing the growth of our music industry, igniting crucial conversations in the lead-up to our annual XP Music Futures conference.
4 16 CITIES WORKSHOPS 12 10 SPEAKERS MUSIC SHOWS
OUR AIM
Deep dive into the ins and outs of the region’s music scene, identify its gaps and opportunities, one city at a time. We bring together industry experts for dynamic dialogues, talent showcases, and cultural exchanges, all woven around XP's four core pillars.
Talent
Scene
Innovation
Impact
Upcoming XCHANGE CITIES
XCHANGE Kuwait: May
XCHANGE Tunisia: June
XCHANGE Oman: September
XCHANGE Riyadh: October
LAST YEAR’S XCHANGE CITIES
XCHANGE: AMMAN
Creating Lasting Impact
In partnership with Malahi Entertainment
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1.Amman's musicians are incredibly talented and passionate, but are sometimes hesitant about pushing boundaries, in fear of eliciting controversy through their work. This calls for the scene to join forces and create spaces that encourage the scene and drive the music movement.
2.The Amman arts, culture and music scene benefits greatly from grants, foundations, embassies and international institutes. The key to the sustainability and growth of the scene is knowing the motivations behind partnerships and weighing out the collective benefits and potential downsides. These informed decisions ensure the longevity of the scene.
3."A lot of the time people in Amman are working in silos, and it's hard to know who's doing what. In order to foster sustainable growth in our music scene we really need to bring people together. That's why we've brought together a label manager, a venue owner and a community radio founder to close the gaps and find opportunities for growth."
– Shermine Sawalha, Founder of Malahi Entertainment
XCHANGE: CAIRO
From Scene to Industry
In partnership with Scene Noise
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1."Egypt's music scene has undergone massive shifts over the last decade. For instance, we’ve gone from a time when rap music was banned on the radio to a period where local rappers are selling out shows attended by over 10,000 fans. Moreover, the industry is brimming with event organizers and promoters who thrive on pushing the boundaries of the nightlife scene, often on very tight budgets. These limitations are actually blessings, allowing us to develop our local talents using local resources."
– Timmy Mowafi, Co-founder, MO4 Network
2.AI is slowly gaining traction in Cairo's music industry – though most are still focusing on building better experiences in real life. Those turning to AI highlight improvements in efficiency with artists; enhancing visibility through playlists, cutting costs for production and content creation, and more access to new sounds.
3.Partnerships, collaborations and consistency are key components for the sustainability and longevity of Egypt's music industry and events. This includes having a shared vision, objective and purpose that responds to "the why" of what we're working towards.
XCHANGE: ABU DHABI What Does it Take to Be a “City of Music” In partnership with Berklee Abu Dhabi
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1.Abu Dhabi's designation as a "City of Music" is not a beginning or end; it's happening mid-stream. It's built on previous work, and an invitation to do more; an opportunity to bring international artists, and to grow the grassroots scene."
– Bill Bragin, Executive Artistic Director, NYUAD
2.The Abu Dhabi music scene is pushing the industry standard by creating a diverse & inclusive scene for all genres. The challenge lies in encouraging individuals to branch out of their own scenes, and support all kinds of music events.
3.As technology continues to thrive, artists and record labels are able to cut time and budgets in generating music and media associated with their crafts. But what does this mean for IP, copyrights, and ethical music production?
XCHANGE NITE
When the workshops wrap up, the party takes over! XCHANGE Nite shed the spotlight on local and regional talents, turning each evening into a mesmerizing musical exchange.
