Mondo NYC Music & Tech Conference & Showcase 2025

Variety Executive Music Editor Jem Aswad kickstarts the Mondo 2025 conference.

We’re on the ground to bring you the latest from Mondo 2025.

(Photos taken by Open On Sunday cofounder & President Malcolm Thompson, with Open On Sunday Copyright Specialist Kevin Dynda. Both are attending Mondo NYC Music Conference, taking place October 14th-17th, 2025)

Mondo week 2025 is underway right now in Brooklyn, New York.

On Day One, Jem Aswad, Executive Music Editor at Variety kickstarted Mondo 2025 Conference with a panel of Industry express and provocateurs, with the panel “The State of The Music Business.”

The “Fireside Chat” between Concord COO Victor Zaraya and Larry Miller, Clinical Professor of the Music Business Program at NYU Steinhardt (& Executive Director of Sony Audio Institute), covered how Independent artists are tackling the challenges presented by a highly interconnected world, while leveraging the opportunities it offers.

Panelists discussed the aftermath of new technology empowering artists to find and connect with global audiences. As a result, the music ecosystem has never been more complicated or more democratic. Music revenues in the US and Europe have become more stable, and trust in the music market is strengthening among investors.

We also attended the interview by Jason Feinberg, Head of KOSIGN at Kobalt, as he spoke to legendary artist Henry Rollins.

Jason Feinberg interviews Henry Rollins.

Titled “Building the Artist Enterprise,” the interview dove into the strategies that turn art and creativity into a career. Rollins shared a behind-the-scenes look at building a business around music, writing, and performance. Speaking about making tough financial calls, protecting rights, and staying creative under pressure, Rollins unpacked the realities of staying true to your vision, the lessons he’s learned, and the strategies he developed to make independence work.

On Day Two, the conversation with Pieter Van Rijn, CEO of Downtown Music, and Larry Miller, Clinical Professor of the Music Business Program at NYU Steinhardt (& Executive Director of Sony Audio Institute) delivered insights on how businesses are supporting the rising needs of independent artists and how technology supports dynamic changes.

Downtown Music CEO Pieter van Rijn in conversation with NYU Steinhardt’s Larry Miller.

After Downtown Music’s December 2024 announcement of its proposed acquisition of Virgin Music Group, the next step in the company’s journey grows more interesting. Van Rijn and Miller shed light on how a collaboration between Downtown and Virgin will offer diverse tools that benefit the current generation of artists.

DMN TV also covered the one-on-one discussion with RIAA CEO Mitch Glazier and Co-Head of Apple Music, Ole Obermann.

One on One: Apple Music’s Ole Obermann & RIAA’s CEO Mitch Glazier.

The two industry leaders joined heads to discuss the state of the music industry and where it’s headed.

Kickstarting Day Four of Mondo 2025 conference today, Mondo’s tradition of keynote presentations brings together Jem Aswad (Executive Music Editor at Variety) and Elizabeth Matthews (Chief Executive Officer of ASCAP).

The discussion will cover the evolving music business landscape, and its wide-ranging impact on composers, songwriters, lyricists, and music publishers.

The presentation will also cover collective licensing and how ASCAP continuously aims to innovate for the benefit of songwriters, composers, music publishers, and licensees across all media platforms.

Panels taking place today, Friday October 17th at Mondo’s Music & Tech Law Symposium 2025:

Attorneys and industry leaders take on generative AI, valuation, litigation, ethics, contracts, touring, advocacy, superfans, reputation risk, right management, and more.