){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
CRE8 2026: Flagship DJ event unveils expert industry panels covering labels, promoters & social media
The one-day experience, created by PLASA and Headliner, will take place on 7 March 2026 at Tileyard North, the northern home of Europe’s largest creative community.
CRE8 is a must-attend industry moment for DJs, producers and self-producing artists, and will welcome internationally renowned DJs, artists and producers for a packed programme of live performances, hands-on tech demos, workshops and high-level industry discussions.
Designed to deliver real-world career insights, the discussions will cover management, labels, promotion, live bookings, representation, social media, and more, giving attendees a behind-the-scenes look at how the modern music industry truly operates.
CRE8 panel discussions include:
The Management Panel
This panel explores the real role of artist management in today’s music industry. Drawing on first-hand experience, the discussion looks at whether artists actually need a manager, how to choose the right one, and the most common management mistakes. The focus is on building sustainable, long-term careers rather than short-term wins.
Speakers:
- Jasmine Igoe - Artist Manager - tsz
- Annie Josephine - Founder - Coalesce / Ex Head of Ultra Records UK
- Lee Haslam - Co-Founder - LGRP
- Kurt Hurst - Co-Founder - You&Me and Hide&Seek
The Label Panel
This presents an inside look at how music labels operate and what they’re really looking for when signing artists. This panel breaks down how releases are developed and scaled, how labels assess long-term potential, and what successful artist–label relationships look like beyond a single release.
Speakers:
- Sam Hutt - Head of A&R, tszr
- Coyrn Brunavs - A&R, Good Company
- George Wyatt - A&R, You&Me
- Omar Khan - Label Co-Founder & Artist Manager, Hyperactive World
- Phil Sagar - A&R, Armada
The Promo Panel
This panel breaks down the growing world of label services and promotion, exploring how artists can access marketing, distribution and campaign support without traditional label deals. Drawing on real-world experience, the discussion will cover how label services work, what promo teams actually do, and how artists can use these tools strategically to build momentum, grow audiences and maximise the impact of each release.
Speakers:
- Jay Ahmed - Head of Promotions - Your Army
- Ben Brindle - Head of Promotions - Helix
More to be announced.
The Promoters Panel
This session focuses on the realities of live bookings and why some artists consistently get booked while others don’t. Venue operators and promoters share insight into what they look for, how artists can stand out, and how to build long-term relationships rather than one-off opportunities.
Speakers:
- Stuart Forsyth - Promoter - Mint Festival & Mint Warehouse
- Kurt Hurst - Co-Founder - You&Me and Hide&Seek
- Steven Braines - Co-Founder - HE. SHE. THEY.
The Agents & Artist Panel
This panel demystifies artist representation, exploring when it makes sense for artists to seek an agent and what agents do that artists can’t easily do on their own. The discussion centres on collaboration, expectations, and building productive relationships that support sustainable career growth.
Speakers:
- Matthew Johnson - Founder - The Pool
- Sally B - Artist
The Social Media Panel
This is a practical discussion on how artists can cut through on social media while maintaining authenticity. The panel explores best practices for building visibility, connecting with audiences, and promoting releases, with a particular focus on short-form platforms such as TikTok.
Speakers:
- Grahame Farmer - Founder - Data Transmission
- Lawrence James - CMO - Crossfader
The Immersive Audio Panel
This forward-thinking panel explores how immersive audio and next-generation hearing technology are reshaping music production, DJ performance and audience experience. From creative possibilities in three-dimensional sound to the practical realities of immersive workflows and formats such as Dolby Atmos, the discussion will examine how innovation across technology, studio craft and artistry is redefining how music is created, heard and experienced.
- Gary Spittle - Founder, Sonical
- Marcela Rada - Founder, Immersive Lounge
- Simon Todkill - Recording and Mix Engineer
- Ace Clvrk - Artist
Click here for the full panel discussions taking place at CRE8.
Alongside the panels, CRE8 will host the Behind the Beat educational series – a four-part masterclass on beatmaking, vocal production, track breakdowns and artist Q&As – streamed live on TikTok LIVE throughout the day.
The event has also partnered with Crossfader to deliver live mixing workshops and open-deck B2B sessions, bringing online DJ education into a real-world setting.
Attendees can expect hands-on access to the latest DJ and music production technology, exclusive goodie bags packed with plugins and resources, discounted student tickets, and prize giveaways, including studio time, professional software and hardware, and festival and concert tickets.
CRE8 will also be supported by a strong lineup of brands and partners, including Audeze, Avonic, Beyerdynamic, Crossfader, Erica Synths, HK Audio, K-array, LD Systems, MAXHUB, Radial Engineering, Sontronics, SoundOn, QSC and Ultimate Support.
“With CRE8, the aim has been to bring the UK electronic scene together in one space – from the artists performing to the key industry figures shaping careers behind the scenes,” said Henry Day, talent & bookings Director for CRE8.
“We’ve been curating the panels, booking the artists, coordinating the brands and working closely with Crossfader to host workshops, ensuring emerging talent get direct access to the people, knowledge and opportunities that matter most. It’s shaping up to be a day where inspiration meets real-world guidance for anyone looking to build a career in electronic music.”
Event details
● Date: 7th March 2026
● Location: Tileyard North, Wakefield
● Tickets: £20 standard entry and £15 concessions, available from cre8dj.com.