*Radio/Industry Attendees Only

TUESDAY, MAY 5

4:30 PM  

Registration open *

5:00 PM – 6:45 PM  

Opening Night Party*
Sponsored by ATO / Red Light Management

EVENING SHOWCASES (7pm-11pm)

The Lounge / PRX Stage – upstairs 

RYAN BINGHAM
FRIKO
TELEHEALTH
STEPHEN WILSON JR.

The Music Hall / NPR Stage – downstairs

 THE HOOTERS
MOLLY TUTTLE
ARLO PARKS
TYLER BALLGAME

 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6

Coffee and breakfast snacks available starting at 9 AM. 

9:00 AM  

Registration open*

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM – meeting (The Lounge - upstairs)

GIMME THREE STEPS* 
Moderated by Roger LaMay (General Manager (WXPN)
Panelists: Allison Vanyur (Program Office, Public Radio Bridge Fund), Mark Keefe (General Manager/Program Director, WNRN), Jordan Lee (Executive Director, Radio Milwaukee), Sonali Mehta (Executive Director, NPR Music), 
What are the most important steps stations can take to increase impact and financial viability in a changing public radio music landscape. We’ll hear from a range of folks that will suggest each three essential moves to be made.

10:45 AM - 11:45 AM – meeting (The Lounge - upstairs)

PROGRAMMING #1 LOCAL*
Engaging and supporting your local music community. We’ll hear from stations about their local music initiatives.

11:30 AM (The Lounge – upstairs) 

Lunch*

12:00 PM-12:55 PM – Free At Noon (The Music Hall / NPR Stage - downstairs)

BEBE STOCKWELL 

RHIANNON GIDDENS

1:15 PM - 2:15 PM – meeting  (The Lounge - upstairs)

AI - IT'S HERE: NOW WHAT?*
When and where should we use it in on-air, on our digital platforms to behind-the-scenes in our business processes, and what will audiences think about it.

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM –  (The Lounge - upstairs)

WORLD CAFE® INTERVIEW WITH DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE*
Hosted by World Cafe® host Raina Douris

4:00 PM – 8:00 PM  

Open Dinner Period

EVENING SHOWCASES (8 PM - 11 PM)

The Lounge / PRX Stage– upstairs 

WEIRD NIGHTMARE
CARDINALS
FANTASTIC CAT

The Music Hall / NPR Stage– downstairs

BLESSING JOLIE
KEVIN MORBY
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE

 

THURSDAY, MAY 7

Coffee and breakfast snacks available starting at 9 AM. 

9:00 AM  

Registration open* 

9:3O AM - 10:30 AM– meeting  (The Lounge - upstairs)

RETHINKING ARTIST DEVELOPMENT IN NONCOMMERCIAL RADIO*
Moderated by Kyle Hauser
Panelists: David Safar (The Current & Carbon Sound Minneapolis), Element Everest-Blanks (HYFIN Milwaukee), Chris Kellogg (KEXP Seattle), Liza Levy (Salt Lick)
Artist Development is often considered part of a station’s mission. In the summer of 2025, a hands-on summit hosted by the Music District brought stations together to explore practical applications and effective programming. The summit modeled artist development in real time through two writing camps: one with Concord Music and Soundsync Music focused on sync licensing, and another with Salt Lick Incubator centered on traditional artist songwriting. Industry experts and working musicians advised stations as they developed pilot initiatives tailored to their communities and capacity. This session will highlight key themes, practical examples, and early concepts that emerged from the summit, and open a conversation about how stations might approach Artist Development in ways that align with their goals and resources.

10:45 AM - 11:45 AM– meeting  (The Lounge - upstairs)

ONE ON ONE WITH BRANDON FLOWERS* 
Lead singer of The Killers premieres and talks with World Cafe's® Raina Douris about his career and new solo album.

11:30 AM (The Lounge – upstairs) 

Lunch*

12:00 PM-12:55 PM – Free At Noon (The Music Hall / NPR Stage - downstairs)

MON ROVÎA
MEDIUM BUILD

1:15 PM - 2:15 PM– meeting  (The Lounge - upstairs)

BURNING QUESTIONS WITH JIM MCGUINN (WXPN)
Can we build our own hits? How much “pop” should we lean into? How do you value Spotify and streaming in your decision making? Do charts still matter? Generational hand off of talent and audiences? What’s after boomers? It’s a question about the audience and the talent? Are formats dead? (the impact of the streaming ecosystem)

2:30 PM - 3:45 PM– meeting  (The Lounge - upstairs)

NON-COMMVERSATION WITH ANI DIFRANCO*
Hosted by Dan Reed, WXPN
Dan Reed talks with Ani Difranco, and Ani answers your questions!

3:45 PM – 8:00 PM  

Open Dinner Period 

EVENING SHOWCASES (8 PM - 11 PM)

The Lounge / PRX Stage– upstairs 

ALEX AMEN
BUFFALO TRAFFIC JAM
FREAK SLUG
THE ANIMEROS

The Music Hall / NPR Stage – downstairs

BROTHER WALLACE
HANNAH COHEN
BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE

 

FRIDAY, MAY 8

Coffee and breakfast snacks available starting at 9 AM. 

9:00 AM  

Registration open 

10:00 AM - 10:15 AM

Recognition of the NON-COMM honorarium, and announcement of this year’s “Rita Houston Spirit Of NON-COMM” recipient.

10:00 AM - 11:45 AM – meeting  (The Lounge - upstairs)

The Music Meeting

12:00 PM-12:55 PM – Free At Noon (The Music Hall / NPR Stage - downstairs)

GAIL ANN DORSEY
HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER

 

Schedule subject to change.