First Music Conference? Start Here.

First Electric City Music Conference? Maybe your first music conference ever? Start here.

We’ll give you a quick introduction to ECMC, how the weekend works, and how to get the most out of everything happening across Scranton. Learn how to navigate the schedule, discover new artists, find panels and workshops that can actually help you, and make connections without feeling like you have to awkwardly “network.”

We’ll also talk about some of the opportunities people sometimes miss, how to introduce yourself to artists and industry professionals, and why simply showing up, starting conversations and supporting other people can be one of the most valuable parts of the conference.

Whether you’re an artist, DJ, promoter, photographer, producer, music fan or just curious about getting more involved in the scene, this is the perfect place to start.

Come meet a few people, get comfortable and figure out how to make ECMC weekend your own.

Register FREE for Music Conference 101

The Little Things That Could Be Holding Your Band Back

Sometimes it isn’t your songs, your talent or your live show that’s holding you back. Sometimes it’s the little things you don’t even realize you’re doing wrong.

This workshop gets into the basics of being a band or artist that people actually want to work with. We’ll talk about the simple things that are easy to overlook, the mistakes that can quietly cost you shows and opportunities, and the soft skills that can make a huge difference in how promoters, venues, other artists and industry professionals see you.

Are you easy to communicate with? Do you show up prepared? Are you making life harder for the people booking you without realizing it? Are there things about your emails, social media, professionalism, attitude or follow-through that could be getting in your way?

This is a practical, honest conversation about the stuff nobody really teaches you when you start a band.

Bring your questions. Ask about the things you’re unsure of. Learn what you might be doing wrong before it costs you the next opportunity.

Because sometimes getting better at the music business has nothing to do with getting better at music.

Register FREE for What You’re Doing Wrong

How to Market Your Music, Build Your Brand and Grow Your Fanbase

Making great music is only part of building an audience. People need to discover you, remember you and eventually care enough to follow you, stream your music, buy a ticket, grab merch and tell somebody else about you.

Led by Jake Salazar of Fall of the House Productions, this practical workshop explores artist branding, social media, release promotion, audience development, online presence and how to turn casual listeners into actual fans.

You do not need a major-label marketing budget. You need a clear identity, a good story and a reason for people to remember you.

Register FREE for From Artist to Brand

The Importance of a Diverse and Inclusive Music Scene

A healthy music scene should have room for everyone. Make Room is a conversation about diversity, inclusion and representation within local music communities and why creating more opportunities for more voices makes a scene stronger, more creative and more sustainable.

The discussion features Natalie Jurosky of Scranton Girls Rock and Charley Rūde, co-owner of Strange Birds. The conversation looks at barriers in local scenes, meaningful inclusion and how promoters, musicians, venues and fans can create more opportunities for people to participate.

This is not about checking boxes. It is about making the entire scene better by giving more people room to contribute.

Register FREE for Make Room

How to Create Events People Don’t Want to Miss

Why do some events feel like the place everyone needs to be while others struggle to convince people to leave the house? Give Them FOMO is about creating experiences people get excited about before they happen, enjoy while they are there and talk about afterward.

Led by Lancaster-based DJ and musical tastemaker Major Vibes, the workshop explores event concepts, anticipation, audience understanding, promotion without constant spam, memorable moments and turning first-time customers into repeat attendees.

Stop inviting people to another event. Give them a reason to feel like they cannot miss it.

Register FREE for Give Them FOMO

Practical AI Use for Musicians, Promoters and Music Industry Professionals

Building a career in music creates a huge amount of work that has nothing to do with making music: emails, scheduling, booking, research, tour routing, budgets, calendars, follow-ups and logistics.

Let AI Do the Boring Stuff focuses on using artificial intelligence for repetitive and administrative work, not replacing the creativity that makes an artist’s work theirs. The conversation includes research, booking outreach, schedules, tour planning, budgeting, marketing ideas, emails, social planning and organization.

The session also acknowledges real questions around creative ownership, employment, environmental impact and AI’s role in art. The central question is simple: How can we use the technology responsibly without letting the technology replace us?

The workshop is led by Bill Corcoran Jr., founder of OnTheStacks and host of the bcjr Podcast. His philosophy: AI should support the content, not become the content.

Register FREE for Let AI Do the Boring Stuff

Getting Booked, Getting Noticed & Navigating the Scranton Music Scene

Want to play Scranton? Start by understanding Scranton. There is no single way to get booked in Northeastern Pennsylvania because different venues, promoters, audiences and scenes are looking for different things.

This Is Scranton brings together people who book and promote music in different corners of the NEPA scene for an honest conversation about what gets their attention, what belongs in a booking email, how much draw and social media matter, common mistakes, professionalism, promotion, relationships and how to get invited back.

If you are an artist, band or DJ trying to play more shows in Scranton and NEPA, come with questions. Take notes. Introduce yourself afterward.

Register FREE for This Is Scranton

DJ Workshop, Discussion & Networking

For the first time, ECMC is presenting a workshop specifically for DJs, producers and people interested in building a career behind the decks. The inaugural DeeJay Lounge features DJ Image, DJ Hersh and special guest World Champion DJ Ease.

The discussion is designed around the questions DJs actually have, including:

• Getting started and breaking into the industry
• Finding your lane and developing a career
• Nightclub and venue residencies
• Touring, weddings and corporate events
• Music production
• Branding and marketing yourself
• Building industry relationships
• Organizing music libraries, crates and sets
• Creating better performances
• Networking and finding new opportunities

Meet other DJs. Trade ideas. Make connections. Then stick around and experience ECMC nightlife for yourself.

Register FREE for The DeeJay Lounge