THE ROLE OF THE CURATOR: WHAT DO TASTEMAKERS AND MUSIC DISCOVERY LOOK LIKE IN 2026 AND BEYOND?

Moderator: Jamie Muir (Dork Magazine, Zeitgeist, UK)

Speakers: Alan Pedder (The Needle Drop, The Line of Best Fit, UK/SE), Emily Pilbeam (BBC Radio 6, UK), Rhian Daly (NME, UK), Thomas Smith (Billboard UK, UK)

Topic info: The role of the curator has never been more complex. Editorial teams, streaming platforms, music journalists and digital communities all help shape what we hear, and what we miss. As technology transforms the way audiences discover music, this panel examines how curation is evolving, who today's tastemakers are, and what the future of music discovery might look like.

Date: Friday 11.09.2026
Time: 14:15 - 15:00
Venue: Azimut