I attended an engaging forum last night entitled “The Remix: revolutionising the music industry from the ground up”, which took place in the Tavern Room, The RSA, London WC2
The Remix brings together industry changemakers, creative business leaders and talent for an evening of bold conversations, cross-generational skill sharing, and groundbreaking ideas for artist-led business models.
The event kicked off with an invite-only roundtable, where key music figures and emerging talent exchanged insights and ideas on building sustainable career pathways in music. A dynamic changemaker panel followed, discussing the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the industry. The night culminated in a live music and networking session, featuring the marvellous Lynsey Shaw – who also acted as host throughout the evening – and the award winning Hannah White.
Lynsey Shaw began her career with chart success in the pop group Girls@Play and now fronts Urban Cookie Collective, performing at major European festivals. Her entrepreneurial ventures include the Electric Dolls, a Live Nation-backed festival act, and innovative projects in LA blending music, film, and storytelling. As a leader at Big Finish Recordings, she has helped pioneer immersive entertainment formats. Lynsey is a champion of artist-led change, particularly in response to structural challenges facing the live music industry.
The panellists:
Maarten Walraven – Music X / Symphony.live
At the intersection of music, tech, education, and community, Maarten Walraven is co-CEO of Symphony.live and a lecturer in music business at Utrecht University. He is also the editor of MUSIC x, a popular newsletter exploring innovation, audience engagement, and new models in music. His work is grounded in a belief that the right sound and story can connect people across any divide.
Hannah White – Sound Lounge CIC
A critically acclaimed British singer-songwriter, Hannah White blends Americana, folk, and country with deeply personal storytelling. Her 2023 album Sweet Revolution, produced by Michele Stodart (The Magic Numbers), touches on themes of resilience, social justice, and personal growth, with collaborators like Beth Rowley and Ricky Ross. In January 2025, she received UK Artist and UK Album of the Year from the Americana Music Association UK. She is also a passionate advocate for grassroots venues and co-founder of Sound Lounge CIC, a live music space and social enterprise.
Jack Abraham – Artist Manager, Promoter, Educator, Entrepreneur
Jack Abraham is known for founding the acclaimed Kansas Smitty’s venue, a vital space in the UK jazz and independent music scene that featured artists like Thundercat, Ezra Collective, and Lianne La Havas. During the pandemic, he launched KSTV, a pioneering live streaming platform, and has since collaborated with international initiatives like Thunderboom Records to support ethical AI tools for artists. He currently lectures at institutions including BIMM, ICMP, Guildhall, and the University of Westminster, helping shape future-facing music business education.
Gill Tee – Black Deer Festival / Black Deer Radio
With a background in radio and large-scale event production, Gill Tee has been a driving force in the UK music industry for decades. From launching Party in the Park with Capital Radio to creating the genre-celebrating Black Deer Festival, Gill has consistently championed Americana music and social impact. Through Black Deer Live and Black Deer Radio, she is expanding opportunities for emerging artists year-round. Her work with Supajam also reflects a long-standing commitment to youth empowerment through music education and experience.
Sophie Brownlee – External Affairs, Music Venue Trust
Sophie Brownlee leads on external affairs at Music Venue Trust, a UK charity dedicated to protecting, securing, and improving grassroots music venues. Her work focuses on advocacy, industry engagement, and policy change to ensure a sustainable future for grassroots music. Through campaigns and policy leadership, she helps amplify the voice of small venues at both national and local levels, ensuring they are recognised as vital cultural infrastructure.
It was also a pleasure to meet pianist, bassist, singer, and actress Alice Offley during the networking session.
The photo shows Hannah and her husband, guitarist Keiron.
An excellent event.
