• Live music

The Impact of Showcase Festivals on the Development of their Participants

A new study explores the impact of showcase festivals and export offices on the international development of artists and music professionals, with a particular focus on WOMEX.

Over the past two decades, showcase festivals have become key meeting points for the international music sector, bringing together artists, labels, booking agencies, festivals, media and institutions to create opportunities for visibility, networking and cross-border collaboration.

Alongside them, music export offices and other public or hybrid organisations have taken on an increasingly important role in supporting the international circulation of artists and professionals. Together, these actors form an ecosystem shaped by cultural policy, professional development and international exchange.

This study examines the financial and symbolic impact of participation in showcase festivals, focusing on WOMEX as one of the sector’s most prominent examples. Combining quantitative and qualitative data, it looks at the experiences and perceptions of participating professionals and highlights both the benefits and the limitations of these events.

The study also reflects on the challenges of measuring long-term impact and considers how showcase festivals and export structures can continue to support artists and professionals, particularly those from less dominant music markets.