4 Music Startups To Watch in 2018: Tech Open Air edition.

Antonio TalaricoAnnouncements, GeneralLeave a Comment

Volareo is back from a great few days at Tech Open Air, Berlin. As with many tech festivals, music startups abounded. Among those present were music industry blockchain startups, composition platforms and live hubs. These are the Music Startups of 2018.

Spotify Alternatives

Viberate - music startupsThe pool of Spotify alternatives is growing. Choon is a music streaming service and digital payments ecosystem swimming within it. Neil Barber, of the company, shared music industry insights. He also went through Choon’s business model and roadmap in detail. Their BETA is now running and their tokens will be on sale in five days time.

Viberate tackles the entire live music ecosystem, decentralising booking processes with blockchain technology. It acts as a sort of IMDB for live music, where it ranks profiles according to online popularity. Their aim is to become the biggest global talent marketplace. They also intend to revolutionise the way musicians’ live profiles look.

Press your play own play button

Two interactive apps, Skoove and JAMBL, were also at the festival. Skoove offers hundreds of online piano lessons for beginner, intermediate, and advanced players. It gives real-time feedback, so that learners improve faster. You can use a piano or keyboard, or if you don’t have either, an iPad or iPhone connected to the internet.

Meanwhile, JAMBL is a music composition tool where the focus is on collaboration. A user does not need any musical or technical knowledge to use the app (their algorithm even keeps you in tune). Users can share creations online or in-app, get on the user charts and take part in competitions.

Startup ENDEL, generates sound environments for different personal and public spaces. These sound environments can help users focus, relax or sleep. One can create feelings of comfort and safety at home, or a focused work environment.

Unsigned artist promotion

On top of the Redbull-branded bus was the Småll Sounds stage. It had its very own sound environment and was alive with the Tech Open Air Red bullsound of new music. An artist who graced its stage was independent German/British singer-songwriter, Emily Roberts. Like many, she obsesses over unsigned artist promotion and new ways to connect with her fans. Emily thinks that artists need more education about the benefits of blockchain platforms. The benefits are somewhat new also to her, but she can see herself among blockchain musicians.

Meditation was a large part of the festival programme. Google live-streamed some sessions at its stage, while some took place outside. They were a welcome break from the hustle and bustle at Funkhaus. I imagine they also stimulated a few revolutionary ideas among the tech-y festival-goers. Until next year TOA.

 

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