we were at the m4music festival in zurich!

and here’s everything you need to know about it!

Written by Anna H.C. and Tarun S.

Open Air stage at the M4Music Festival

Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or outside of Switzerland), you’ve probably heard of M4Music, the largest annual pop music and networking festival, held in Zürich, Switzerland, sponsored by Migros, where the future sound of music comes alive. When we received our invite as media, we knew that we couldn’t pass up such a great opportunity. Our first impression when entering the site was that we were in the right place. As our first-ever festival as media, this meant a lot to us and really proved why we do what we do. 

The festival was one of the best spots to attend networking events and get to know people in the industry. We spoke to multiple professionals who have been in the industry for a while, as well as new and upcoming singers, which led to a lot of meaningful connections. While some conversations were generic, others really stayed with us. One thing someone told us that has stuck with us afterwards was, that we are the future of the music industry. And we gladly claim that. It supports and empowers our vision and dreams and is exactly what we are rooting for.

If we dive deeper into the networking part of the festival, one of our favourite events was the SWISS BUSINESS BLENDER – QUIZ ‘N’ DOGS, which was a music-related quiz that also enabled networking and offered free, delicious hot dogs. The vibe was chill, and the people were chatty. The event kicked off with a quiz that felt a bit chaotic, but in a fun way. Each group had to guess together the correct answers to the music trivia. Everyone had the opportunity to get a small prize like chips or a beanie, and the winners got vinyl records. The moderator was also very entertaining and funny, which added to the chill atmosphere. This event helped people connect with others in a real and authentic way, with the quiz being a natural icebreaker. Whether they were artists, PR teams, or other professionals, we had interesting conversations. In addition we also had the honor to attend an event for one of the largest festivals in the country, which was an incredible experience. 

But M4Music wasn't just networking, it also had a lineup that featured such great diversity that it truly represented the full scope of the music scene. From Paula Engels’ German indie pop to Glitchbaby’s hyperpop or Dibby’s French “GLAMRAP,” there was something for everyone, no matter their nationality or orientation. We attended open-air shows of artists such as Lilac Attitude while also visiting Moods, Halle, and Box. We couldn't point out a favorite show we visited during the festival, as they were all as good as each other. We also had the chance to interview Mary Middlefield, glitchBABY, and Dibby at the festival. More on these interviews will come soon, so stay tuned.

M4Music Festival is more than just a lineup of performances; it’s where rising artists are given the chance to step into the spotlight, which aligns with our statement as a magazine: giving artists a platform to express themselves. From intimate live sets like Kayla Shyx, who had quite a fanbase, to interesting panels and career-changing opportunities, every moment felt like you were standing right at the pulse of the Swiss music industry, even if you weren't well known. As an indie/pop music magazine, we gained deeper insight into the industry, connected with new people, and interviewed more singers for our upcoming issue, as well as reconnected with people we’ve already worked with.

Whether you were there to feel the music or become part of the industry, M4Music isn’t just a festival, it’s a glimpse into the future of music. We also had a couple of fans and professionals who recognized our magazine, which made us a bit emotional!

As a personal side note, we would like to add that we can't fully express all the excitement we had before and during the festival.

Thank you to Sarah Baumgartner for the coordination!