The Digital Resonance panel at The Gateway: Korea, presented by Beatport and Polkadot, started off with an insightful, casual discussion about each speaker’s background. Latasha, the moderator, asked questions ranging from the music industry, Web3, diversity and equity in Web3, and much more. The other panelists included Björn Wagner of Polkadot, Finn Martin of Beatport.io, Matt Medved of nft now, and Mischa Fanghaenel of NACHTS. The session saw a rich blend of perspectives from the five different speakers.
During the panel discussion, the panelists delved into the transformative impact of Web3 on the music industry. Finn Martin voiced his aspirations for the platform Beatport.io. Martin says his vision revolves around the music industry, and he aims to make it more equitable and accessible. His dream is to offer fans an enriched experience, bridging the gap and providing a platform for fans to form deeper connections with their favorite artists. He says the music fan experience should be more accessible and seamless, without the technical hurdles.
Medved brought a fresh perspective on the Web3 space. He shared insights from electronic music producer 3LAU, discussing how artists can harness NFT technology to pinpoint their core fans and offer them exclusive invites to shows. This approach could revolutionize how artists interact with their supporters, eliminating traditional gatekeepers in the process.
The conversation smoothly transitioned to the innovation within under industries, such as the world of photography. Latasha directed the spotlight toward photographer and panelist Mischa Fanghaenel and his work in the field. She also shouted out trailblazers such as Justin Aversano and Diana Sinclair. She emphasized their instrumental role in reshaping and pioneering the domain.
As the discussion transitioned into the business side of creativity, Björn Wagner offered a unique perspective on economic downturns. Wagner admitted that while bear market periods are high-risk and far from ideal, they’re also fertile grounds for innovation. Drawing from history, Martin noted that some of the most successful companies have emerged during economic downturns.
Martin also shared some alpha and revealed that Beatport has established a partnership with one of the globe’s most influential electronic dance artists, to be announced soon. The details of this collaboration remain shrouded in mystery and sparked anticipation from the audience.
The theme of diversity was a focal point in the panel. Latasha probed the panelists for their thoughts on the matter. Artist Mischa Fanghaenel responded passionately, stating that the pursuit of diversity was the driving force behind his foray into art. Medved echoed these sentiments, observing that the Web3 space sometimes appears “too white, too male, and too straight.” He stressed that nft now, being a media entity, bears the responsibility to empower diverse artists and creators. It is imperative, he believes, to actualize this ideal every day.
Martin adds that for Beatport.io, he and his team also have a mission to highlight diversity and empower creators and collectives that are often overlooked. He adds that Beatport.io is currently showcasing the work of LGBTQ+ collective, HeSheThey. The work shows 3-D scans of the performers in the style of a Renaissance painting.
Each speaker, hailing from distinct fields, brought a wealth of knowledge and perspective to the table, ensuring the Digital Resonance panel was not only enlightening. It was not only a testament to the power of diverse thought, but the importance of having leaders who advocate for it in Web3.