We are always keeping our eyes and ears open for new festivals popping up on the musical landscape. Section 101 likes to go to as many as we can in a given year - not only is it a great opportunity to talk about S101, but also a terrific chance to learn about what other people are doing. It is nice to catch up with people who do what you do, and who are also passionate about the things you are passionate about. Whether you are a "layman" or an artist, there are usually a lot of terrific networking opportunities available at these type of events, a mix of business and pleasure.

Many of the conferences Section 101 attend have a live element to them, and it's always amazing to catch an act in a small venue that could be at Madison Square Garden the very next year! We've hit SXSW in Austin, CMJ in New York City and New Music Seminar, in both Los Angeles and New York. We had a great time flying to the UK to the now-on-hiatus In the City conference in Manchester, loved spending time with our friends up North at Canada's NXNE conference and met some fun folks at Dewey Beach Music Conference and Festival. For straight up Music Fests, there's Bonnaroo, Ultra Fest, Lollapalooza, Coachella, Glastonbury, and Reading Festival to name a few. Section 101 technology powers the website for Mountain Jam [http://mountainjam.com/], which takes place in the mountains of Woodstock each year. This year's Fest, on June 2-5, featured some amazing music from the world of jam and rock including Bela Fleck, Warren Haynes Band, Gov't Mule, Soulive, North Mississippi Allstars, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, My Morning Jacket and more. Section 101 also powers the Bluestock Music Festival [http://www.bluestock.com/], whose "Peace, Love and Blues" motto was tested during Hurricane Irene! The Fest took place from August 26-28^th at Hunter Mountain and featured artists such as Trombone Shorty, Elvin Bishop, Robert Cray and Buddy Guy.

Dave Lory, our friend and colleague from New Music Seminar, recently launched another exciting music event called "Escape to New York." Dave produced this three-day event in Southampton, NY on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation in August 2011.  The festival had four different locations and included "Glamour Camping," local food vendors, art and cultural activities, in addition to mainstream music and DJ's performing on multiple stages and locations throughout the Hamptons. It was very cool to see someone trying something new and exciting, and a terrific showcase for local musicians.

Even if you can't go to every music festival and conference, it shows the strength of the music industry that more and more pop up each year. We understand you may not be able to hit every one because they're too far to travel too, but don't diminish the smaller, local fests that are taking root each year. It's a great opportunity to meet new people, share ideas and get a chance to perform for people who might not have had a chance to check out one of your gigs otherwise. It's also a great way to support what we love to do- playing, listening and talking about music!