Winter Music Conference is adding a new on-site discovery format for 2026 with the A&R Pop-Up Lounge, and it was built for one thing: getting unreleased music in front of label decision makers in person. From March 24 – 26, 2026 in Downtown Miami, WMC badge holders can meet directly with label A&R teams and hand off USB demos during short meet-and-greet sessions.
The first wave of participating labels includes Ultra Records, Create Music Group with mau5trap, Monstercat, !K7, and Cr2 Records, plus Balance Music, BroBot Records w/ Junior Sanchez, Dirty Workz, Experts Only, with more to be announced.
This lounge is made in partnership with Label Radar, and if you have used their platform then you already know the point: reduce friction between artists and labels, then make the submission process easier to manage on both sides.
Today, Raphael Pujol (who has spoken at ADE and other top-level industry conferences) from the Label Radar team contributed a concise set of demo and relationship guidelines that align closely with how A&R teams actually work when they have limited time and high volume.
If you plan to be in Miami for WMC, treat these tips as your pre-meeting checklist so you show up prepared and you respect the time on the other side of the table.
The key theme behind Raphael’s notes is practical execution, as it covers label research, track selection, link etiquette, follow-up timing, and the basic workflow details that are often forgotten after the meeting ends. If you want a real shot at a response, bring finished music, send concise batches, share private streaming links with downloads enabled, and communicate like someone a label can schedule around. Pair that with in-person time at the A&R Pop-Up Lounge and you get a clear plan for WMC week: show up, make the handoff easy, then follow through in a way that keeps the door open.
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8 Tips To Get Your Music Signed By Label A&Rs
1. Research The Label
Make sure your sound actually fits the label’s identity. Sending hard techno to a soulful house imprint just shows you haven’t done your homework, and you may end up wasting time.
2. Send Your Best Work
Don’t send unfinished ideas or “almost there” tracks. If you wouldn’t play it in your own set, it’s not ready for a label and you will not be taken seriously, let alone hear back from the label.
3. Keep It Concise
3 or 4 strong tracks are better than ten average ones. A&R teams are busy and go through a lot of content — make it easy for them to say yes.
4. Use Private Streaming Links
Send private SoundCloud or Dropbox links — not attachments. Make sure downloads are enabled, and files are clearly labelled.
5. Be Patient & Professional
Labels receive hundreds of demos. If you don’t hear back, don’t spam — follow up once, politely, after a few weeks.
6. Build Real Connections
Engage with the label. Support their releases. Show up to events. Getting signed often starts long before the demo lands.
7. Feedback Is A Gift
If an A&R gives you notes, that’s an opportunity. The artists who grow are the ones who listen.
8. Think Long-Term
Getting signed isn’t just about one release — it’s about building trust, relationships, and a career.
9. Be Easy To Work With
Professional communication, quick replies, and organised files. Labels remember artists who make their lives easier.
The post Label Radar x Winter Music Conference: Raphael Pujol’s Demo Tips For Getting Signed In 2026 appeared first on Magnetic Magazine.