Sound.Waves. Announces Full Programme for November Event in Adare
Ireland’s premier conference exploring the intersection of podcasting, music, and live entertainment has unveiled its complete programme for 2026. Sound.Waves. will take place November 10–12 in Adare, Co. Limerick, bringing together content creators, industry innovators, and business leaders to explore how stories, creativity, and commerce converge in modern media.
Opening Night: A Rare Conversation with Rock and Roll History
The conference kicks off in style on Tuesday, November 10th with a fireside chat between Tom Dunne—Chair of IMRO, broadcaster, and frontman of Something Happens—and Dónal Gallagher, the brother and longtime manager of legendary Irish rock musician Rory Gallagher.
Gallagher recently published Edged in Blue: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Odyssey with Rory Gallagher, a first-hand account of managing one of Ireland’s most iconic musicians across three decades of touring, from the Irish showband circuit to 25 North American tours. With a foreword by Joe Bonamassa, the book offers an intimate look at a golden age of live music. This opening conversation represents a rare opportunity to hear these stories directly from the man who lived them, contextualized through the lens of today’s evolving content landscape.
Wednesday: State of the Nation Meets the All-Ireland Podcast Awards
The conference day begins at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11th with a “State of the Nation” session taking the temperature of Ireland’s music, podcast, and live sectors. From there, the agenda turns practical and business-focused.
Core sessions include:
- The Producers: Behind-the-scenes insights into how great shows are made
- Marketing Your Podcast: Strategies for finding and building an audience
- The Money Behind The Shows: Understanding revenue models and financial sustainability
- Sponsorship in Music & Podcasting: Monetization through partnerships
- The Economics of Live: The real costs of producing live events
- Sports Podcasting: A growth sector in the Irish podcast landscape
- AI & Content Creation: Emerging tools and industry implications
- Music, Sync & Publishing: Navigating rights and licensing in the digital age
A keynote interview closes the day at 5:15 p.m., with informal “Stories from the Stage” conversations continuing into the evening.
The All-Ireland Podcast Awards
The inaugural All-Ireland Podcast Awards ceremony marks the highlight of Wednesday evening. The evening begins with a drinks reception at 8:00 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony at 9:00 p.m., celebrating the best in Irish podcasting across multiple categories. The 2026 shortlist will be announced next week, so industry professionals should watch for nominations in their spaces.
Thursday: The Closing Conversation
On Thursday, November 12th, the conference moves to Adare Village for a brunch session titled “Tales from the Frontline of Sports,” which will also look ahead to Adare 2027, when the prestigious Ryder Cup comes to town—a significant moment for both Irish sports and content creation opportunities.
About Sound.Waves.
Sound.Waves. is built on the premise that Ireland is a nation of storytellers. In today’s media landscape, creators, presenters, and musicians have become brands themselves, with their stories serving as valuable currency across platforms.
The conference explores how user-generated content can be better created, monetized, and distributed across multiple platforms and audiences. Whether the focus is a viral podcast, a strategic sync placement, or a fan-first release strategy, Sound.Waves. positions content at the center of the business conversation.
Tickets and Accommodation
Conference tickets are available online. For attendees traveling to Adare, ticket and accommodation packages are available through Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel and Spa—use code SOUNDWAVES for exclusive discounted rates.
For further information about Sound.Waves. and the All-Ireland Podcast Awards, visit www.soundwaves.ie or follow @soundwavesirl on social media.
Source: Podwires Newsletter
