The Global Music Conference Built for Connection

Your Roots Are Showing is an international music conference and showcase bringing together artists, industry professionals, festivals, agents, labels, media, and cultural partners from across the world.

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Each year, YRAS becomes a meeting point where conversations turn into touring opportunities, collaborations, partnerships, and long term career development.

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YRAS exists to connect people who shape music’s future.

Why YRAS Exists

Your Roots Are Showing was founded to address a gap within the global music industry.

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While extraordinary artists were emerging across Ireland and beyond, meaningful access to international networks, decision makers, and touring pathways remained limited. Artists often performed in isolation from the industry relationships needed to sustain long term careers.

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YRAS was created to change that.

From the beginning, the vision was simple but ambitious: create a welcoming, artist centred environment where musicians and industry professionals meet as equals, share knowledge openly, and build real working relationships.

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What started as a focused gathering rooted in folk and traditional music has rapidly evolved into a broader global music conference reflecting today’s interconnected industry.

 

What Happens at YRAS

YRAS combines artistic discovery with practical industry engagement.

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Across the conference week participants take part in:

• Official international showcase performances
• Industry panels and professional workshops
• The Gig Fair connecting artists directly with buyers and programmers
• Networking events and cross sector meetings
• Mentorship and knowledge exchange sessions
• City wide music showcases and collaborations
 

The emphasis is always on outcomes.

Artists secure bookings.

Festivals discover new talent.
Partnerships form across borders.

 

A Global Community

YRAS welcomes artists and industry leaders from over 20 countries annually, creating a unique transatlantic meeting space linking Ireland, the UK, Europe, North America, and emerging global markets.

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Delegates include:

• Festival programmers and talent buyers
• Agents and managers
• Record labels and publishers
• Media and broadcasters
• Cultural organisations and tourism partners
• Artists at every career stage

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The conference continues to grow as an international gateway for collaboration between music communities worldwide.

 

Our Mission Today

YRAS works year round to support a healthier and more connected music ecosystem.

Our work focuses on:
 

• Supporting emerging and independent artists
• Creating international touring and export pathways
• Encouraging collaboration across genres and cultures
• Providing access to industry knowledge and networks
• Strengthening connections between music, place, and community

​Beyond conference week, YRAS operates as an ongoing global network through partnerships, educational programmes, and international initiatives.

 

 

Leadership

Charlene Sloan is Co Founder and Executive Director of  YRAS Music Conference, an international music conference and showcase connecting artists and the global music industry through touring, collaboration, and career development opportunities. She is also Co Founder of Lark and Owl Ltd, the production company behind YRAS, working across international conference production, festival development, artist management, and cultural exchange initiatives in Ireland and North America. Having produced music festivals in both the United States and Ireland and currently managing emerging artists, her work focuses on building sustainable international pathways for musicians and industry collaboration.

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​Brendan McCreanor is Co Founder and Creative Director of YRAS Music Conference, an international music conference and showcase connecting artists and the global music industry through collaboration, showcasing, and professional development. He is also Co Founder of Lark and Owl Ltd, the producing company behind YRAS, and works as a musician, teacher, facilitator, festival producer, podcast host, and cultural programmer across Ireland and internationally. In addition to leading artistic programming for YRAS, he serves as a music curator for Louth County Council’s 2026 Culture Night events and works as a hospital musician delivering music within healthcare settings, reflecting a strong commitment to artistic excellence, education, and community engagement.

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Looking Forward

YRAS continues to expand its international partnerships, industry collaborations, and global reach.

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As the music industry evolves, YRAS aims to remain a space where discovery, opportunity, and community meet and where artists and industry professionals build the relationships that shape the future of music.