MONO returns to San Francisco November 13-14, 2026

MONO, formerly Music Expo, is set for November 13-14, 2026 at The Midway in San Francisco with more than 750 music creators expected. The conference is expanding its mentoring and AI programming while keeping masterclasses, panels, performances, and gear demos at the center of the event.

Why it matters: - MONO is positioning itself as a major West Coast gathering for music creators, with direct access to education, gear, mentors, and industry decision-makers. - The 2026 event expands one-on-one mentoring and AI coverage, two areas that reflect how fast music careers and music-making tools are changing. - More than 750 music creators are expected to attend for two days of connection, creativity, and career growth.

What happened: - MONO, formerly Music Expo, will return to The Midway in San Francisco on November 13-14, 2026. - The conference is presented by Focusrite Group and produced in association with Sound On Sound Magazine. - Headliners announced so far are Toby Gad, Kara Moreno, and Mike Fink. - Additional artists and industry figures will be announced in the coming weeks. - Early bird tickets are on sale now starting at $69 on the MONO website and Tixr. - Every early bird ticket buyer is automatically entered to win a Novation Bass Station II Swifty Edition, with more giveaways to come.

The details: - Returning programming includes artist masterclasses and workshops in music production, songwriting, and audio mixing. - Panels and keynotes will cover artist branding, social media, distribution, legal topics, sync licensing, gaming, booking, and touring. - DJ performances will run throughout both days and activate The Midway’s outdoor patio. - Pass the Aux feedback sessions will give attendees live, structured critique from A&Rs, music supervisors, and songwriters. - The gear and technology exhibition will return and, for the first time, stretch across the full two-day conference. - New office hours will offer first-come, first-served one-on-one mentoring with booking agents, music supervisors, brand and manufacturer representatives, social media experts, and music lawyers. - Mentors will rotate hourly during the office hours sessions. - A full AI track will cover AI ethics and rights, creative tools for producers and songwriters, and how creators can use new technologies without losing the human element. - Attendees will be able to test products from ADAM Audio, Focusrite, Novation, Sequential, and Oberheim through demos and workshops. - DistroKid will curate a fireside chat featuring artists using the platform to grow audiences. - Neon Owl will curate a series of music industry panels. - Game Audio Institute, Envelop SF, Women’s Audio Mission, California Lawyers of The Arts, and StudioX are also joining as partners with programming contributions to be announced. - Granola AI is the official AI notepad for the conference.

Between the lines: - The event’s return to The Midway signals that MONO is doubling down on a venue and format that attendees responded to well. - The added mentoring track suggests the conference is trying to move beyond inspiration and into practical career help. - The full AI track reflects an industry-wide effort to treat AI as both an opportunity and a risk for creators. - Focusrite Group’s third straight year as presenting sponsor shows continued commercial backing for the event. - Sound On Sound is leaning into MONO as a key in-person education hub for the West Coast music production community and beyond.

What’s next: - MONO says more speakers, brands, and programming details will be announced in the coming weeks. - Ticket sales are already open, and early buyers can enter the giveaway pool immediately. - The conference will continue building out partner-led sessions as the November event approaches.

The bottom line: - MONO is coming back with a bigger emphasis on hands-on learning, mentoring, and emerging tech, while keeping its core mix of performances, panels, and gear access intact. - For more information, visit the conference website.