By Valerie Milano
Anaheim, CA (The Hollywood Times) 1/23/26 – By Friday, the pulse of The NAMM Show is unmistakable. The aisles are humming with possibility, stages echo with discovery, and conversations move easily from bold ideas to practical next steps. Day Three leans hard into education and live music, an energizing blend that reminds attendees why NAMM remains the industry’s most influential gathering.
The morning kicked off with a NAMM U breakfast session that set the tone for the day. Futurist and author Mike Walsh challenged the room to rethink transformation, not as a tidy checklist, but as a living process driven by brave decisions. His message resonated with entrepreneurs and legacy brands alike: progress favors those willing to question assumptions and act with intention.
As the show floor opened, education tracks continued to draw packed rooms. A standout panel on the future of recording studios examined whether today’s rapid changes signal opportunity, crisis, or both. Featuring industry veterans like Rick Beato, the discussion tackled sustainability, evolving business models, and what it really takes to thrive in a shifting landscape. Elsewhere, touring professionals shared hard-earned insights on building successful tour runs, offering practical guidance for artists and managers navigating life on the road.
Friday also highlighted NAMM’s commitment to community and inclusion. Women of NAMM session is encouraging reflection and balance, while mentorship and networking events for young professionals and college students will create real pathways into the industry. These quieter rooms are just as impactful as the loudest stages, places where careers will shape one conversation at a time.
And then there is the music. With eight stages active throughout the day, Bands at NAMM deliver a genre-spanning soundtrack, from indie folk and bedroom pop to metal, jazz fusion, and hip-hop–rooted projects. Guitar phenom Matteo Mancuso plans to draw a crowd at the Yamaha Grand Plaza Stage, while emerging and established artists alike will turn hotel lobbies and outdoor plazas into must-see showcases. The sheer range of talent will underscore NAMM’s role as both a trade show and a discovery engine.
As evening will approach, conversations will turn to what’s next. Saturday promises a Grand Rally for Music Education and the always-anticipated Best in Show announcements, along with a major matching-gift initiative benefiting The NAMM Foundation, proof that the event’s legacy is as much about the future as it is about celebrating 125 years of history.
By the end of Day Three, one thing will be clear: NAMM 2026 isn’t slowing down. It’s accelerating, powered by bold ideas, shared knowledge, and a global music community that continues to show up, tune in, and play on.
