On Air Fest returns February 24-26

Exploring storytelling and creativity in sound, the next installation of On Air Fest will be presented in person¹ on February 24-26, 2022 at Wythe Hotel (80 Wythe Ave at N. 11th Street, Brooklyn). The annual gathering – often described as the “Sundance of Audio”– brings together creators and industry notables from audio and podcasting for two days of live storytelling, intimate conversations, performances, art exhibitions, listening parties, and more. The festival will unfold in a range of spaces in the Wythe Hotel including its main hall, screening room, performance suites, restaurants and bars.

On Air Fest is the brainchild of work x work, a storytelling and branding agency composed of audio creators in their own right. Now in its sixth year, the festival continues to carve out a place for artists and storytellers who are defining this moment in audio, as well as the curious listeners who enthusiastically engage with the content. This 2022 incarnation will feature many of the biggest names in audio and podcasting including Design Matters’ Debbie Millman, Everything is Alive’s Ian Chillag, For Colored Nerds’ Eric Eddings, Object of Sound’s Hanif Abdurraqib, Hot Pod’s Ashley Carman, and the talent behind The Moth, Dustlight Productions, Cultured Mag, Talkhouse, and more.

In addition, Radiolab’s Jad Abumrad will receive the prestigious On Air Fest 2022 Audio Vanguard Award, the annual award highlighting an individual who has fostered a creative legacy in audio storytelling. Joining the ranks of previous Audio Vanguard Award honorees, Terry Gross (2021) and Ira Glass (2020), Abumrad is lauded for his innovative work as co- founder of the beloved radio program, which marks its 20th anniversary in 2022.

“On Air Fest has grown into a inspiring event for anyone interested in the culture of sound - thanks to the incredible mix of industry folks, fans, and creators who participate, as well as the high energy exchange of ideas generated,” says Scott Newman, founder and creative director of work x work, the agency presenting On Air Fest. “Things that happen here win awards, spark conversations, and continue to reverberate throughout the year. We’re excited to see what emerges from this year’s festival.”

“Our approach is to seek out experimental, innovative, and distinctive voices” says Jemma Rose Brown, Director of Programming at work x work. “We don’t believe in there being a ‘best’ podcast, instead we’re always curious about meeting and showcasing creators who are bringing unique contributions to the medium.”

The 2022 On Air Fest lineup includes:

• A live story performed by Radiolab’s co-host Latif Nasser
• A performance from Everything Is Alive, in which creator Ian Chillag asks profound and unexpected questions of an inanimate object in Wythe Hotel’s Main Hall
• Design Matters live – Debbie Millman in conversation with a creative luminary
• An exclusive preview of How to Tell A Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth (Crown, April 26, 2022), the new book by The Moth featuring members of the artistic team behind the Peabody Award-winning Moth Radio Hour and The Moth Podcast
• MacArthur Genius Hanif Abdurraqib hosts a live rendition of the popular music podcast Object of Sound – the show from Sonos – presented in collaboration with BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music)
• Talkhouse podcast returns to the On Air Fest stage – where they previously recorded their Webby Award-winning live episode – for another provocative pairing of artists and thinkers
• The stage debut of SFMoMA’s podcaster-in-residence, audio artist Babette Thomas
• A live taping of Cultured Magazine’s podcast Points of View with host Sienna Fekete
• The Spotify VIP Talent Lounge hosts 2022 participants and partners at the festival, serving up drinks and hospitality for the creative vanguard in audio
• The flagship Saturday networking breakfast, hosted by Stitcher, features panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline and a fireside chat with Eric Eddings, Director of Lifestyle Podcasts & co-host of For Colored Nerds, with Jazmine Henley-Brown, Executive Producer of the More Sauce podcast label
• Presenting Sponsor and Program Partner Audible will showcase performers, producers and content initiatives each day of the festival, and co-host the exclusive On Air Fest 2022 launch party on the evening of Thursday, Feb 24th
• Plus, On Air Fest 2022 kicks off with the return of the Hot Pod Summit, the invitation- only podcast industry gathering, hosted by Ashley Carman, Editor of Hot Pod, the arbiter of all things audio, and co-organized by The Verge

Event details:

Where: Wythe Hotel (80 Wythe Ave. at N.11th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn) When: February 24-26, 2022

Tickets: $149 day pass (Friday or Saturday). $249 two day pass. $499 VIP pass. Full schedule/additional information here.

2022 Presenting Sponsors include: Audible, Spotify & Stitcher.

Program Partners include: WNYC Studios, Radiotopia, Sonos, BAM, The Moth, Cultured, Audible, Talkhouse, Dustlight Productions, Hot Pod, The Verge and Vox Media Podcast Network.

All programming will be presented live at Wythe Hotel, the Brooklyn-based boutique hotel known for its commitment to culture, food, and community.

ABOUT ON AIR FEST

On Air Fest is the premier cultural event for audio creatives and inspired listeners. Coming into its sixth year in 2022, the flagship festival in Brooklyn features over 100 artists who bring forward innovative ideas and present new work. On Air Fest is the only festival of its kind exploring the art of sound, podcasts and storytelling.

Past headliners include Ira Glass,Terry Gross, Yo-Yo Ma, Leon Bridges, On Being’s Krista Tippett, Frances Ford Coppola, Talib Kweli, Black Thought, Roxane Gay, Jenny Slate, Laurie Anderson, Ben Folds, Wyatt Cenac, The Daily’s Michael Barbaro and more.

1: The event will comply with all local, state and federal recommendations and protocols