The Sherp uncovers some behind-the-scenes activity that the producers and artists indulge in.
As we move from summer to autumn, the attention of the music industry drifts from the festival arena towards music conferences. Networking, meetings and debates take over the industryβs collective conscience. The purpose is to give you a chance to make new contacts, stay abreast with the trends of the industry and hear the latest artists doing the buzz around.
The Sherp picks the top 5 music conventions that are important dates in the music industry calendar.
1.Β Winter Music Conference (WMC)
Where: Miami, Florida
When: March
This week-long electronic music convention is held is being held every March in Miami since 1985. Hosting around 100,000 people, this event is aimed at DJs, artists, producers, promoters, record label representatives, radio and the media. The event celebrations take place across Miami Beach and Downtown Miami. The International Dance Music Awards (IDMA) and Ultra Music Festival are major events. The IDMA draws around 38% attendees outside of the United States! It was namedΒ βone of the most anticipated clubbing events in the countryβΒ by The New York Times due to its magnitude and popularity. Over 500 individual events take place during the week of the conference!
2.Β Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE)
Where: Amsterdam, Netherlands
When: October
Europeβs largest international club festival and leading electronic music platform, this event is spanned over five days and is held annually in mid-October. Offering a whole gamut of electronic sub-genres, it features 350 events that are spread across 75 clubs and venues in Amsterdam. Apart from showcasing the biggest DJs on the planet, it also highlights some of the best upcoming talent. The daytime conferences make ADE a critical platform for dialogue and debate in the field of electronic music. And yes, the ADE also hosts the prestigious annual award ceremony of the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs Poll!
3.Β International Music Summit (IMS)
Where: Ibiza, Spain
When: May
Regarded as one of the most important music industry gatherings in the world, the IMS was founded by Pete Tong. The event marks the beginning of the Ibiza season. It is considered a direct competitor to Miamiβs Winter Music Conference. Started in 2008, it is a distinguished conference attended by the global industry leaders from the dance music realm along with a week of the most spectacular parties on the island. Dance music legend and founder, Pete Tong, describes it asΒ βan intense networking environment with the glamour and glitz of my favorite party island of Ibiza, but with a Back to Business ethos and leading into the official Ibiza opening party weekend.β
4.Β Electronic Music Conference (EMC)
Where: Carriageworks, Sydney
When: November – December
Electronic Music Conference is Asia-Pacificβs largest gathering of dance music leaders that takes place in Sydney. Founded in 2012, the event saw 400 delegates from across the world. Also present were dance musicβs influential figures like Tiesto, Diplo and Ash Pournouri (Aviciiβs manager) among many others. The inaugural event included a packed program of panels and keynote interviews dissecting and discussing the worldβs dance music industry. This yearβs edition will take place in the first week of December.
5.Β The Great Escape Festival
Where: Brighton and Hope, England
When: May
Since 2006, this festival has been a growing component in the music industry calendar. This 3-day music festival is held every year in May and showcases fresh music from a variety of genres like acoustic, hip-hop, punk rock, techno, and a lot more. It hosts about 300 bands across 30 venues spread across the city. The music convention section of the event is attended by over 3000 delegates. A further strand of unofficial shows is βThe Alternative Escapeβ which is an addition to the main festival.