We've been harking on about this 'IMS' for a while now, as you may have noticed - it's an event we get to go along to and have our mind blown by various impressive people as they talk about the industry and electronic music as a whole. Normally we have these conversations in the club, missing 75% of what the person in your ear just screamed at you, forcing you to just respond with a smile and some well timed "yeah's"... and then you don't remember any of it the next day anyway. So, the Ibiza International Music Summit kicks off proper on Wednesday 22nd May and, speaking for myself, I shall be shaving my lacklustre 'beard' right off in preparation for all the chin stroking I'll be doing.
The International Music Summit is essentially a gathering of like minded people who have an interest in the development and understanding of the electronic dance music scene. Not only is it a chance for dance music enthusiasts to meet people and discuss important topics within the scene, but also it is a chance for artists, label managers, PR agencies and a whole host of people from different backgrounds to get together and help take the next step together. Each year takes on a different theme, last years being 'connections count', whilst this year the focus is 'beyond the boom boom'. You probably feel a little daft saying that phrase, but the meaning is simple - where does dance music go now that it has expanded into mainstream culture?
Last years edition of the International Music Summit was undeniably the best one yet, with a lineup of artists and industry heads that would be hard to improve upon anywhere or anytime, but the team behind the conference and parties have somehow managed to do just so. The IMS is a collaborative effort from Radio 1 DJ and island resident Pete Tong, media and management don Ben Turner, man behind the latest island club 'Bomba' Danny Whittle, manager of all things club and artist related Mark Netto and production company 'The Shop' owner Simeon Friend - all combining to be a powerful and influencial group of people.
The conference's main home is the Ibiza Gran Hotel, just around the corner from Pacha, with events going on around the hotel from around late morning until late evening from Wednesday 22nd until Friday 31st May. It is pretty difficult to look through the full schedule and see what you shouldn't miss. But there are a few definites, for which I'll talk you through day by day.
Wednesday 22nd May.
A relatively easy run to kick start the conference after the introduction and announcements from all the IMS partners, with the mood changing quickly towards business! The IMS Business Report last year revealed for the first time that the dance music industry is worth around 3.1 billion Euros, so to educate yourself on the nitty gritty facts and figures this session is really worth staying around for. The first keynote address is from Ultra Records and Sony Music bossman Patrick Moxey. The two companies announced back in january that they would be embarking upon a 'strategic alliance' to further their influence on the scene and Patrick will no doubt fill us all in on that one, as these two together pack some serious power. The 'changing face of Ibiza' panel, presented by Resident Advisor, will showcase the thoughts and feelings of some of the islands most prominent club figures from Sankeys to Ushuaïa, and the keynote interview of Bob Lefsetz by Pete Tong. Bob is famous for his blog 'The Lefsetz Letter', where he spends his time being both critical and analytical of the music industry.
Thursday 23rd May.
Big, big day this one! Nile Rogers, man behind pretty much every decent track you or your Mum and Dad have ever liked, will be interviewed by Pete Tong as they talk about that Daft Punk album, and more. Following that will be the RA:Exchange live with the story of Circoloco and DC10 through the mouths of the promoters involved - Andrea Pelino and Antonio. Then we have something for the trance fans as Paul Van Dyk is interviewed in full expect an open and frank account of all topics covered. Around mid-afternoon time will see Nile Rogers and Eats Everything present their production of this years IMS Anthem - guaranteed tunes right there. At IMS 2012, Nile Rogers exclusively revealed he had been working on the new Daft Punk album (have you heard about that btw?), and there is no doubting the room will be ram-packed for this session.
"I am so excited to be creating the IMS Anthem 2013. I had such an inspirational time at IMS last year and its opened up many new connections including collaborations with many contemporary electronic artists. I've created this new track with Ibiza and the electronic community in mind before handing over to one of my favourite remixers of today – Eats Everything. I can't wait to hear what he does with it, and to hear it at Dalt Vila in Ibiza! Historic site for historic music productions." - Nile Rogers
"It still hasn't quite sunk in that I am remixing Nile Rodgers, it's ridiculous!!! I am so excited though and can't wait to get stuck in!" - Eats Everything
Later on we have a return of the 'empowering women in music' panel due to popular demand after last years edition, with Lynn Cosgrave of Safehouse Management (the team behiund Carl Cox, his parties at Space and Sands Playa d'en Bossa) on the panel amongst others. Bringing the day to a close are a series of panels you just can't miss either, 'new faces, new music' by Mixmag wit David August, the man Eats Everything again (greedy) Hot Since 82 and others. A keynote interview by Idris Elba (actor from The Wire turned musical maestro who also plays the first of the Dalt Vila parties on Thursday night) and a final keynote interview with the one and only Fatboy Slim, on account of Norman Cook being the guest of honour for the IMS Legends Dinner. In fact, you're best just not moving from the room all day. Remember to hydrate, else the excitement will get the better of you.
Friday 24th May.
You'll have to play it safe the night before this one as Ben Turner interviews the legend that is Jean Michel Jarre. This guy is the pioneer of electronic music and has a love of lasers, which can only be a good thing, so do not miss it. This will be the equivalent of last years conversation with Giorgio Moroder in terms of how much the hair is likely to stand up on the back of your neck. Question time then with some heavy hitters on the island including Sasha and Danny Whittle as they discuss how to make it in Ibiza, how underground music 'seduced' the world of VIP and the craze of DJs 'hatin on' each other via social media... amongst other topics. Then we have a market focus on Germany with Anja Schneider, Monika Kruse and others. A really interesting panel will see the topic of America and their new found love of EDM discussed... are they killing the scene? Various important people discuss this question and hopefully they'll come up with an answer by sessions end. The final hour or so is taken up by the closing speeches of the IMS partners (listed earlier if you remember?) and the final keynote interview by some guy called Sven Vath. You might have heard of him - he recently shaved all his hair off and runs the Cocoon parties. He's a dude. And that, ladies and gentleman is the conference, and slightly more serious, part of the 2013 International Music Summit summed up in highlight form for you.
The Parties.
There are many, and with the relatively early start each day for the conference you really should watch your behaviour at these parties, or run the risk of missing out on some truly inspirational stuff. We know it's hard to refuse a good party, we're just saying pace yourselves! You've got opening weekend to get through as well, remember!
On Tuesday 21st May there are various parties in and around the area, acting as a sort of warm up to the main conference the next day. The Burn Studios Residency Warm Up party is probably the one to head for, with Jaime Fiorito and Alex Wolfenden ( and more) going back to back at Hotel Es Vive. There is a great party going down at Café Mambo in their typical time slot of evening till around midnight. Some great DJs playing, but with Sarah Main taking the crown to finish.
On Wednesday we have the IMS Opening Party at Downtown by Cirpriani with Disclosure playing, or perhaps check out the party presented by Eats Everything at Grial? Two great choices. Else there is a cool 'meet and greet' style netwroking party at the Gee Bar within the Ibiza Gran Hotel itself, hosted by Ultra Records, and the opening of Guy Gerber's Widsom of the Glove at Pacha later on. Shaun Reeves, dOP and Deniz Kurtel will join guy on the decks.
Thursday night sees the first of the Dalt Vila main parties as they transform the venue into one of the best parties spots you're likely to techno stomp to in the world. Fatboy Slim heads the lineup, with Pete Tong, Idris Elba and Hot Since 82 on support duties. Following this Fatboy Slim and Rob Da Bank will be playing til' late at Downtown Cipriani once the Dalt Vila party has finished. Bubbles plays host to a Mixmag party with Anja Schneider, Monika Kruse and Francesco Lombardo from the german market focus panel all playing. Finally there is the first part of the Sankeys opening parties to attend - simply massive lineup - check out part 2 on Friday night.
Friday night is the big one as the whole conference is brought to a close with the Grand Finale at Dalt Vila. Sven Vath, Solomun, Maya Jane Coles, Tensnake, Scuba and Le Carousel all play. Don't think we need to sell that one to you too much, do we? Then after this, I'd suggest you head on down to either Sankeys for the second part of their opening or to Pacha for the Insane opening party. Both huge lineups... and actually quite difficult to choose between the two!
Full Schedule.
Tuesday May 21
17.00 - 22.00 - IMS Sunset Pre-Party at Mambo, San Antonio
Hosted by Main Room & Rebirth Records
18.00 - 18.30 - Stevel
18.30 - 19.30 - Shield B2B Corrado Bucci
19.30 - 20.30 - Taras Van De Voorde
20.30 - 21.30 - Rampa
21.30 - 22.00 - Chromatic Filters
22.00 - 23.00 - Stefano Kosa B2B Bravofox
23.00 - 00.00 - Sarah Main B2B Luciano Nieto
19.30 - 23.00 - Burn Studios Residency Warm-Up Party, Hotel Es Vive, Ibiza
23.00 - 04.00 - Ibiza Residents Party at Grial, Ibiza Town
23.00 - 00.00 - Jaime Florito
00.00 - 01.00 - Valentin Huedo
01.00 - 04.00 - Lady and The Tramps / Alex Wolfendon / Andy Baxter / Clara De Costa / Jason Bye - Back to Back
Wednesday May 22
13.00-13.05 - Introduction & Announcements by IMS Partners
13.05-13.25 - IMS Business Report 2013
Presented by Kevin Watson (market researcher)
13.25-13.40 - Keynote Address
Patrick Moxey (Ultra Records / Sony Music)
13.40-14.00 - Keynote Address
Marc Geiger (William Morris Endeavor)
14.00-16.00 - Exhibition Stand next to IMS Registration Desk
Mobile Roadie Demo - How to build your own app (Guetta / Dubfire case studies)
14.05-15.00 - Where Does All The Money Go?
John Truelove (Truelove)
Marcus Trojan (Weekend club)
Mark Lawrence (PRS for Music
Ralf Kollmann (Mobilee Records
Stephen Titmus (Shazam)
Moderator: Kurosh Nasseri (Association for Electronic Music)
15.05-16.00 - Changing Face of Ibiza presented by Resident Advisor
David Vincent (Sankeys)
Francisco Ferrer (Pacha)
Guy Gerber
Mark Netto (IBZ Entertainment)
Shane Murray (Ibiza Rocks)
Yann Pissenem (Ushuaia)
Moderator: Grego O'Halloran (Resident Advisor)
16.05-17.00 - IMS Engage Presents
Duncan Stutterheim (ID&T / Tomorrowland)
"in conversation" with
Shelly Finkel (SFX Entertainment)
17.05-18.00 - Keynote Interview
Bob Lefsetz
Interviewed by Pete Tong
OFFICIAL EVENTS / PARTIES
18.00-20.00 - Ultra Records Networking Drinks at Gee Bar, Ibiza Gran Hotel
Music from Bondax and Adrian Lux
21.30-00.30 IMS Legends Dinner at Downtown Cipriani
In honour of Fatboy Slim. Presented in association with Nokia
Hosted by Mike Cuban (The Cuban Brothers)
00.30-04.00 - IMS Opening Party at Downtown by Cipriani (delegates free before 2am)
01.00-03.00 Disclosure
23.00-04.00 IMS Presents Eats Everything at Grial
23.00-00.00 Urban Jeram (Burn Resident 2012)
00.00-01.30 Timo Garcia
01.30-03.00 Eats Everything
03.00-04.00 Ben Gomori
00.00-07.00 - Wisdom of the Glove Opening Party at Pacha (free for delegates until 1.30am only)
Main Room
00.00-02.00 Shaun Reeves (Visionquest)
02.00-03.30 dOP - Live
03.30-05.30 Guy Gerber
05.30-07.00 Guy Gerber and guests back to back
Global Room
01.00-02.30 Deniz Kurtel
02.30-04.00 Midland
04.00-05.30 Konrad Black
Thursday May 23
11.00-11.55 - Breakfast Briefing!
Nile Rodgers: The Return (Interview Part Two: Daft Punk and beyond)
Interviewed by Pete Tong
12.00-12.40 - The Story of Circo Loco & DC10 - RA Exchange Live
Andrea Pelino
Antonio
Interviewed by Grego O'Halloran (Resident Advisor)
12.45-13.15 - Keynote Interview
Paul Van Dyk
Interviewed by Gary Smith (Midem)
13.15-13.45 - Social Responsibility in Electronic Music
Ash Pournouri (At Night)
Paul Van Dyk (Artist)
Stephen Greene (RockCorps)
Valentino Barrioseta (Bridges for Music)
Moderated by Gary Smith (Midem)
13.50-14.50 - IMS Anthem 2013 - Produced
Produced and deconstructed by Nile Rodgers
Moderated by Luke Hopper (Point Blank)
IMS Anthem 2013 - Remixed
Remixed and deconstructed by Eats Everything
Moderated by Luke Hopper (Point Blank)
14.00-16.00 - Exhibition Stand next to IMS Registration Desk
Mobile Roadie Demo - How to build your own app (Guetta / Dubfire case studies)
14.50-15.25 - Ghostwriting: The Truth Behind the Tracks
Nicky Romero
Timo Garcia
Moderated by Ben Gomori
15.30-16.10 - Empowering Women In Music: Year Two (Back by Popular Demand)
Francesca Lombardo
Kate Matheou (Kish Communications)
Lynn Cosgrave (Safehouse Management)
Maria May (CAA)
Judy Weinstein (Def Mix)
Moderated by Nick DeCosemo (Mixmag)
Followed by the IMS Pioneer Award 2013 presentation
Presented by the IMS Partners and Mark Grotefeld (Pioneer)
16.10-16.50 - Mixmag presents New Faces, New Thinking
David August
Eats Everything
Francesca Lombardo
Hot Since 82
Sam Evitt (Method Music)
Steven Braines (Crown Management)
Moderator: Nick DeCosemo (Mixmag)
16.55-17.25 - Pioneer presents IMS Masterclass
DJ Yoda
Moderator: Rik Parkinson (Pioneer)
17.30-18.10 - Keynote Interview
Idris Elba
Interviewed by Pete Tong (IMS Partner)
18.15-19.00 - Keynote Interview
Fatboy Slim
Interviewed by Rob da Bank (BBC Radio 1 / Bestival)
OFFICIAL EVENTS / PARTIES
17.30-00.00 - IMS presents Fatboy Slim & Friends featuring Pete Tong, Idris Elba, Hot Since 82
17.30-18.40 Tom Staar
18.40-19.40 Kaz James
19.40-20.00 Da Banda - Live
20.00-21.00 Idris Elba
21.00-22.00 Hot Since 82
22.00-23.00 Pete Tong
23.00-00.00 Fatboy Slim
23.00-04.00 - Toolroom Knights Tenth Anniversary featuring Mark Knight & Pete Griffiths at Grial, Ibiza Town
23.00-01.00 Manu Volcano (Burn Resident 2012)
00.00-01.00 Pete Griffiths
01.00-04.00 Mark Knight
00.00-04.00 - Fatboy Slim at Downtown Cipriani (delegates free before 2am)
00.00-02.00 Rob da Bank
02.00-04.00 Fatboy Slim
22.00-06.00 - Sankeys Ibiza Opening Party Part 1
Steve Lawler, Nina Kraviz, Darius Syrossian, Jonathan Cowan, Mosca, Hot Since 82, Shadow Child, Waze & Odyssey
00.00-04.30 - Mixmag presents at Bubbles, Ibiza Town
Anja Schneider, Monika Kruse, Francesca Lombardo
00.00-01.30 Francesca Lombardo
01.30-03.00 Monika Kruse
03.00-04.30 Anja Schneider
00.00-07.00 - Welcome to Pacha Season 2013 (free until 1.30am only)
Main Room
00.00-02.00 Sander Kleinenberg
02.00-03.30 Armand Van Helden
03.30-03.50 Chris Willis- PA
03.50-05.30 Nicky Romero
05.30-07.00 Fonsi Netto & DJ Nano
Global Room / Funky Room
01.00-06.00 Angel Linde / Nicc Johnson / Graham Sahara / Paola Poletta
Friday May 24
11.00-12.00 - Keynote Interview
Jean Michel Jarre
Interviewed by Ben Turner (IMS Partner)
12.05-12.40 - Keynote Address
Emmanuel De Buretel (Because Music)
12.45-13.40 - IMS presents Question Time
Brett Robinson (Future Entertainment)
Danny Whittle (IBZ Entertainment)
Matthew Adell (Beatport)
Rob Star (Mulletover)
Sasha (Artist)
Terry Weerasinghe (Native Instruments)
Moderated by Gary Smith (Billboard)
Topics for debate:
Models & Bottles: How the Underground Seduced the World of VIP
Killing it in Ibiza. How do make your name on the Isle of Dance
Social Media Wars: Artists Killing Each Other Online
Overcrowding of clubs: Steve Aoki
Thrown Off the Decks: DJ Shadow and a host of DJ-s thrown off the decks discuss their experience!
Daft Punk: Rules Rewritten
13.40-14.00 - The IMS Vote: Help Shape The Future of Electronic Music
Hosted by the IMS Partners & Ted Cohen (TAG Strategic)
14.00-16.00 - Exhibition Stand next to IMS Registration Desk
Mobile Roadie Demo - How to build your own app (Guetta / Dubfire case studies)
14.05-14.55 - Market Focus - Germany
Anja Schneider
Jens Thele (Kontor)
Marcus Trojan (Weekend club)
Monika Kruse
Tom Keil (Ultra Music Europe)
Tom Preuss (Artist-A-Life)
Moderated by Gary Smith (Midem)
15.00-15.50 - Digital Debate
Andrzej Moyseowicz (Freemavens)
Cater Laren (Mox)
Mark Williamson (Spotify)
Nikhil Shah (Mixcloud)
Oliver Luckett (The Audience)
Seth Goldstein (DJ-Z)
Moderated by Ted Cohen (TAG Strategic)
15.55-16.45 - Is the American Style of Doing Business Killing the Heart of Dance Music
Arash Shirazi (The Bullitt Agency)
Ash Pournouri (At Night)
David Waxman (Ultra Records)
Maria May (CAA)
Shelly Finkel (SFX Entertainment)
Moderator: Gary Smith (Midem)
16.45-17.00 - IMS Closing Speeches by IMS Partners
Bob Lefsetz Summary of IMS 2013
IMS Anthem: The Remix Lab with Point Blank
17.05-18.00 - Keynote Interview
Sven Vath
Interviewed by Ben Turner (IMS Partner)
18.00-20.00 - W - Who's In Town launch Party at Blue Marlin Marina, Ibiza Marina (by invitation)
18.00-18.30 Michaelangelo L'Acqua
18.30-19.30 Maya Jane Coles
19.30-20.00 Michaelangelo L'Acaua
18.00-00.00 - IMS Grand Finale Festival at Dalt Vila with Sven Vath, Solomun, Maya Jane Coles, Scuba. Plus Tensnake live, La Carousel live
18.00-18.30 Adam Zasada (Burn Resident 2012)
18.30-19.00 Le Carousel - Live
19.00-20.00 Scuba
20.00-20.30 Tensnake - Live
20.30-21.30 Maya Jane Coles
21.30-22.30 Solomun
22.30-00.00 Sven Vath
00.00-07.00 - Insane Opening Party at Pacha (free until 1.30am only)
Main Room
00.00-01.00 RE:NE
01.00-02.30 X-Press 2
02.30-04.00 DJ Sneak Vs Derrick Carter Vs Mark Farina
04.00-05.30 John Digweed
05.30-07.00 UNER
Global Room
01.00-03.00 Youri Alexander
03.00-06.00 Dave Seaman Vs White Lamp (Darren Emerson) Back 2 Back
23.00-06.00 - Sankeys Ibiza Opening Party Part 2
Solomun, H.O.S.H., David August, Bones, Cajmere, Just Be, Enzo Siragussa
00.00-05.00 - IBZ Entertainment presents Official IMS Grand Finale After-Party at Bubbles
Electronic Youth, Marino Canal, Andy Baxter, Clara Da Costa
23.00-00.30 Clara da Costa
00.30-02.00 Electronic Youth
02.00-03.30 Andy Baxter
03.30-05.00 Marino Canal
Saturday May 25
15.00-00.00 - Opening Party at Ushuaia, Playa d'en Bossa
Sven Vath, Luciano, Loco Dice, Maya Jane Coles, Joris Voorn
00.00-07.00 - Pure Pacha Opening Party at Pacha, Ibiza Town (free until 1.30am only)
Main Room
00.00-01.30 Sebastien Drums
01.30-03.00 John Dahlback
03.00-05.30 Chuckie Vs Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike
05.30-07.00 Chris Lake
Sunday May 26
12.00-06.00 - Space Opening Fiesta
Line-up including 2manydjs, Bushwacka!, Edu Imberon, Felix da Housecat, Groove Armada, Nic Fanciulli, Pete Tong, Sharam
00.00-07.00 - Solomun + 1 Opening Party at Pacha
00.00-02.00 TBC
02.00-03.30 Solomun's + 1 Guest - AME
03.30-05.30 Solomun
05.30-07.30 Solomun & AME (Back 2 Back)
IMS media partner Ibiza Sonica Radio are broadcasting live and direct with news,reviews and interviews. Daily reports from Ibiza Grand Hotel - Wed 22 & Thurs 23 May from 13.00-15.00, and live from the IMS Grand Finale party on Friday 24th May from 18.00 - listen 95.2FM or visit ibizasonica.com.
