Beatport Presents: IMS Connect Melbourne – Event Recap
IMS Connect heads down under for an evening of creativity and reflection in Australia’s cultural capital.
On September 12th, over 150 attendees gathered at the venue HOWLER in Melbourne’s inner north for the third IMS Connect event, following on from New York and Tokyo.
The evening of music and discussions offered learning, reflected on the current landscape, and offered insights into the future of electronic music. The event also provided a valuable space for Melbourne locals to network and connect.
The event kicked off with insightful contributions from Beatport’s Chief Community Officer, Sofia Ilyas, who presented key takeaways from the latest IMS Business Report 2024. This annual study of the electronic music industry revealed that it is firmly in its post-pandemic growth phase, with 2023 witnessing impressive advancements across virtually all sectors.
For those interested in exploring these findings further, the 2024 IMS Business Report is available for download here.
Next up was an engaging DJ workshop by Anna Lunoe, a prolific artist, DJ, tastemaker, and full-time club music obsessive. The workshop offered the young creators in the audience an opportunity to pick up skills to take home and learn about Anna Lunoe’s stylistic flair.
The evening continued with an immersive panel discussion hosted by engineer, songwriter, and producer Becki Whitton. The discussion featured Nina Las Vegas (DJ, producer, label head, and powerful force in the Australian and international dance music scenes), SHOUSE (the DJ duo renowned for their summer 2017 anthem ‘Love Tonight’), and CaucasianOpportunities (a Naarm-based Event Curator and DJ).
Together, they shared candid insights about navigating the current music landscape, exploring their lived experiences and the challenges they’ve overcome in their careers.
The audience then enjoyed electrifying DJ sets from Nina Las Vegas, who got the party started with an energetic and eclectic mix of genres, and SHOUSE, who took us into the late evening with a nostalgic, anthemic set that left everyone with a smile on their faces.
IMS Ibiza returns on April 23-25. Early bird badges are now available for purchase. Secure your spot and save up to 45%.
Thanks to Cartel Australia, Howler, Music Victoria, APRA, Poppy Reid, WOMPP, Craate and Your Shot Melbourne for their support!