• Home
  • News
  • Tech News
  • Tech Tutorials
  • Tech Spotlight
  • Featured
  • Freebies
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

IDM Mag

Electronic Dance Music News, DJ Gear & Tech, South Africa

  • Home
  • News
  • Tech News
  • Tech Tutorials
  • Tech Spotlight
  • Featured
  • Freebies
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
You are here: Home / Tech Corner / Gear & Software Reviews / 5 Must Attend Music Conferences from around the globe


5 Must Attend Music Conferences from around the globe

July 22, 2015 By IDM Reports

5 Must Attend Music Conferences

Here areΒ 5 Must Attend Music Conferences around the world that are all well worth visitingΒ if you are serious about forging any sort of career in the electronic music business. Whether you’re a DJ, a producer, label owner, promoter, VJ, lighting and FX artist, decor artist, PR and media or any other cog in the wheel that makes the music biz spin, music conferences are an excellent way to network, gather information, participate and learn.

They’re also good fun because at the end of the day, most of us involved in the electronic music biz also like to have a good time and get down and boogie and they all end with a good party!

Inspired byΒ Cape Town Music Week in September, Β we’ve put togetherΒ 5 Must Attend Music Conferences from around the globe that have aΒ South African connection.

  1. Breathe Sunshine African Music Conference Β (BSAMC)

5 Must Attend Music Conferences

Why not start in your own backyard?

Number one on our list is South Africa’sΒ very own homegrown Breathe Sunshine African Music Conference. This two day conference is held in Cape Town, South Africa and is now in its third year, although this will technically be the fourth official conference. The first two years were hosted at the Cape Town City Hall, one of the mother city’s iconic buildings, in April ’13 and February ’14 respectively.

Last year in October they also hosted #BSEngageΒ at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg.

This year BSAMC takes placeΒ at the Protea Fire & Ice Hotel from September 30 – 1 October and forms part of the week long Cape Town Music week which leads up to the conference and finishes just ahead of one of the city’s biggest music festivals, Rocking the Daisies.

A lot goes on over the 2 day event. There is a daily roster of keynote speakers, panel discussions, on the couch interviews, indabas, technical workshops.

BSAMC hosts some of the most important players in the South African music industry each year but also boasts an impressive list of international guests since its inception. TerryΒ  Weerasinghe (Beatport Vice President), German reggae artist – Gentleman, The Presets and the head of Amsterdam Dance Event, Richard ZijlmaΒ have all participated.

The South African Connection:

It’s a proudly South African event which addresses both local and global issues in the music industry. It takes place in SA’s most cosmopolitan city, Cape Town!

Best reason to go:

Breathe Sunshine Music Conference is a must for anybody who really wants to be a part of the South African and indeed global music business. The knowledge you will acquire from the panel discussions, the motivation you will reap from some of the on-the-couch interviews and the tips you can pick up from the tech workshops are reason enough to attend.

But the biggest reason should be the networking opportunities and the socialising that will take place at the Fire & Ice hotel over those two days. Remember it comes at the end of Cape Town Music week so there will be loads of events taking place beforehand too.

The added bonus is that you if you are in the industry you can buy a Rocking the Daisies/BSAMC combo ticket which enables you to hang out for two days rubbing shoulders with other industry players, then head of to Daisies for a good old β€˜S’effrican skop’ in the bush.

Buy a specially priced Rocking the Daisies/BSAMC combo ticket
  1. Winter Music Conference (WMC)Β 

    5 Must Attend Music Conferences

    SA artists heading to WMC in 2012

The Winter Music Conference (WMC) is a weeklong music conference and it takes place in Miami beach Florida, USA every March. WMC has been going since 1985 and has been the go-to destination for many SA house music industry buffs for many years. Attendees range from DJs, record label owners, producers, promoters, media and every other conceivable player in the electronic music biz. Although it takes place in winter there are outdoor beach parties, club events and a whole lot of conferencing going down.

Although most of the delegates hail from the USA, there is always a strong presence of international attendees, mainly music professionals and artists. With the recent EDM boom in the states it has become more and more international each year.

The South African Connection:

WMC has been a favourite destination for SA house music artists and label representatives for networking and to market SA house music. DJ Fresh and Euphonik, Shimza, Black Motion, Black CoffeeΒ  and many more have attended and for the past few years there has always been a South African Miami Invasion party held during that week. This year Oskido, Heavy K and Glen Lewis all performed.

Read our Shimza interview on his new album

Best reason to go:

Whilst EDM may seem like the big boom on the surface, deep soulful house is embedded in the very fabric of American dance music and WMC is an opportunity to rub shoulders in one of the biggest music markets globally.

  1. Β International Music Summit (IMS)Β 

The International Music Summit Β is hosted in Ibiza. Need we say much more? As the electronic music party capital of the world it makes perfect sense to host an annual summit here. Known as IMS it is a 3 daylong conference and is held just before the official opening weekend of party season on the island.

Compared to ADE or WMC it is a lot smaller, and has only been going since 2008. IMS has had some pretty heavyweight artists such as Jean Michelle Jarre, Leftfield’s Neil Barnes and Richie Hawtin deliver keynote speeches and in 2014 a conference report by the International Music Summit estimated the EDM industry market to be worth $6.2 billion a year.

5 Must Attend Music Conferences

The South African Connection:

South Africa was a big focus at IMS 2015. A panel discussion facilitated by Electronic Association Music advisory board member Nic Burger included Shaun Duvet from Ultra Music SA, Goldfish’s manager Raymond Bloom, Black Coffee, Spiro Damaskinos from Sony, Renzo Puccini from Seed Experiences and Harael Salkow from Soul Candi.

Best reason to go:

Despite taking place on the party island, the 3 day summit is quite a serious industry event which tackles some real global issues in the electronic music industry. Since it takes place just before party season kicks off it is the ideal networking and knowledge conference to attend as you can end it all off with a [long] weekend of partying at all the opening nights on the island.Β 

Β  Β 4. ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event)Β 

5 Must Attend Music Conferences

The Amsterdam Dance Event takes place over 5 days in October in Amsterdam. It is both a music conference and a music festival with as many as 115 clubs and venues participating. There are around 450 events held at this time and the entire city is covered in ADE posters and signage. Over 2,000 artists perform and it is without doubt the go-to event to both network with electronic music professionals and also to catch many of the world’s cutting edge acts.

There are daily panel discussions, conferences, tech demos, lighting displays and all kinds of dance music activities on the go.

The South African Connection:

Many South African DJs and artists have performed over the five days. Black Coffee is a regular, as are Jullian Gomes and Culoe De Song. Goldfish launched their album, Three Second Memory, in 2013 at and ADE event and in the same year a panel called Meet the South Africans was also held.

Best reason to go:

It’s Amsterdam! One of the coolest cities in the world! From coffee shops to 5 days of partying to some of the world’s cutting edge artists to listening to some of those same cutting edge artists talk at the conference to networking with others in the global electronic music community, ADE is a must-attend event.

  1. BPM DJ & Electronic Music Production EventΒ Β 5 Must Attend Music Conferences

We’ve thrown in the BPM DJ & electronic music production event held in Birmingham, UK each September as a bonus event as it is slightly different to the others. Whilst BPM also hosts showcases, panel discussions and is a great networking platform, the main focus is actually a tech exhibition. 2014 hosted more than 100 exhibiting companies all dedicated to DJing, music production, sound and lighting. It’s a veritable smorgasbord of electronic music goodness spread across 11,000 square metres of tech to drool over. It brings out the tech geek in us!

The South African Connection:

There isn’t one, unless you count them using the name of our legendary BPM magazine that changed lives for 10 years in South Africa!

Best reason to go:

A tech exhibition dedicated to electronic dance music and DJing/producing is not something you find in too many places. Whilst it’s maybe not the type of event you’ll specifically fly over for, like one maybe would for Musikmesse or Namm, if you’re in the UK in September, its well worth popping in to see all the latest tech on offer.

Related Posts

  • ADE2017 attracts record number of visitorsADE2017 attracts record number of visitors
  • What’s the Electronic music industry worth right now?What’s the Electronic music industry worth right now?
  • Amsterdam Dance Event 2017 announces dates and new territoriesAmsterdam Dance Event 2017 announces dates and new territories
  • BSAMC 2015 & Moshito Announce Strategic PartnershipBSAMC 2015 & Moshito Announce Strategic Partnership
  • How big is the Electronic music industry?How big is the Electronic music industry?
  • Detroit Swindle on ADE & the best hangout spots in AmsterdamDetroit Swindle on ADE & the best hangout spots in Amsterdam

Tagged With: ade, Amsterdam Dance Event, BPM DJ event, breathe sunshine music conference, BSAMC, IMS, International Music Summit, music conferences, Winter Music Conference, WMC Filed Under: Gear & Software Reviews

Popular Posts

  • Delve into Antinomy’s State Of Mind, his debut album on Iboga Records
  • Great EDM Tracks To Help You Play Better Poker
  • Protonica Symmetry Remixes – our track-by-track review!
  • 12 things you never knew about Headroom
  • More EDM Artists Should Have Online Slot Games

Contact

info[at]idmmag.com

Tel: +27 84 2090168

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK

IDM Mag

2 days ago

IDM Mag
On days like these we miss frolicking in the summer sun! β˜€#tbt - Regan Nano at Origin Festival 2022 🎢Video by : @journey.with.schalk πŸ™#idmmag #electronicdancemusic #dancefloor #party #festival #psytrance #techno #housemusic ... See MoreSee Less

Video

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

IDM Mag

4 days ago

IDM Mag
"I think when you really like something you have to be focused on it and give it the best you can. That is actually also my β€˜secret’: always take care of the smallest details and do not compromise on anything until you are totally happy with the result..." Some extremely wise words from Antinomy during his interview with ZoΓ« Fenner about 'State Of Mind' - his debut album, out now on Iboga Records! Read it here: idmmag.com/featured/antinomy-state-of-mind-interview/ ... See MoreSee Less

Video

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Tweet to @idmmag

Twitter

Retweet on TwitterBonang Matheba πŸ‘‘ Retweeted
AvatarWatanja Megan Mphande@BlaackFlamingo·
2h

Happy @Bonang dayπŸŽ‰

Reply on Twitter 1540520454645075968Retweet on Twitter 15405204546450759682Like on Twitter 15405204546450759684Twitter 1540520454645075968
AvatarChymamusique@Chymamusique·
2h

Check out K's video! #TikTok https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMN6xgBBQ/?k=1

Reply on Twitter 1540522617106583553Retweet on Twitter 15405226171065835531Like on Twitter 15405226171065835532Twitter 1540522617106583553
AvatarNative Instruments@NI_News·
2h

Change up your vocal chain with these unique takes on studio staples
like reverb, delay, and tape saturation! https://blog.native-instruments.com/5-free-reaktor-ensembles-for-creative-vocal-processing/?utm_campaign=Content+Team&utm_content=change_up_your_vocal_chai&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

Reply on Twitter 1540521914866798592Retweet on Twitter 15405219148667985922Like on Twitter 15405219148667985924Twitter 1540521914866798592
AvatarK A B I L L I O N@PrinceKaybee_SA·
2h

LOL

Reply on Twitter 1540511081453559808Retweet on Twitter 15405110814535598081Like on Twitter 154051108145355980834Twitter 1540511081453559808
Retweet on TwitterK A B I L L I O N Retweeted
AvatarStarchild RSA🌠@StarChildRSA_DJ·
4h

@PrinceKaybee_SA ke nagana o rekela 6 for Tayari 😭

Reply on Twitter 1540493335978205185Retweet on Twitter 15404933359782051851Like on Twitter 15404933359782051857Twitter 1540493335978205185
Load More...

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

idmmag

South Africa's definitive online electronic music publication ⬇️ #idmmag

IDM Mag
On days like these we miss frolicking in the summe On days like these we miss frolicking in the summer sun! β˜€

#TBT - @regan_nano at @originfest 2022 🎢

Video by : @journey.with.schalk πŸ™

#idmmag #electronicdancemusic #dancefloor #party #festival #psytrance #techno #housemusic
"It was very important to me to express my self-fe "It was very important to me to express my self-feelings through music, and I think there is no more authentic way to do it than releasing a solo album – it’s just you with yourself in the whole process." 🎢

Zoë chats to @antinomy_music about his debut album 'State Of Mind', out now on @ibogarecords and much more! 😁

Read the full interview here ➑ πŸ”— in bio!

#idmmag #Antinomy #ibogarecords #progtrance #progressivetrance #psytrance #PsytranceMusic #PsyTranceFamily #psychedelictrance #interview
Make music, wherever and whenever you can! 🧺 Make music, wherever and whenever you can! 🧺 

πŸ“½ @klangphonics_ 

#idmmag #electronicmusic #festival #techno #house #music #afrohouse #techhouse
Track of the day! ⭐ @chrisavantgarde x @anyma_o Track of the day! ⭐

@chrisavantgarde x @anyma_ofc - Consciousness πŸ€–

Have you heard this track being dropped in the clubs? 

#idmmag #electronicmusic #festival #techno #house #music #afrohouse #techhouse
@kidfonque spitting facts πŸ”₯ #idmmag #kidfonqu @kidfonque spitting facts πŸ”₯ 

#idmmag #kidfonque #housemusic #deephouse #staytrue #facts
Just pure groove from @djfreedomfighters at @this. Just pure groove from @djfreedomfighters at @this.is.habitat πŸŠπŸŽ‹

#idmmag #habitatcpt #freedomfighters #southafrica #techno #psytrance #psychedelic
Can you see the colors? πŸ€ͺ🌈 The @organikpsy Can you see the colors? πŸ€ͺ🌈

The @organikpsy stage by @christopher_dowding & @carindickson_artescape coupled with @hivemindvisuals = 😍⚑

🎡 @davemac77 
..
#idmmag #organikpsy #festivalart #installationart #psychedelicart #psytrancefestival #stagedesign #fractalart #3dfractal #capetowntranceparties #psytrance #psydeco #magic #videomapping #lovetree
"We have been following some of the talent on our "We have been following some of the talent on our remix album like @gaudium_official, @_zen_mechanics_ and @kalkimusic for years and really appreciate their music – they also have a similar and fitting style to Protonica..."

ZoΓ« gives us a comprehensive breakdown of the brand new @protonica_music 'Symmetry' remix album - out now on @ibogarecords! 

Read the review now via idmmag.com 
..
#idmmag #Protonica #ibogarecords #progtrance #progressivetrance #psytrance #PsytranceMusic #PsyTranceFamily #psychedelictrance #interview
They got down in groovy town! πŸ₯³ @originfest's They got down in groovy town! πŸ₯³

@originfest's 'Beats Floor' has got the best vibe around! 

Check out their 2022 aftermovie by @marys_lamb_productions 😍
..
#idmmag #originemergence #psytrance #electronicmusic #outdoofestival #psychedelictrance #techno #housemusic #techhouse #acidtechno #afrohouse #music #festival
Congrats @realblackcoffee!!! πŸ‡ΏπŸ‡¦ He just won Congrats @realblackcoffee!!! πŸ‡ΏπŸ‡¦

He just won his first @recordingacademy Grammy Award in the Best Dance/Electronic Album category for his album Subconsciously! 😍

#ElectronicDanceMusic #BlackCoffee
Take us back to this moment! 🎢 πŸŽ₯: @desiree_ Take us back to this moment! 🎢

πŸŽ₯: @desiree_rsa at @baziquefestival 2022 😍
..
#idmmag #baziquefestival #housemusic #afrohouse #melodichouse #techno #desireersa
@baziquefestival's Main Stage looked fantastic 😍

Who was there to experience it this past weekend? 

πŸ“Έ @carindickson_artescape 

#idmmag #Baziquefestival #MusicFestival #electronicdancemusic #musicart #capetownmusicfestivals
Happy birthday to the legend that is @realblackcof Happy birthday to the legend that is @realblackcoffee πŸ‘‘
Some @mezerg groove to start the day 🎢 #idmmag Some @mezerg groove to start the day 🎢

#idmmag #theremin #mezerg #electronicdancemusic #electronicmusic #techno #acidtechno
RIP @rikyrickworld πŸ•Š RIP @rikyrickworld πŸ•Š
@originfest at night πŸŒ™ Main Floor ➑️ Beat @originfest at night πŸŒ™ 

Main Floor ➑️ Beats Floor 

πŸ“Έ: @aumegaphotography_festivals 
..
#idmmag #originemergence #psytrance #electronicmusic #outdoofestival #psychedelictrance #techno #housemusic #techhouse #acidtechno #afrohouse #music #festival
"I stood face to face with Coolio (US Rapper) at a "I stood face to face with Coolio (US Rapper) at a Vortex Trance Party once but figured I was hallucinating and just walked on. πŸ˜‚"

Editor @davemac77 delved into the mind of SA's leading psytrance producer, @headroomusic, to find out if he really is such a nice guy! 

Oh and Dave also gives his opinion on Headroom's new album, Acid Trip Advisor! A must read...

Full interview available on our website (URL in BIO!)
..
#idmmag #Headroom #ibogarecords #progtrance #progressivetrance #psytrance #PsytranceMusic #PsyTranceFamily #psychedelictrance #interview
Heading to work on Humpday be like πŸ₯³ .. #idmmag Heading to work on Humpday be like πŸ₯³
..
#idmmag #electronicmusic #festival #techno #house #music #afrohouse #techhouse
A crowd reaction like this is what DJ's live for! A crowd reaction like this is what DJ's live for! 😍

πŸ“½: @bones.music by @night_closure 
..
#idmmag #housemusic #afrohousemusic #dj #event #festival #wehousesundays
When you realise the week has flown by and it's al When you realise the week has flown by and it's already Thursday! 😍

One day to the weekend! 
..
#idmmag #dancing #techno #MelodicTechno  #MelodicHouse #Housemusic #afrohous
Happy weekend, IDM Fam! 😍 See you on the dance Happy weekend, IDM Fam! 😍

See you on the dancefloor! 

πŸ“Έ - @sauriel_samfairy 

#idmmag #electronicdancemusic #dancefloor #party #festival #psytrance #techno #housemusic
The illustrious @@originfest is back and kicks off The illustrious @@originfest is back and kicks off in two days! 🌱 

It’s amazing to see established outdoor festivals operating again! 😍

Are you joining in on the fun? β˜€
 
#idmmag #originemergence #psytrance #electronicmusic #outdoofestival #psychedelictrance
@kidfonque with the facts! 😎🎢 .. #idmmag #ki @kidfonque with the facts! 😎🎢
..
#idmmag #kidfonque #housemusic #deephouse #staytrue #facts
#MusicMonday! 🀩 @softcellhq - Tainted Love ( @ #MusicMonday! 🀩

@softcellhq - Tainted Love ( @jamiejonesmusic 4Z Extended Mix) 
..
#idmmag #dance #dancemusic #jamiejones #softcell #positiva #electronicdancemusic
For the love of House Music! ❀️ πŸ“½: @sirlsg For the love of House Music! ❀️

πŸ“½: @sirlsg at @wehousesundays 

Track: @sirlsg x @nutownsoulsa - SEARCHING (@soulfreakah Remix)

#idmmag #wehousesundays #sirlsg #HouseMusic #electronicDancemusic #afrohouse #deephouse #melodichouse
Summer boat parties in Cape Town β˜€ πŸ“½: @headr Summer boat parties in Cape Town β˜€

πŸ“½: @headroomusic 🎢
..
#idmmag #headroom #ibogarecords #psytrance #progtrance #summer #capetown
How's this for a stage show 😱 Happy Monday ev How's this for a stage show 😱 

Happy Monday everyone! πŸ”Š

πŸ“½ @taleofus 
.
#idmmag #taleofus #afterlifeofc #techno #housemusic #electronicmusicfestival
Happy FRI-YAY! πŸ₯³ Grab your mates and go jollin Happy FRI-YAY! πŸ₯³

Grab your mates and go jollin'! 😎
..
#idmmag #weekend #edm #djs #friday #psytrance #electronicdancemusic #housemusic #deephouse #techhouse #ravers #ravelife #rave #shufflers #shuffle #edmlifestyle #plur #festivalseason #edmtunes #techno #technomusic
Studio sessions with @therealmurgs & @cioz_ 🎢 . Studio sessions with @therealmurgs & @cioz_ 🎢
..
#idmmag #ryanmurgatroyd #cioz #modular #techno #housemusic #Synth #b2b
Friday night in JHB with @noraenpure for #ChasingS Friday night in JHB with @noraenpure for #ChasingSunsets at @altitudebeach πŸ₯³

Who was there? 
..
#idmmag #noraenpure #housemusic #altitudebeach #party #jhb
Load More... Follow on Instagram

© 2022 IDM Mag. All Rights Reserved

Website by Terri Love Designs


Return To Top
MENU
  • Home
  • News
  • Tech News
  • Tech Tutorials
  • Tech Spotlight
  • Featured
  • Freebies
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram