ILMC 2018 promises close encounters of the 30th kind

The organisers of the International Live Music Conference (ILMC) today launched the event’s ‘Close Encounters of the 30th Kind’ anniversary edition, which will bring together more than 1,000 key decision-makers to London next March for four days of panels, talks and workshops dissecting the business of live music.

A raft of the industry’s top companies have already lined up to support the conference’s 30th year – the second in its new midweek format – set to kick off with a UFO-themed opening party on Tuesday 6 March, with many from the wider music industry also invited.

“With its ongoing mission to maintain peace and harmony among the live music worlds, ILMC 30 will feature more meetings, events, networking and out-of-body experiences than ever,” says conference head Greg Parmley.

“ILMC 30 will feature more meetings, events, networking and out-of-body experiences than ever”

ILMC – described by Ticketmaster International president Mark Yovich as “the leading conference for live entertainment” – has sold out in advance for more than a decade, with delegates including booking agents, promoters, festival organisers, venue operators and related professionals.

Within the schedule, the Arthur Awards – the live music industry’s equivalent of the Oscars – will be presented during a Gala Dinner at 8Northumberland on Thursday 8 March.

ILMC 30 will take place from 6–9 March 2018. The new website, which calls on “otherworldly inhabitants of the live music universe to congregate at the top secret Royal Garden HQ space base in Kensington”, is live at 30.ilmc.com.

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