All aboard: The journey to ILMC 37 starts now

The countdown is on to the 37th International Live Music Conference (ILMC), which will take place at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel between 25-28 February 2025.

Around 2,500 live professionals will muster for the four-day conference to explore ‘current’ affairs, plumb the depths of the business, and chart the new waves of headliners, as they navigate the ever-changing seas of the live music industry.

ILMC 37’s platinum partners are Ticketmaster and, for the 20th year running, Live Nation; gold partners are long-standing supporters CTS Eventim and ASM Global; and silver partners are Tysers, BWO, AXS, Showsec, DEAG Entertainment Group, and LMP Group.

“Live Nation is pleased to be sponsoring ILMC, an event that we have supported for 20 years now,” says Live Nation EMEA president John Reid. “The conference has become a must attend in the diary of everyone working in the live music sector and gives us all the opportunity to come together, take stock, and look ahead to the coming year. We look forward to seeing you all there and to another great ILMC.”

ASM Global will again support ILMC’s Alia Dann Swift Bursary Scheme, which offers a complimentary conference pass and mentoring opportunities to 30 young professionals.

Kicking off the four-day conference is the Greener Events and Innovations conference, run in partnership with A Greener Future, where industry leaders come to discuss the most important sustainability issues impacting the live events industry.

In addition to ILMC’s schedule of debates, workshops, keynotes and events, the conference also sees the return of the second Touring Entertainment LIVE, dedicated to the global business of big brand live entertainment, exhibitions and touring family shows, on Wednesday 26 February.

“This edition of ILMC looks to be a monumental voyage, with a complete overhaul of our agenda”

Meanwhile, ILMC’s Central London showcase event, Soho Calling, has been revamped and expanded and takes place in six music venues across Soho, Central London, during the evening of 26 February.

On Thursday 27 February, The Arthur Awards – the international live music industry’s Oscar-equivalents – will be presented in front of 500 guests during a gala ceremony compered by CAA’s London co-head Emma Banks.

Finally, Friday 28 February sees ILMC Futures Forum come to the fore, with hundreds of up-and-coming future business leaders joining the main group of ILMC delegates for a one-day focus on issues of particular relevance to those earlier in their executive journey.

“This edition of ILMC looks to be a monumental voyage, with a complete overhaul of our agenda designed to cement ILMC’s position as the place where the international live music industry comes together to discuss the issues that matter the most,” says Greg Parmley, head of ILMC.

“2025’s ILMC will feature a sea of networking events, but with new dedicated strands on specific areas of the global business, including workshops, keynotes, presentations and more. We’re excited to reveal more over the coming months.”

The 2024 edition of ILMC included speakers such as Tim Leiweke and Francesca Bodie (OVG), Jay Marciano (AEG Presents), Peter Schwenkow (DEAG), Maria May (CAA), Chris Bray (ASM Global), Emma Bownes (AEG), Phil Bowdery (Live Nation), Marsha Vlasic (IAG), Alex Hardee (Wasserman Music) and Svana Gisla (ABBA Voyage).

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