The International Music Summit (IMS) is expanding to the UAE with the inaugural edition of IMS Dubai.

Supported by partners AlphaTheta and Beatport, the electronic music conference is set for 14-15 November at W Hotel Dubai – Mina Seyahi in response to the growing importance of the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region.

The two-day summit will bring together  artists, thought leaders and industry stakeholders to explore the intersection of music, finance, culture and technology in the territory.

Created in 2007, the flagship IMS Ibiza welcomed 1,500 delegates from 54 countries across three days this year, alongside 159 speakers and 208 press attendees at an event hosted by BBC Radio 1 broadcasters Pete Tong and Jaguar.

The Dubai event continues IMS’ tradition of hosting international spin-offs, with previous events held in Los Angeles (IMS Engage), Shanghai and Singapore (IMS China and IMS Asia-Pacific) and Malta (IMS College).

“To make a global impact, IMS seeks to be where change is happening, which is why we’ve also hosted three editions of IMS Asia Pacific in Shanghai and one in Singapore, five IMS Engage events in Los Angeles, and three IMS College events in Malta,” say the IMS founders. “IMS Dubai will debut in the United Arab Emirates, marking a strategic expansion into the Middle East and North Africa. IMS, majority owned by Beatport, will not receive government or cultural funding or incentives for this initiative.

“Our goal is to inspire continued growth, support, and investment while addressing the unique cultural challenges musicians and start-ups face”

“Our goal is to inspire continued growth, support, and investment while addressing the unique cultural challenges musicians and start-ups face. Electronic music culture is built on long standing principles of bringing people together from diverse backgrounds on the dancefloor. Music has the power to unify and we all have a part to play in creating safer spaces for all; a principle that IMS and Beatport proudly stand behind.”

The first confirmed speakers include Maha ElNabawi (Billboard Arabia), Aloki Batra (Five Hospitality & The Pacha Group), Janet Ashak, (YouTube MENA) and Karima Damir (Warner Music ME) and Salam Kmeid (Anghami). In addition, Tomorrowland will present its Terra Solis venture in Dubai.

Artist speakers include Deep Dish, Abdell Rahman, Saliah,  Yas Meen Selectress, Cosmicat and Parvané, as well as producer Stryv, who will be interviewed by IMS co-founder Pete Tong.

IMS Dubai will also host a series of exclusive evening events featuring local and international talent, with the summit to culminate with a closing celebration at Dubai venue Hive, Soho Garden.

Badges will go on sale on Thursday (19 September) priced from dh435 (€107) with discounted badges available for full time students, under 27s and People of Determination priced from d215 (€53).

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Pete Tong MBE will become the first DJ to play on the grid at Silverstone racing circuit when he performs at this weekend’s British Grand Prix.

The historic set will take place on Sunday 7 July ahead of the Formula 1 race– and a day after the legendary British DJ performs on the mainstage for Pete Tong presents Ibiza Classics with Jules Buckley and The Essential Orchestra.

Tong’s Saturday set is part of a four-day live music offering also headlined by Kings Of Leon (Thursday 4 July), Stormzy (Friday 5) and Rudimental (Sunday 7).

Additional acts include The Snuts (Thursday), Self Esteem (Thursday), Jordss (Friday), Ghetts (Friday), Arielle Free (Saturday) and Anna De Ferran (Sunday).

The famous motor racing circuit this year has reconfigured its music arena for an increased capacity of 60,000, plus enhanced viewing and a bigger stage.

“It’s fair to say the 2024 British Grand Prix is going to be bigger and better than ever before”

Last year’s British Grand Prix attracted record crowds of 480,000 people and featured performances from Calvin Harris, Tom Grennan, Cat Burns, Jess Glynne, Black Eyed Peas and Jax Jones.

The live music offering is provided at no extra cost to British GP ticket holders.

“Our long-term ambition has always been to attract the biggest and best artists in the world to Silverstone to put on a spectacular show for the British fans,” says Silverstone’s commercial director Nick Read.

“With Kings of Leon, Stormzy, Pete Tong and Rudimental on this year’s line-up, it’s fair to say the 2024 British Grand Prix is going to be bigger and better than ever before! We knew we had a massive job on our hands following the great success of last year’s music offering, so we are thrilled to be able to take things up another notch.”

The 2024 British Grand Prix’s entertainment offering also includes a comedy stage on Friday and Saturday night, with Russell Kane, Troy Hawke, and Al Murray confirmed to perform.

A 10,000-capacity Big Top stage will feature immersive family entertainment, while a new 2,000-capacity fan zone will broadcast England and selective Euros matches.

Formula 1, which was acquired by Live Nation shareholder Liberty Media in 2017, has increasingly utilised live music as part of its Grand Prix weekend festivities.

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Pete Tong, along with The Heritage Orchestra and its founder Jules Buckley, will bring live music back to London’s O2 for the first time since the advent of the pandemic in March.

The BBC Radio 1 DJ and co will perform Ibiza classics without an audience, taking full advantage of the floor space afforded by the 21,000-capacity venue.

Fans will be able to watch ‘O Come, All Ye Ravers’ on 19 December via LIVENow and tickets will be free for O2 customers and upwards of £10 for others.

Pete Tong presents Ibiza Classics with The Heritage Orchestra and Jules Buckley was held at the O2 for the first time in December 2016 and has returned to sell-out crowds each year since. The live event will return to the O2 with a live audience on 4 and 5 December 2021.

“We’re going to perform from the floor of the O2 arena and broadcast it right into your homes”

“We are very excited that Pete Tong, The Heritage Orchestra and Jules Buckley are returning to the O2 with their Ibiza Classics show for a fifth consecutive year – no pandemic will get in the way of this annual tradition,” says Christian D’Acuna, the O2 programming director.

“It will be the first time the O2 has had any live music performed in the venue since March and despite there being no fans in the venue, it’s great to return to live with one of our favourite shows. We can’t wait to tune in on Saturday 19 December and look forward to the return of fans for next years confirmed Pete Tong Ibiza Classics shows at the O2.”

Pete Tong says: “2020, our whole year has been lost – no tours, no shows, no exceptions! We can’t be together in clubs or concert arenas but we can still put on a show for you. We’re going to perform from the floor of the O2 arena and broadcast it right into your homes. The rave will be back one day but for now, we are going to make the most of what we have!”

Early bird tickets go on general sale at 9 am on 27 November from the O2’s website. O2 customers can get their tickets for free via the Priority app from 9 am tomorrow (26 November) until the afternoon on the day of the event.

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