International Music Summit today unveiled the leading figures of electronic music that will be featured across the sessions and seminars of IMS College – Malta on July 1-3rd. The three-day learning experience will focus on teaching, engaging and inspiring the next generation of electronic music professionals and creators
Fourteen speakers, broadly encompass the industry, providing access from every angle, and allowing a 360-degree insight into the future, and function of this scene. In bringing together the world’s young minds, IMS College – Malta will with its partners, Point Blank Music School, SAE, as well as worldwide panels, help progress music and educate prodigies to come.
With the same renowned reputation, IMS summons up for its summits in Ibiza and globally, IMS College – Malta invite down true industry icons and innovators to mentor, led by main man Pete Tong. The respected voice and champion of club-land from BBC Radio 1 speaks on DJing and Radio, from almost indefinite knowledge acquired over decades curating the sound of the scene.
Pete Tong says, “Education is intrinsically at the heart of all things IMS over the last nine years, so we’re delighted to announce IMS College in Malta. This is a new initiative with one aim: to inspire the next generation of artists, managers, agents, label owners and entrepreneurs. We look forward to spending one-to-one time with many industry icons and those who are wanting to make a career out of the music we love.”
Co-founder of IMS, Ben Turner, likewise needs little introduction after years informing on the industry, with an intuition that he brings to his topic of Artist Management after managing Richie Hawtin and Rob Da Bank.
Imparting valuable advice for aspiring producers and artists, Eli & Fur speak to up-comers as newcomers themselves. Achieving acclaim from the quickly garnered support of Maceo Plex, Hot Since 2 and Pete Tong among others, this London duo know well the trials of and tips for success. Developing on Music Production as a primary area for many young creatives, Joost Stuursma discusses the hotly debated phenomenon of Ghost Production, being one of international prevalence himself. Music Engineering is given exciting focus by Chief Engineer of Red Bull Studios in Amsterdam, Frank De Jong. Working with SAE Institute also, this highly technical, inventive and vital part of the musical process will be uncovered by one of the fields top intellects.
Music Production is taken further by breakdowns in Ableton Live with two accomplished masters from Point Blank Music School. Stefano Ritteri of Dirtybird, Sound Pellegrino and Exploited Records, with credits for Depeche Mode and Underworld to only scratch the surface of his catalogue, will deliver one masterclass in the methods behind mix-perfect use of the program. Ski Oakenfull hosts one of his highly demanded deconstructions, in the past taking audiences through tours of tracks from Kraftwerk, Moderat, Caribou and Disclosure, here navigating the classic ‘Ocean Drive’ by Duke Dumont.
The world of events which give platform to the work of producers and performers is demonstrated in depth, with three in-the-know guests. The director of Hideout Festival in Croatia and Annie Mac’s flagship Lost & Found Festival in Malta, Wilf Gregory oversees something of a Mediterranean empire which enjoys a central position on the electronic circuit. Formerly the brand director and club booker of Pacha Ibiza, Danny Whittle went on to establish his own IBZ Entertainment, a service that consolidates booking and programming for artists and talent buyers around the world. These and Lucy Allen, Head of Festival & Events Press at Listen UP PR who communicates top events such as Parklife, SW4 and We Are FSTVL to international media, will lend lessons on their competitive market.
The final names speak volumes for the prominence of the business behind the scene. Label boss Mark Brown has since founding CR2 Records pioneered the independent market through major milestone releases, a list from the likes of Eric Prydz, Steve Angello and David Guetta. On the impact of Legal and Music Rights, Mark Lawrence of The Assocation For Electronic Music and Robert Horsfall of Sound Advice LLP give expert examination. Both are dedicated to fair representation as a key issue, the former from a career at PRS For Music and the latter defending the rights of Röyksopp and Knife Party to name two. Without forgetting the all-important influence of artist agents, with titan behind the talent Laura Newton of CAA who represents Róisín Murphy, Markus Schulz, Ferry Corsten, Chromeo, Little Dragon, Hercules & Love Affair.
Festpop Staff Writer Laura Capito
