IMS Dubai has announced the first wave of speakers for its November conference.
The slate includes white hot French producer Hugel; Lebanese/British techno pioneer Nicole Moudaber; DJ duo Bedouin, made up of Jordanian producer Tamer Malki and Egyptian-American producer Rami Abousab; Egyptian producer Misty; and Lebanese artist Rolbac. The event will also include the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) premiere of of TAKKUK, an immersive film and audiovisual project by Bicep focused on climate change in the Arctic.
On the executive side, IMS Dubai will host Meta’s strategic partner manager Samer Jamal, AddMind managing partner Elie Saba, Beatport Group CCO Sofia Ilyas and Factory People’s co-founder and resident DJ Jade, along with leaders from companies including EMPIRE, Berklee Abu Dhabi, Dazed MENA, DJ Mag and SceneNouse.
The event will be co-hosted by IMS founder and dance world leader Pete Tong and Saudi-born and UK-based DJ, producer and presenter Nooriyah.
Happening Nov. 13-14 at 25hours Hotel One Central, the conference is focused on the intersection of music, finance, cultural and technology across the Middle East and North Africa. The conference will mark the second edition of IMS to happen in Dubai after its 2024 debut in the United Arab Emirates, an expansion that happened in tandem with surges in the growth of and global interest in the region’s music industry.
The 2024 IFPI report notes that in 2023, streaming revenues dominated MENA, with a 98.4% share of the market in that region. Total MENA revenues rose by 14.4% in 2023, a slower growth than the 26.8% jump in 2022, but numbers that still exceeded the global growth rate.
“Electronic music here is on an exciting upward trajectory, creatively, culturally, and as an evolving market with exciting opportunities for growth and collaboration,” Tong says in a statement. “I’m thrilled to return and co-host alongside Nooriyah. Beatport Presents IMS Dubai provides the perfect backdrop to bring our values to life while showcasing and celebrating the amazing music and talent emerging from the region.”
IMS Dubai is presented by Beatport, which acquired a majority stake in IMS in 2023. The conference has long taken place in Ibiza and has hosted editions in Los Angeles, Singapore and Shanghai over the years.
