The first speakers for the 2013 edition of the Ibiza International Music Summit, themed 'Beyond the Boom Boom!' this year, have been announced, and there is of course a massive focus on the constantly growing American market. First up we have Bob Lefsetz who will be delivering the 'State of the Nation' keynote address. Bob is a leading industry analyst and blogger from America, one of which the industry seems to pay attention to, and he will be talking about the coming of age of the dance music genre.
Sven Väth, who as you know is playing the Grand Finale party at Dalt Vila, will give a keynote talk on longevity in the business, something he clearly has a lot of knowledge on with his Cocoon party going into its 14th year at Amnesia this season.
British actor Idris Elba will also be delivering a keynote speech as his DJ alter-ego Driis, talking about tradecraft and 'keeping it real as a DJ'. This is sure to be a great watch, particularly as I suspect many people assumed he was American from his work on 'The Wire'.
Founder and owner of Ultra Records - Patrick Moxey - will take us all though his rise from the bottom to the top of the Sony label tree. This American label was started up in New York in 1995 by Moxey, who had been an executive at Polygram and Virgin Records, and ran successfully until 23rd January of this year, when it was merged with Sony, who in return promised to invest in Ultra and Moxey.
As chief of William Morris Endeavour, the largest and oldest global talent agency, Marc Geiger was one of the first to pioneer linking artists with their consumers via the internet (thanks Marc) and he is well positioned to to bring together the overall themes of IMS 2013, giving a keynote speech on the sustainability of electronic music.
Label 'Because Music' was founded by Emmanuel de Buretel in 2004, based out of France but with offices in London too, and he is now the label boss. Artists on the label of course include many French artists such as Justice and Busy P, with many other international artists on the roster. This is billed as 'probably the most honest interview you will ever see'. Let's hope so.
Other major speakers announced so far include promoters Andrea & Antonio from DC10, Paul Van Dyk, Amy Thomson of ATM artists (Swedish House Mafia, Groove Armada), Shelly Finkel of SFX Entertainment, Tomorrowland's Duncan Stutterheim and DJ-Z's Seth Goldstein.
This years IMS Anthem will be created in front of delegates by Groove Armada, with a remix created by one of the most active artists of the moment - Eats Everything. Also, look forward to an exclusive first 'work in progress' screening of Planet Rock & Other Tales Of The 808 – the Arthur Baker produced documentary about the seminal 808 drum machine.
Finally, Fatboy Slim has been announced as the person honoured at the IMS Legends Dinner, last year in honour of Carl Cox, with a free party to be announced tomorrow.
"It's a huge honour to follow Carl Cox and Pete Tong and be the third recipient of the IMS LEGENDS AWARD. Ibiza has been a pivotal part in my life and my career and so there is nowhere better than there to receive it.” - Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim)
