Returning for its second edition, Beatport Presents International Music Summit (IMS) Dubai takes over 25hours Hotel One Central on 13 and 14 November, uniting global and regional voices that shape the future of electronic music.
Following a sold-out debut, this year’s summit expands its scope across music, culture, finance and technology, turning Dubai into a meeting point for creativity and commerce across the MENA region and beyond.
Hosted by Pete Tong, IMS Co-Founder and Saudi DJ-producer Nooriyah, the two-day programme features a powerful mix of artists, executives and innovators. The lineup includes HUGEL, Nicole Moudaber, Bedouin, Rolbac, Misty, Megatronic and newcomers DJ Habibeats, Josh Baker, Vanco, AYA, Gawdat and Sarah Hardan, alongside industry figures from Spotify, YouTube, Sony Music Publishing, TikTok, IFPI and Sole DXB.
Across two main rooms, discussions and performances will explore everything from the regional underground to global market trends. The Music & Culture Room will host panels such as The Pyramids Playbook: Staging Monumental Electronic Music Experiences, Mahraganat: From the Streets to the Mainstream and Is the DJ Booth the New Runway? Exploring the Intersection of Electronic Music & Fashion.
Meanwhile, the Tech & Finance Room will focus on the business and digital evolution of the music industry, covering topics such as Tokenisation of Music, Music in Gaming & Virtual Concerts and Valuing Music as an Asset. Participants include Beatport.io, Polkadot and Avalanche, spotlighting how blockchain and Web3 technologies are reshaping artist and fan engagement.
As night falls, the energy continues across Dubai with official afterparties featuring Nicole Moudaber and a Beatport Live series that brings together artists from Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Qatar and beyond. Delegates can also unwind at the Jameson Lounge, a creative hub that celebrates music, collaboration and storytelling.
Further initiatives include the IMS Accelerator, which supports music-tech startups and a Pete Tong DJ Academy competition offering one emerging DJ the chance to perform live during the summit and receive a one-year scholarship.
Badges are available for purchase from the IMS Dubai website at discounted rates for individuals under 27, full-time students and Persons of Determination.
Visit: International Music Summit Dubai
Mariam Khawer is a Dubai-based writer and PR professional whose work spans food, art, and travel across the region. When she isn’t chasing deadlines, she’s likely at a gallery opening, testing out a new restaurant, piecing together one of her mixed-media art projects or at home with her four cats, who keep her on her toes.
