With its fourth year tucked safely and successfully under its belt the International Music Summit once again showed why it has fast become one of the most important gatherings of the electronic music community. Yes there are more parties springing up around the event, but that is only natural. Yes, this year did see the first official opening party and yes, there were a couple of official parties after the Summit wound up – Space and Cadenza opening – but the focal point is still very much on getting ‘Back To Business’.
Emma B is in charge of comparing the event from her spot in the centre of the Gran pool area, keeping everyone informed of what is going on where and when. Sasha, Pete Tong, Rob da Bank and Arthur Baker are among the people milling about chatting to each other about whatever, DJ Paulette is on twitter duty, keeping the rest of the world up to speed on what’s going on, Sonica radio is broadcasting live from one of the corners and there are camera crews everywhere, recording the proceedings for their particular territory. It truly is a global event.
Keeping the Ibiza Gran Hotel as the Summit HQ allows the delegates to enjoy the interaction with their fellow industry professionals, to catch up, to discuss new or ongoing deals and to spark inspiration and ideas in one another. Carefully thought out, planned and ultimately delivered panels add topics for discussion and debate, interesting guests and celebrity interviewers provide entertaining moments galore. None more so than one of the Summit highlights, David Lynch live via skype from his studio just off Mulholland.
Lynch was as entertaining as any one of his numerous hit movies, insightful, humble, thoughtful and funny, talking about everything from what makes a good movie, to his process producing his own electronic music album to his own brand of coffee, which prompted an impromptu commercial for the fascinated audience inside the conference room.
Earlier in the day Richie Hawtin had interviewed Daniel Miller, chairman and founder of Mute records, who described the IMS as,
“An ideal platform to convene with former colleagues and future collaborators and help formulate the flight path to Mute once again becoming a creative space where electronic music can flourish.”
They talked about the early days of electronic music, his first encounter with Depeche Mode, the first time he heard them play and later when he signed them and some of the legendary Mute signing deals, many of which are still in place today. These are people that have succeeded in the electronic music industry and have lost none of their passion for it, it’s no wonder so many new and aspiring artists and professionals attend this Summit.
The Finale at Dalt Villa must be one of, if not THE, ultimate closing party. Dramatic surroundings – check, over excited capacity crowd – check, one of the world’s most beautiful islands – check, an unbelievable sound system – check and a line up to rival any event anywhere on the planet – 2manydjs, Pete Tong, Dubfire, Jason Bentley, Hercules & Love Affair (live) and The Japanese Popstars (Live) – check! It’s the perfect setting, with the perfect cast, providing the perfect end to the perfect week. IMS 2011 draws to a close having once again brought up relevant and challenging points for us all to take on board and drive our industry forward, business is good, roll on next year!
