Lets take a closer look on the day one of the 16th edition of IMS Ibiza, presented in partnership with AlphaTheta.
The tone was set by Elijah, who didn’t just introduce this year’s theme of Intergenerational Exchange, but, as always, added his own provocations and inversions — and with accompanying yellow boxes for each.
“The bond across generations is principles and ethics,” he said, as he looked for the shared values that link countries, ages and scenes. “What are you doing to expand the possibilities of electronic music?” he asked the audience. “That’s how we pass the torch to new generations.”
The IMS Business Report carried echoes of the same sentiment. MIDiA Research’s Mark Mulligan stressed that in 2025 it’s about looking beyond the numbers to the cultural impact, to remember that what happens in real-life spaces is what drives this business. There were plenty of encouraging numbers, from a market value for the electronic music industry that grew 6% year-on-year in 2024, reaching a $12.9 billion global valuation. But… “the numbers follow from the culture,” he reminded us.
Afro house is a big strand of that global culture, and across IMS Ibiza this year. In a way, its meteoric success has become a prism through which to view electronic music culture as a whole — as a regional sound that has captured the mainstream, with all the questions about ownership and authenticity that brings up. In a great session moderated by Dare Balogun, Jackie Queens, Zakes Batwini and Shimza struck an optimistic note, clearly excited by the huge opportunities that its popularity has opened up, and a defiant yet somehow inclusive refusal to let outsiders pigeonhole or set rules on that growth. But Jackie also reminded us of the spirit that has fuelled the sound this far: “spirituality, joy, dancing, and music rooted in Black lived experience. That’s the kind of afro house that moves me.”
Indeed, there was a truly global feel to the program today — with afro house, with a session on the opportunities in the Middle East — and MDLBeast Radio broadcasting live in the Lobby — with The Brave Space exploring the rise of South Asia as a force in electronic music, the market focus on Spain — both in live and in recorded music — and the simple fact that there are delegates here from over 50 countries.
It’s a global culture, but as Mark Mulligan pointed out in the Business Report session, electronic music is no longer a monolith; every country, even cities, have their own demarcated scenes and cultures. Looking for the values that connect them, the ideas that can be exchanged, and the opportunities for evolution and growth in different ways and spaces, is the key.
But it’s never just all about grand themes and global movements. It was quite literally standing room only at the How Managers Break Artists panel, where managers David De Valera (Mochakk) and Guga Trevisani (Vintage Culture) were in conversation with HE.SHE.THEY.’s Sophia Kearney. This was IMS Ibiza at its most practical, nuts-and-bolts career-focused, with all three giving actionable advice for artists and managers in their Q&A — from building up a bank of music to grinding out gigs as a selector, even to creating a ‘fake’ management team to handle those awkward negotiations.
Across IMS Ibiza’s four spaces, every session today seemed to find its crowd, especially the calm and secluded The Art of Areté area, where Patrick Mason’s emotional, personal chat with Chloe Lula and choreographer Cecilia Bengolea was a moving testimony to his own biography and self-discovery through movement and dance. Particularly the revelation that a ‘secret’ relative had been part of the voguing scene back in 80s NYC, a revelation which came after Patrick himself decided to come out as queer after moving to Berlin. An intergenerational exchange that transcended time, space and even death. When Cecilia started dancing — demonstrating how interior emotion was so essential to external movement and sensation — it was a privilege to witness, and a unique IMS Ibiza moment.
Back in the big room, in the relaxed yet fascinating conversation between long-time Fatboy Slim manager and founder of Anglo Management, Garry Blackburn, and Black Coffee’s manager, Alegria Agency’s Cristiana Votta, there was also a real feeling of intergenerational exchange in action — “the youth will learn from the older generation and vice versa”, as IMS co-founder Ben Turner had hoped in the introductions that started the day. “There’s no such thing as an average day in this business, that’s what I love the most about the job,” said Votta, with Blackburn in full agreement.
The same applies to IMS Ibiza. If day two is as insightful, inspiring — and surprising — as day one, we’re in for quite a ride.
QUOTES OF THE DAY
“Every initiative that makes it easier to live also makes it easier to create. A lot of government creative policy is focused on the arts, but if rent is too high, that will have a negative impact on creativity.” Elijah
“People talk about the gatekeepers having all gone. They haven’t, they’ve just been replaced by a new gatekeeper: the algorithm.” Mark Mulligan, MIDiA Research
“I owe my entire career as a DJ to radio. It goes beyond just the broadcasting. It provides this bridge between the real world and the online world. It provides connection.” Jaguar
“Afro house means I get to express myself in my most authentic way to the world: without changing myself.” Shimza
“I think many Spanish artists have been lazy. They haven’t taken the risk to go outside of their own country and push their careers. It’s all about attitude and networking. That’s why Paco Osuna has done so well — because he was focused.” Brian Cross, Live Nation Spain
“As artists we’re sponges. Wherever I’m lucky enough to travel, I make sure I go to local club nights, local record shops, try and meet local DJs in the studio, and that broadens my sound and my curation skills. I take inspiration from the noise and find the thing I want to share in the noise.” Chloé Caillet
“People want to buy an experience now rather than just a line-up. A brand like Elrow has shown you can create a brand and experience that’s not about a headliner.” Alex Montoya, Agent & Promoter, Analog Agency
“I think the next generation has to have its own ambition. They need to focus on the music and stick to their guns. They need to worry less about Instagram numbers and what everyone already likes, and push forward with the sounds that they believe in.” Martín Ferrer Vega, Amnesia
“I saw how successful Mochakk was on TikTok and Instagram. But when he then sent me 50 tracks, I knew that we had something real.” David De Valera, Founder & CEO / Director, Spike Management / Circulate
“You learn a lot being a manager about things you never thought you would… geography, immigration, divorce law!” Cristiana Votta, Manager, Alegria Agency
“I think a revelation for me was realising that I wasn't actually the boss in the relationship. All the best artists I’ve worked with know exactly what they want. They might be wrong… but you have to trust them while still having a voice and giving support.” Garry Blackburn, Founder/CEO, Anglo Management
“We’re the pioneers of this thing, we are the voice of this thing. Why would someone else tell us how this sound can be? We have the leverage to dictate where the sound is going. For us to limit where that sound would go is wrong. The canvas is clear: we can explore as much as we can without any fear or doubt.” Shimza
MS Ibiza 2025 - Day One Summary
The 16th edition of IMS Ibiza, in partnership with AlphaTheta, kicked off with a dynamic blend of thought-provoking discussions, cultural insights, and practical advice for the electronic music industry.
Setting the Tone:
Elijah opened the event, introducing the theme of Intergenerational Exchange. His thought-provoking address emphasized the importance of shared values—principles and ethics—that transcend generations. He challenged attendees to consider how they expand the possibilities of electronic music, highlighting the role of cultural continuity in passing the torch to future artists.
Business Insights:
Mark Mulligan of MIDiA Research presented the IMS Business Report, underscoring the growing global market value of electronic music, which reached $12.9 billion in 2024—a 6% year-on-year growth. However, he stressed that beyond numbers, it's the cultural impact and real-life experiences that truly drive the industry forward.
Global Cultural Highlights:
Afro house featured prominently, with industry leaders like Jackie Queens, Zakes Batwini, and Shimza sharing their optimism about its global rise. They celebrated the genre’s roots in Black lived experience, emphasizing spirituality, joy, and authenticity. The event also spotlighted the Middle East’s growing electronic scene, South Asia’s emerging influence, and Spain’s evolving live and recorded music market, reflecting IMS Ibiza’s truly global reach with delegates from over 50 countries.
Practical Industry Advice:
A packed session on How Managers Break Artists provided actionable tips from David De Valera (Mochakk), Guga Trevisani (Vintage Culture), and Sophia Kearney (HE.SHE.THEY.). Their advice ranged from strategic music releases to innovative management approaches.
Personal Stories and Emotional Moments:
In The Art of Areté area, Patrick Mason’s heartfelt conversation with Chloe Lula and Cecilia Bengolea delved into his personal journey of self-discovery through dance, culminating in a moving revelation about his family’s hidden connection to the voguing scene of 1980s NYC.
Intergenerational Wisdom:
The dialogue between Garry Blackburn (Fatboy Slim’s manager) and Cristiana Votta (Black Coffee’s manager) exemplified the day’s theme, showcasing how mutual learning between generations fosters industry growth.
Key Quotes:
“The bond across generations is principles and ethics.” — Elijah
“The numbers follow from the culture.” — Mark Mulligan
“Afro house means I get to express myself in my most authentic way.” — Shimza
“We’re the pioneers of this thing. We have the leverage to dictate where the sound is going.” — Shimza
Looking Ahead:
Day one set a high bar, blending grand cultural themes with practical industry insights. If day two matches its depth and inspiration, IMS Ibiza 2025 promises to be an unforgettable journey.
