Going Global Music Summit Announces First International Speakers
Aotearoa’s premier music industry event returns for 2025 with a new round of influential international speakers and an open invitation for New Zealand artists to connect, collaborate, and take their music to the world.
“We’re really looking forward to welcoming people from the global music community,” says IMNZ General Manager, Dylan Pellett, “giving them a chance to engage with our local music people, and experience some top-flight musical mavericks from Aotearoa.”
The first confirmed guests for this year’s summit include some of the most respected names in global music programming and artist development:
– Kimberley Galceran – Festival Booker, DARK MOFO (AU)
– Dev Sherlock – Senior Music Programmer, SXSW (USA)
– Lau Frías – A&R Director, Secretly Group (US)
– Adam Ryan – Festival Programmer, The Great Escape (UK)
– Rebecca Young – Booking Agent, Collective Artists (AU)
– Lucy Pitkethly – Promoter/Booker, Eat Your Own Ears (UK)
– Brian Zabinski – USA visa & immigration, Tamizdat (USA)
– Lorrae McKenna – Owner/Director, Our Golden Friend (AU)
– Boyan Pinter – A&R/Label Manager, Believe / Founder, Spike Bulgarian Festival & Showcase (BULGARIA)
– Alyse Newman – PR, Artist Management, Aanthologies (AU)
– Satria Ramadhan – Owner, SRM Bookings & Services / Co-Founder, AXEAN Festival (INDONESIA)
These speakers represent festivals and organisations that have shaped the trajectory of artists across the globe – from breaking new acts at SXSW and The Great Escape to staging some of the world’s most adventurous live music experiences.
Going Global remains a launchpad for Aotearoa artists, providing pathways into international markets. In recent years, solid connections formed at the summit have led to overseas bookings, festival slots, and career-making opportunities. 2024 saw several NZ acts go on to be offered showcases at key events, secure international representation, and expand their global reach thanks to relationships sparked at Going Global.
One standout from 2024 is Phoebe Rings, a Going Global showcasing artist who connected with Max Thomas (Reason Why Management / Secretly Group, AUS). Thomas attended the summit as a delegate, witnessed their performance, and subsequently signed them to his management roster, directly overseeing their international career.
“Everyone at Going Global is there because they want to discover the best new artists before the rest of the industry does,” says Thomas. “It’s an incredible chance to get a leg-up on the global stage. If you’re a local artist and haven’t played Going Global yet — 1000% apply!”
This year Going Global moves to Q Theatre – a new home for the conference component, offering increased capacity to reflect the scale and momentum of Aotearoa’s music community. After consistently selling out, the move allows more space for artists, industry, and creatives to connect, learn, and lay the groundwork for launching onto the world stage.
Tickets to Going Global 2025 are on sale now, with early bird pricing available until August 4 via Q Theatre. Don’t miss this opportunity to join the conversation, grow your network, and access the world stage – right here in Aotearoa.
Stay tuned as IMNZ and the NZ Music Commission unveil an illustrious full lineup of international representatives and experts in the fields of music A&R, booking, licensing, management, marketing, promotion, and publishing in the weeks to come. The ever-popular announcement of Aotearoa Artists selected to showcase to our international guests, and fans, will be announced very soon!
GOING GLOBAL MUSIC SUMMIT 2025
Thursday August 28th & Friday August 29th 2025
Q Theatre, Auckland, New Zealand
Earlybird Tickets are on sale now at Q Theatre
Full Going Global 2025 tickets include both the conference days and the showcase nights.
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE
GOING GLOBAL PRESENTS 2025 ARTIST SHOWCASES
24 Showcasing performances across three stages
Thursday, August 28th & Friday, August 29th 2025
Whammy! & Double Whammy! – St Kevins Arcade, Karangahape Rd, Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland
