Music Commission News

Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ) and the New Zealand Music Commission are thrilled to reveal the final details for Going Global Music Summit 2025; including the Going Global Festival day splits, the last wave of powerhouse speakers, and a first hint at the thought-provoking panels that will fuel two days of industry connection and inspiration.

The annual two-day summit and festival returns to Tāmaki Makaurau Thursday, 28 and Friday, 29 August, uniting Aotearoa’s brightest artists with international speakers, festival bookers, and tastemakers from across the globe. It’s a concentrated hit of futureshaping conversations by day, and unmissable performances by night, the perfect place to discover your next favourite band before the rest of the world does.

This year’s Going Global Festival is a crash course in the best new music from across Aotearoa from a plethora of talent looking to make their mark overseas. Over two nights, 24 acts from every corner of the country hit central Tāmaki Makaurau, pairing homegrown heavyweights like Wiri Donna, There’s A Tuesday, and Anthonie Tonnon with rising names you’ll be bragging about discovering first: Bub, Beth Torrance and The Garden Party, Ferby, IVY, NOÉ, and more.

It’s a rare chance to see the most exciting sounds in the country all in one place, with the world’s music industry watching.

Alongside the festival, the next cohort of Going Global speakers brings together a diverse group of festival programmers, label leaders, and artist advocates from around the world. IMNZ is pleased to welcome Pixie Weyand, Music Festival Programmer at SXSW (USA), stepping in for Dev Sherlock. While Great Escape’s Adam Ryan is no longer able to participate this year, a festoon of this year’s summit promises valuable insights and connections to support Aotearoa’s music industry on the global stage.

Going Global 2025 Full Delegate List:
(** denotes new additions)

** 9LIVES – Artist Keynote (NZ)
Alyse Newman – PR, Artist Management – Aanthologies (AUST)
** Alan Holt – International Manager, NZ Music Commission (NZ)
** Ant Healey – Head of NZ Division, APRA AMCOS (NZ)
** Ara Adams-Tamatea – L.A.B. Artist Keynote
** Ash Harris – Artist Manager, Higher Ground (NZ)
** Ash Hills – General Manager, UNIFIED Artist Management AU/NZ (AUST)
Boyan Pinter – Founder, Spike Bulgarian Festival & Showcase / A&R/Label Manager, Believe (BULGARIA)
** Brad Kora – L.A.B. Artist Keynote
Brian Zabinski – Senior Case Manager, Tamizdat (USA)
** Brendan Gaffney – Global Marketing Secretariat, IMCJ (JAPAN)
** Cathy Oates – Co-Programmer, BIGSOUND / Founder, Original Matters (AUST)
** Cath Andersen CNZM – CEO, NZ Music Commission (NZ)
** Cindy Castillo – Curator/Founder, MadCool Festival (SPAIN)
** Dan Mackta – Managing Director, Qobuz (USA)
** Dan Woolston – Artist Manager, Higher Ground (NZ)
** Gareth Shute – Lil’ Chief Artist Keynote
** Hayley Percy – Head Of Music, Rising Festival (AUST)
** Jess Page – Co-founder, Rareform (USA)
** Jo Oliver – CEO, Recorded Music NZ (NZ)
Kimberley Galceran – Festival Booker, DARKMOFO (AUST)
Lau Frias – A&R Director, Secretly Group (USA)
Lorrae McKenna – Owner/Director, Our Golden Friend (AUST)
Lucy Pitkethly – Promoter/Booker, EatYourOwnEars (UK)
** Mario Stresow – Promoter, FKP Scorpio (GERMANY)
** Maria Amato – CEO & CFO, AIR (AUST)
** Mikee Tucker – Loop Recordings Aot(ear)oa (NZ) – L.A.B. Artist Keynote
** Moranie Kim – General Manager, CJ Cultural Foundation (SOUTH KOREA)
** Ollie Wards – Director of Music, TikTok AU/NZ (AUST)
** Pippa Ryan-Kidd – IMNZ Chairperson (NZ)
** Pixie Weyand – Music Festival Programmer, SXSW Music Festival (USA)
** Princess Chelsea – Lil’ Chief Artist Keynote
** Reggie Ba-Pe – CEO / Founder, ALIAS (AUST)
Satria Ramadhan – Owner, SRM Bookings & Services / Co-Founder, AXEAN Festival (INDONESIA)
** Taro Kumabe – Vice Chairman, IMCJ (JAPAN)
** Will Evans – Music Merchandiser, Qobuz AU/NZ (AUST)

This year’s summit is focused on artist development and will dive deep into the big questions and bold ideas shaping music today, from how TikTok works, to your favourite AI tools, to building your music career, and so much more.

Dylan Pellett, General Manager of Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ), says:

“The interest shown from the wider world in Aotearoa New Zealand artists has never been higher. We are really looking forward to all the connections and discussions to be had over these coming days and beyond.”

Tickets for both the summit and the festival are now on sale. Don’t wait until the rest of the industry is talking about what you missed!

GOING GLOBAL MUSIC SUMMIT 2025
Thursday August 28th & Friday August 29th 2025
Q Theatre, Auckland, New Zealand
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 2025 SHOWCASE FESTIVAL
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
24 Showcasing performances across three stages
Thursday August 28th & Friday August 29th 2025
Whammy! & Double Whammy! – St Kevins Arcade, Karangahape Rd, Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland
FESTIVAL SHOWCASE ONLY TICKETS ON SALE HERE!

Check out all things Going Global below:
Website
Facebook
Instagram

Going Global™ Music Summit culminates in an annual showcase of burgeoning Aotearoa/New Zealand talent, coinciding with industry seminars. The 2025 Summit is proudly brought to you by Independent Music New Zealand in partnership with the NZ Music Commission and is supported by Merlin, Recorded Music NZ, APRA, NZ On Air and Asia New Zealand Foundation. We are a proud supporter of Keychange.