Last week, a sizeable portion of the music industry descended upon the Hard Rock Hotel in Ibiza for the 2016 edition of IMS Ibiza. The annual conference sees the great and good of the music world convene to take the temperature of electronic music, and this year was no different. With a schedule of live seminars, keynote interviews, panels and masterclasses, all of which contributed to a lively debate on key topics, from technology and business through to headline-making artist interviews – and there was plenty of amazing music, too. Of course, we were down the front.
For us, there were two main highlights of day one. Firstly, the Space Ibiza: End of An Era with Carl Cox, Pepe Roselló and Lynn Cosgrove roundtable. As Space Ibiza enters its final year, founder Roselló and long-term resident Carl Cox discussed the history of the legendary club and it’s lasting legacy. “In Ibiza, most of the crowd needs to feel a sort of… they need to discover something. Have a different experience,” said Pepe Roselló. “Connect with people from other countries. This terrace was amazing because it was a point of… Everybody being happy, together.”
Seth Troxler and Dave Haslam discuss the enduring value of vinyl
The second revealing discussing was the one between artist Seth Troxler and former Hacienda DJ and journalist Dave Haslam. Last year Haslam sold his entire record collection – all 4,500 slabs of it – to Troxler, and using this topic as a starting point, the pair ruminated on the emotional importance of vinyl, playing some of their favourite records in the process. “My position in electronic music is the person who preserves the cause,” said Troxler. “By buying these records, it’s a way for me to continue one day telling that story, a story that needs to be told. Music is not disposable.”
From left to right: PB’s Danny De Matos takes to the airwaves, selfies with Nicole Moudaber and the Striving For Excellence & The Art of Playing Differently panel
IMS Ibiza also presented the opportunity for us to catch up with a few familiar faces. Day two saw us reunite with former PB student and international DJ/producer Nicole Moudaber. She was taking part in a Striving For Excellence & The Art of Playing Differently panel alongside some of her fellow renowned artists and DJs, including Black Coffee, Dubfire, James Zabiela, Carmine Conte (Tale Of Us) and Richie Hawtin. The catalyst behind the talk was Hawtin’s new MODEL1 mixer, with the artists contributing their views of DJing and equipment. Elsewhere, in the lobby of the Hard Rock Hotel, Point Blank instructor Danny De Matos played a set for Ibiza Sonica Radio.
The second day also gave rise to one of the conference’s biggest talking points: Erick Morillo’s candid interview with Pete Tong. Discussing his career, the renowned producer and DJ opened up about his struggles with addiction as well as the redeeming power of music.
Up-and-coming DJ and former PB student Holly Louise with Point Blank CEO Rob Cowan
However it wasn’t all about established stars. We bumped into 19-year-old Holly Louise, a former Point Blank DJ course student and the winner of 2016’s House the House competition. Her prize? To support Carl Cox at the Houses of Parliament gig staged by the Last Night a DJ Saved My Life Foundation. It was fitting, after all IMS Ibiza is all about looking to the future and, having seen her DJ at the gig in April we reckon she’s got that one covered.
If you want to have a career in the music industry and dream of shaping its future – and maybe even landing yourself on a panel or two – you need to come and study at Point Blank. Our BA (Hons) Music Production & Sound Engineering degree is the pinnacle of what we offer and gives you a 360-degree view of your options in the industry. Our courses are developed by professionals who have worked with Pharrell Williams, Chemical Brothers, Swedish House Mafia and Massive Attack. Modules cover music composition, DJing, live sound engineering, music business and much more. Validated by Middlesex University, you won’t find a better way to immerse yourself in your passion for music – and right now there’s no better time to enrol. We’re offering a 10% discount off all London BA (Hons) degree and diploma courses, simply t go to the enrolment page of your chosen course and enter PB10. You can find out more about our BA (Hons) Music Production & Sound Engineering degree here.
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