Day one of Beatport Presents IMS Dubai opened to a sold-out crowd, drawing industry leaders, artists, and forward thinkers from across the region and beyond. The day began with the Beatport Breakfast - fresh coffee fueling even fresher conversations - setting the stage for a programme that examined the evolving crossroads of music, culture, finance, and technology.

From discussions on the future of nightlife and the ascent of underground visionaries to Nicole Moudaber’s commanding keynote and sessions exploring fashion, gaming, and tokenisation, the summit delivered a tightly curated agenda. It was a dynamic showcase of collaboration and innovation, underscoring the rapid momentum of electronic music in the region.

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“There's been an undeniable shift in SWANA music and the diaspora. I grew up in Saudi Arabia and I never thought l'd be able to return as Nooriyah the DJ.” — Nooriyah (Artist & Co-Host)

**One of the summit’s most anticipated conversations was The Past, Present & Future of MENA Nightlife, presented in partnership with SceneNoise—**

A landmark panel uniting some of the region’s most influential architects of club culture. Bringing together Ahmed El Ganzoury of GNK Group, MDLBEAST’s Baloo, multidisciplinary artist Megatronic, and Factory People co-founder Wassim Bou Malham, and moderated by SceneNoise founder Timmy Mowafi, the session traced the evolution of MENA’s dance music landscape from its underground origins to its current era of large-scale festivals and global recognition. The discussion tackled the creative and cultural forces reshaping nightlife today: the tension between community integrity and commercial growth, questions of access and identity, and the shifting expectations around safety, etiquette, and space design - from VIP culture to phone-free floors. More than a retrospective, the panel offered a candid examination of how the region can preserve the radical inclusivity of its early rave roots while navigating a rapidly expanding and increasingly sophisticated ecosystem.

IMS Dubai 2025

In the Spotlight Session dedicated to the MDLBEAST Foundation, Nada Alhelabi offered an inside look at the remarkable five-year evolution of XP Music Futures and the vision guiding its next chapter. Her session underscored how XP has become a catalytic force in shaping the MENA music ecosystem - championing emerging talent, creating pathways for industry development, and laying the groundwork for a sustainable creative infrastructure. What began as an ambitious cultural initiative has grown into a platform driving genuine transformation, positioning XP as one of the region’s most influential engines of progress in music and the wider creative economy.

The Spotlight Session on Addmind cast a lens on IMS Dubai’s key nightlife partners, offering a curated look at the venues, brands, and experiences defining the region’s ever-evolving after-dark landscape. Through a series of presentations, each partner took the stage to share their story, creative philosophy, and the distinctive impact they’ve made on the industry. Together, these insights painted a vivid picture of how the region’s most influential nightlife players continue to shape culture, set standards, and push boundaries across the MENA entertainment scene.

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Building on the momentum of an inspiring opening day, Beatport Presents IMS Dubai returned with a programme that captured the full breadth and complexity of the region’s musical landscape. With a creative spotlight on Lebanon, dynamic debates on live music, AI, and the rising “Habibification” of house, the day’s sessions examined how the Middle East is increasingly influencing global industry discourse. Keynote moments from HUGEL, along with Josh Baker’s conversation with Pete Tong, added sharp artistic insight - offering timely perspectives from voices helping define the current sound and direction of electronic music.

IMS Dubai 2025

For the second consecutive year, Beatport Presents IMS Dubai reached full capacity—and day two made it clear why the summit continues to command such momentum. Co-hosted by Pete Tong and Nooriyah, the programme drew together artists, executives, and cultural leaders from across the Arab world and beyond for a full day of discussions, workshops, presentations, and meaningful networking.

The conversations pushed further into the evolving intersections of music, culture, finance, and technology, unpacking everything from the impact of AI and Web3 on the industry to the growing leadership of women across the region. Panels spotlighted Lebanon’s creative resilience, the shifting economics of live music, and the rise of local festivals, collectives, and clubs that are no longer chasing global trends but actively shaping them - asserting the region’s influence on the international stage.

The session Leading by Example: The Power of Female Role Models in Music, presented by Little Pink Book, marked the launch of the Little Pink Book x SceneNoise MENA Women in Music mentorship programme with a powerful conversation on representation and leadership. Bringing together industry trailblazers - including Amira Guetif, Celina Aoun, Hadeel Hmaidi, Lara Kays, and Anais D’Olivat, and moderated by Beatport’s Roberta Hickey - the panel explored the influences that shaped their careers and the critical role female visibility plays in the region’s creative landscape. Their discussion underscored why placing women in senior positions and on headline stages is essential not only for equity, but for inspiring and empowering the next generation of MENA talent.

A standout session examined the rising “Habibification” of house music - the growing interplay between regional identity and the global house sound.

DJ Habibeats, Misty, and Jess joined voices from MDLBEAST Records and Dazed Middle East for a frank debate on authenticity versus appropriation, exploring when this cultural fusion serves as genuine celebration and when it risks slipping into exploitation.

“We’re seeing more and more mainstream mega-parties coming to the region, how do you compete? You have to play the game, but also keep doing more interesting things in parallel.” — Wassim Bou Malham (Founder, Factory People)

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Josh Baker’s conversation with Pete Tong delivered a sharp, insightful masterclass for emerging producers, unpacking how an underground mindset can evolve into a sustainable, long-term career. HUGEL followed with an engaging keynote that explored the art of crafting global hits while staying true to one’s creative identity. The momentum continued as Palestinian American artist DJ Habibeats took center stage for the ‘How I DJ’ session presented by DJ Mag, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the technique, intuition, and cultural grounding that define his sets - an undeniable testament to how regional inspirations are increasingly shaping worldwide electronic music.

IMS Dubai 2025

As the sun set, the day’s dialogue seamlessly shifted into celebration atop the 25hours Dubai One Central rooftop pool, where the Beatport Live Sunset Sessions brought the summit’s energy into full view. DJ Habibeats, Vanco, Megatronic, Fairplay, and neighborsbymusic b2b Farsa delivered standout sets, while Bedouin kept the momentum alive at Be Beach well into the night. Make sure to catch the closing party at Surf Club this Sunday.

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13-14 November, 25Hours Hotel Dubai, @internationalmusicsummitdubai

IMS Dubai 2025: Key Highlights, Biggest Moments, and What Really Happened

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