IMS RETURNS WITH NOORIYAH, PETE TONG, NICOLE MOUDABER, HUGEL, BEDOUIN & MORE

IMS Dubai is back at the design-led 25hours Hotel One Central, returning after last year’s sold-out debut with a bigger program than ever.

Co-hosted by DJ and producer Nooriyah, alongside IMS co-founder and global industry icon Pete Tong, this year’s summit strengthens the bridge between the MENA scene and the wider electronic world.

The updated speaker and artist roster features DJ Habibeats, Josh Baker, Vanco, AYA, Gawdat, and Sarah Hardan, joining a heavyweight lineup that already includes HUGEL, Nicole Moudaber, Bedouin, Misty, Rolbac, Megatronic, and Jade.

Beyond the DJ sets and networking sessions, IMS Dubai will spotlight the ideas shaping the future of dance music, with global platforms such as Spotify, YouTube, TikTok, Sony Music Publishing, IFPI, Music Nation, and JDEED joining discussions exploring creativity, technology, and the next evolution of the regional scene.

In the Music & Culture Room, sessions will dive into how sound, style, and storytelling continue to define dance culture, including The Pyramids Playbook, unpacking how monumental electronic experiences are staged at scale, and Mahraganat: From the Streets to the Mainstream, exploring the rise of Egypt’s most influential underground movement.

A global-first interview with Vanco and AYA will break down their worldwide hit ‘Ma Tnsani’, while Is the DJ Booth the New Runway? will explore the intersection of electronic music and fashion, and AMA: Live Music in the MENA Region will examine how the Gulf’s live music scene is evolving.

Meanwhile, the Tech & Finance Room will turn its attention to the future of sound, streaming, and blockchain, covering topics like valuing music as an asset, tokenisation, and the role of gaming and virtual concerts in reshaping the industry.

Highlights include a Beatport Connect production afternoon featuring a conversation between Josh Baker and Pete Tong, an in-depth look at Nicole Moudaber’s studio process hosted by the Pete Tong DJ Academy, and a DJ Mag How To DJ workshop with DJ Habibeats.

Tech partners Beatport.io, Polkadot, and Avalanche will also explore how Web3, NFTs, and decentralised technology are transforming artist-fan relationships and powering a new creative economy, one where the Middle East’s emerging producers and DJs are playing an increasingly influential role.

On the 6th floor, Ibiza Global Radio & The Sandy Times will host Thursday’s showcase, followed by Mixmag UAE and Beat FM on Friday, with two full days of DJ performances celebrating the region’s evolving sound.

In collaboration with the Pete Tong DJ Academy, IMS Dubai is also searching for the region’s next breakout talent – one rising DJ will win a live performance slot at the summit, a one-year PRO scholarship covering DJ, production and mastering courses, and a Delegate Badge for full event access.

IMS Dubai 2025 runs 13th–14th November at 25hours Hotel One Central, uniting MENA and global music communities for two days of conversation, collaboration, and celebration of electronic culture.