08-07-2025
The World's Music Industry Focuses On New Zealand Artists
Press Release – Independent Music New Zealand
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – 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) The force behind Dark Mofo's genre-bending music program and curates live experiences for DarkLab's Hobart venues. A former DJ, radio host and touring director (Bluesfest), she champions bold, boundary-pushing artists with a focus on diversity, intensity, and unforgettable live moments.
Dev Sherlock – Senior Music Programmer, SXSW (USA)
The Director of SXSW Music curates artists and showcases from Aotearoa, Australia, the UK, and the EU. With roots in artist relations, journalism, and music supervision, he plays a key role in shaping one of the world's most influential music festivals.
Lau Frías – A&R Director, Secretly Group (US)
Based in NYC, Laura 'Lau' Frías is A&R Director at Secretly Group (Dead Oceans, Jajaguwar, Secretly Canadian, Saddest Factory), where she works with artists like Chanel Beads and Wednesday. Originally from Lima, Perú, she's championed underrepresented voices across the indie and Latinx music scenes (Omar Apollo, Cuco + more).
Adam Ryan – Festival Programmer, The Great Escape (UK)
The Head of Music at The Great Escape, programming 500+ artists across 90 stages. A longtime champion of emerging talent, he's helped launch early shows for Stormzy, Skepta, The 1975, Mac De Marco, Royal Blood, Jon Hopkins, and more, while curating for global brands like TikTok, Amazon Music, and Fred Perry.
Rebecca Young – Booking Agent, Collective Artists (AU)
Director of Collective Artists, a booking agency representing Aldous Harding, Julia Jacklin, and Jen Cloher. With 15+ years in booking, programming, and artist advocacy, she champions independent voices across Australasia.
Lucy Pitkethly – Promoter/Booker, Eat Your Own Ears (UK)
The senior promoter at Eat Your Own Ears (UK), curating 150+ shows a year with artists like Four Tet, Self Esteem, and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. She also co-founded EYOE Recordings and manages South African producer John Wizards, championing new music on stage and on record.
Brian Zabinski – USA visa & immigration, Tamizdat (USA)
A longtime advocate for international artist mobility and a volunteer with NY-based nonprofit Tamizdat, helping artists navigate U.S. visa processes since 2012. He regularly speaks on the topic at events like BIGSOUND, Wide Days, and Nova Scotia Music Week.
Lorrae McKenna – Owner/Director, Our Golden Friend (AU)
Lorrae McKenna is the founder of Melbourne's Our Golden Friend, a label and management company representing acts like Good Morning, Elizabeth, and RVG. A former A&R and marketing lead at Remote Control, she's worked with artists from Courtney Barnett to Radiohead and is a recipient of the APRA AMCOS Lighthouse Award.
Boyan Pinter – A&R/Label Manager, Believe / Founder, Spike Bulgarian Festival & Showcase (BULGARIA)
A promoter, manager, and founder of SPIKE Showcase, with a background at Live Nation CEE and Glastonbury Festival. Now country manager for Believe, he's worked across logistics, bookings, and artist development in both major and independent spaces.
Alyse Newman – PR, Artist Management, Aanthologies (AU)
Founder of AANTHOLOGIES, a Melbourne-based PR, management, and consultancy agency. A two-time AAM Breakthrough Manager nominee, she manages Asha Jefferies and leads Australian PR for artists including Cate Le Bon, Jessica Pratt, Caribou, and more.
Satria Ramadhan – Owner, SRM Bookings & Services / Co-Founder, AXEAN Festival (INDONESIA)
Satria Ramadhan is the founder of SRM Bookings & Services and co-founder of AXEAN Festival, a key platform for Southeast Asian music. Based in Indonesia, he's a booking agent, tour planner, record store owner, and regional connector, with delegate and speaker appearances at festivals across Asia and Europe.
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!
#goingglobal
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
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
ARTIST SHOWCASE ONLY TICKETS ON SALE SOON!
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