Month: September 2024

We Belong Here has been uniting house music lovers on Miami’s beautiful Virginia Key Beach for the past three years, organizing sun-kissed, breezy events for the city’s thriving electronic community. Now, the beloved event brand is hosting their first-ever festival experience in New York City.

Taking place within Central Park’s Wollman Rink, the event is set for October 4-6. With its lush greenery and panoramic city skyline views, the famed ice skating rink has roots dating back to the 1950s and remains integral to the vibrant Central Park locale.

After revealing headliners Kaskade, FISHER and Monolink over the summer, We Belong Here has now announced the festival’s full lineup. Joining them in the Big Apple in the fall are Stephan Bodzin, Anabel Englund, Dombresky and Lipless, among others.

These acts will perform on We Belong Here’s signature 360° stage, a staple of its annual Miami festival. Check out the lineup below.

c/o We Belong Here

We Belong Here’s’ selection of this special location aligns with its boutique approach, choosing unique and exclusive spots to host their unforgettable events.

“We are creating a refined festival experience in New York that is truly for all New Yorkers—with the fan at the forefront of every decision,” said Justin Dauman, co-founder of We Belong Here. “We’ve worked tirelessly over the past two years of planning to strike a balance between the most well-received aspects of our Miami festival and an artistic ambiance that is true to the City’s cultural diversity.”

“As born and raised New Yorkers, Justin and I have dreamed of hosting an event like this one,” added co-founder Charles Hochfelder. “Our team is ready to produce an unforgettable experience that embodies the energy and spirit of New York City through music, nature, history, dance, and culture. We’re grateful for the rare opportunity given to us by the New York City Parks Department and Wollman Rink, and we will use this platform to create a profound positive impact in the NYC community.”

A portion of the events proceeds will finance paid-in-full scholarships for economically underprivileged city residents to attend Scratch Academy, according to a press release. Founded by Jam Master Jay, the late DJ of the legendary hip-hop group Run-DMC, the school now helps aspiring musicians learn key skills to kick off their careers in music.

“Community festivals like these bring people together, fostering belonging, cultural exchange and community ties. It creates new opportunities and enriches the lives of our diverse city for generations to come,” said NYC Parks Manhattan Borough Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “This festival will not only provide an unforgettable experience for New Yorkers in an inclusive environment but also help underprivileged city residents attend Scratch Academy, where they can learn performance and business skills for a music career.”

You can find out more about the festival and purchase tickets here.

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The International Music Summit is expanding to Dubai, its organizers revealed today.

Held annually in Ibiza, the storied summit has grown into one of the electronic music industry’s most influential gatherings, serving as a seedbed for innovation and growth over the course of its 17-year history. From major label executives to emerging DJs, IMS attracts a diverse range of attendees who come together to discuss industry trends, explore new technologies and celebrate the culture on a global scale.

Hosted by Pete Tong, the inaugural IMS Dubai is scheduled for November 14-15 at W Hotel – Mina Seyahi in partnership with AlphaTheta and Beatport. The event is said to focus on “investment, entrepreneurship and business growth” while “celebrating the innovative music and rich cultural heritage of the MENA region, spotlighting the artists, collectives and visionaries driving its evolution.”

IMS won’t receive government incentives or funding to execute its expansion into the region, according to its founders.

“Our goal is to inspire continued growth, support and investment while addressing the unique cultural challenges musicians and startups face,” the summit’s founders said in a press release. “Electronic music culture is built on long-standing principles of bringing people together from diverse backgrounds on the dancefloor. Music has the power to unify and we all have a part to play in creating safer spaces for all; a principle that IMS and Beatport proudly stand behind.”

Fueled by a spate of high-profile acquisitions and venue openings, Dubai’s nightlife sector is flourishing. The proprietors of the iconic Tomorrowland festival in 2022 opened a palatial desert resort, Terra Solis, billed as “a unique glamping experience in the Arabian Dunes.” Dubai-based hospitality titan FIVE in 2023 acquired Pacha Group, one of Ibiza’s most illustrious nightlife institutions, in a deal valued at $330 million.

A few months later, the organizers of Romania’s massive UNTOLD Festival launched an offshoot in Dubai, which they called the city’s “first mega-festival.” A new open-air “superclub,” WHITE, also opened in the Dubai Harbor by virtue of a momentous show headlined by South African dance music icon Black Coffee.

Speakers confirmed for the first IMS Dubai include Aloki Batra, CEO of FIVE Hospitality and Pacha Group; Janet Ashak, Head of YouTube Music for MENA; Karima Damir, A&R Director for Warner Music Middle East; and Maha ElNabawi, Managing Editor of Billboard Arabia, the lattermost of whom will deliver the opening keynote.

Representatives from a bevy of renowned electronic music brands will also appear at the summit, like Tomorrowland, HE.SHE.THEY., Defected Records and the Association for Electronic Music. On the artist side, speakers include Deep Dish, Stryv, Cosmicat, Yasmeen Selectress and Parvané, among others.

Badges for IMS Dubai are set to go on sale Thursday, September 19th. You can find out more via the summit’s website.