They call Ibiza the hub of electronic music and with its sheer amount of DJs, producers and musicians it’s the place where trends and styles are created. Ibiza seems to be the perfect spot for a meeting of musical masterminds and industry professionals to come together for creative exchange.

Five years ago BBC1 radio host and Pacha-DJ Pete Tong initiated the first International Music Summit (IMS) in Ibiza. Every year since then the electronic music scene meets up for networking, workshops and panel discussions. End of May 2012 again local and international movers and shakers discussed the scene’s newest developments at the Ibiza Gran Hotel and got inspired by high end technical gadgets. To visit the professional workshops and discussions you had to have the IMS badge. However, areas like the entrance hall, the lounge and pool areas and the bars and restaurants where open to the public.

Essential to an event like this are of course are the side events and the parties. They were held in several venues as bars and beach clubs and even on the top of D’alt Vila’s old fortress. The list of DJs included many well known names in electronic music like Paul Oakenfold, Carl Cox, Azari & III, Solomun, Silicon Soul and last but not least David Guetta.
Important topics of discussion of this year’s IMS were the booming scene in India, electronic music’s explosion in the US and women’s position in music industry. A young generation of online media aces (the youngest specialist was only 19) explained proficiently the value of social networks like Twitter, Facebook and Youtube for the music sector.

Charismatic superstars from the beginnings of electronic music shared their vast experience with a fascinated audience. Special guest was one of the godfathers of disco in the 70ies, Giorgio Moroder. The successful producer of disco queen Donna Summer was among the first to work with synthesizer which became indispensable tools in music nowadays. Moroders soundtracks for ‚Midnight Express‘ and ‚Flashdance‘ were Oscar awarded.

Trendsetting musician and producer Nile Rodgers (hero of the 70ies band ‚Chic‘) brought his guitar to the IMS and shared anecdotes of his exciting life and work with superstars like David Bowie, Diana Ross and Duran Duran. He will be perfoming live in Ibiza in July at the 123-Festival in San Antonio. Both Rodgers and Moroder also were talking about their collaboration with French Daft Punk and their forthcoming album.

Further IMS speakers were Chilean-Swiss superstar DJ Luciano and Danny Tenaglia, whose reasons for quitting the DJ career were broadcast live from New York. Also Carl Cox and Loco Dice were giving captivating insights into their lives as DJs.

The Finale itself was a once in a lifetime experience, not least because of its location: A huge stage with state of the art sound- and light-equipment had been erected high above Ibiza’s old town, with an incredible 360 degree view. Revellers partied during a spectacular sunset live set of Disclosure who were followed by Seth Troxler and Space resident Carl Cox’s closing set until midnight. Then silence regained Ibizas historic fortress.