The ILMC (International Live Music Conference) is an annual conference dedicated to the live music industry across the globe.
In the UK, in the late 60s and early 70s – moved by the spirit of the times – several ex-university social secretaries, maverick entrepreneurs and ‘musicians mates’, in somewhat ramshackle fashion moved in to expand a very basic live music business, until then mostly handled by theatre agents and variety club owners. Within a relatively short time, bands, or groups as they were still known as then, were travelling the country in questionable forms of transport and with some trepidation, even crossing the channel to play places where even the electricity was ‘different’. In those days, all of those involved, considered themselves lucky to be making a living from live music – doing business in an area that they loved. But very few, if any, would have referred to themselves as being part of an industry. The live industry? No, that indicated something far too cohesive and organised.

Then things began to change. ILMC founder, Martin Hopewell takes up the story: “Sometime during the summer of 1987, on a street corner in – of all places – New York, the idea of putting together an ‘international live music conference’ came up. It was to be a one-off meeting of the loose collection of entrepreneurs then involved in the world’s concert scene – designed to address several specific issues that were current at the time. The notion that it might be repeated a year later never occurred to me – let alone that 20 years down the line it would not only still be going, but have embedded itself so deeply into the fabric of what we now call the live music industry.

“The fact that those people that made up the live music business, and who had, to a greater extent, and in a very real fashion created that business, wanted to come back again and again, to continue discussion and to cement relationships with their international colleagues, indicated the desire and the need to be part of something solid enough to deserve to be termed ‘an industry’.

“Now there is no question. The industry professionals that attend each sold-out conference are obviously aware of being part of a vibrant, important and continually expanding global entertainment industry. However, no great industry can maintain itself without a sense of responsibility. There has been talk of a ‘golden age’ for live music recently, but we cannot afford to become complacent. Over the years, the industry had grown up, and one of the main and continuing themes of the conference is an awareness that we cannot take things for granted, we must always take care of business.

 “When everything is added up, this conference will be the thing that I am most proud of having been associated with in my career. It has brought people together, provided a platform for the business to find ways of improving itself, and yes, it’s been a lot of fun.”

Meetings have an open and relaxed style, while addressing real issues and problems that affect the business, artists and audiences. The meeting schedules and lay-outs are re-appraised, and if thought necessary, re-formatted each year, and are designed to promote collaboration and co-operation within the international music community, with the expressed aim of developing new codes of practise through consensus.

The ILMC has fostered the formation of most of the international industry’s current trade associations during the last decade and is used by those bodies as a means of regular communication.

Being organised and supported by practising industry professionals gives access to potentially astonishing resources – including the input of virtually every leading concert promoter in the world and coverage offered by all of the major trade magazines. It also publishes IQ magazine and an electronic newsletter ¬– eNews – that both reach around 5000 music industry professionals.

The annual meeting provides not only a discussion forum but also maintains its primary intention, the provision of a vital opportunity for colleagues to meet, do business and enjoy each other’s company. The social agenda is wide-ranging and somewhat unique in its irreverent style. It’s probably one of the very few places where you’ll find top industry professionals entertaining or dismaying their peers by performing enthusiastically, and with varying levels of competence in the Delegate’s Jam - or losing your shirt at a poker tournament. The ILMC also provides a platform for the notorious ‘Arthur Awards’ originally intended as a bit of tongue-in-cheek fun, but now taken very seriously by the winners, their marketing departments, and increasingly all areas of the music press, and in some cases national and local newspapers.

The first ILMC took place in 1988, and was the first ever face-to-face meeting of leading figures involved in the world’s concert industry, many of whom had only ever spoken on the phone before. This initiative to bring people together to discuss and compare their various experiences, proved to be something that these professionals wished to continue. Since then, it has grown organically to become a year-round organisation, and is regarded by many as the most successful forum of its type in the world.

Whilst the ILMC adapts and changes in response to innovations and events affecting the industry, two major factors have remained constant from the very first conference: firstly, the ILMC is designed, organised and supported by active members of the concert industry – not an outside organisation, and secondly, attendance is by invitation only – only acknowledged professionals are invited.

The ILMC takes place in early March each year with registration opening and in late Autumn/early Winter. The event is usually sold out within weeks of registration opening.