Gibson Brands Falls Under Ibiza´s Spell at IMS

Now in its eighth year, the International Music Summit (IMS) hosted by DJ Pete Tong and attended by luminaries such as Trevor Horn, Sven Väth, Patrick Moxey, and many more, is the ultimate conference devoted to dance music. This year’s theme, “Back2Live,” featured acts that integrated electronic sets with live instruments, making it a perfect entry point for Gibson to support emerging live bands. The opening night’s free concert, co-sponsored by IMS and Gibson, was a groundbreaking crossover showcase of up-and-coming stars that had the audience electrified from the very first note. Acts including April Towers, This Is a Recording and Uner (all of whom played Gibson guitars) proved that traditional instruments and electronics could not only co-exist, but amplify each others potential.

Gibson’s involvement also included the presence of the Gibson tour bus so people could experience various pieces of Gibson Brands gear, plus it hosted some impromptu concerts and was even outfitted with a small recording studio where legendary producer Arthur Baker (Afrika Bambaataa, New Order, Bob Dylan, and others) recorded a track in Cakewalk SONAR software with his personal TR-808 drum machine. Furthermore, several highlights of the Back2Live panel discussion came from Gibson’s Craig Anderton, who inspired attendees to pursue bold, new musical directions by sharing his innovative techniques for combining electronics and guitars.

At the finale IMS concert in Dalt Vila, Gibson Brands supported headliners Rudimental (whose guitarist Amir Amor played with several Gibson guitars), as well as the acoustic guitar work of Barcelona duo Thalab. Gibson also interviewed numerous artists for the company’s global social media networks, and visited Sonic Vista studios (which has hosted projects by artists like David Guetta, Lady Gaga, Swedish House Mafia, Judge Jules, and Liam Gallagher).

Gibson CEO and Chairman Henry Juszkiewicz elaborates, “Ibiza is the epicenter of today’s cutting-edge music, so we wanted to support not only IMS but Ibiza’s vibrant musical community. With the renewed interest in combining traditional instruments and electronics, the event was a natural fit for us—and everyone from Gibson Brands appreciated the warm welcome and enthusiasm not just from IMS, but the people of Ibiza.”