A powerful and moving day two of IMS Ibiza put a spotlight on the current mental health crisis within the electronic music industry, uniting artists, electronic music leaders and mental health professionals for frank discussions covering personal experiences with mental health and substance abuse issues and collectively taking first steps towards tackling this problem. A fascinating discussion led by DJ Magexplored the conscious decisions of artists and industry professionals who are making an active and sober effort to manage their health for longevity within the industry.
Klas Bergling, father of the late Swedish DJ and producer Tim Bergling, known as Avicii, bravely shared his experiences in a moving and intimate interview with BBC Radio 1’s Pete Tong. He shared the ethics and philosophy of the newly created Tim Bergling foundation, once again drawing attention to the importance of recognising and treating the early signs of deteriorating mental health, anxiety and depression for performing artists and those working in the music industry.
Mr Bergling paid tribute to his son and outlined some of the areas that may have contributed to a deterioration of his state of mind, pointing at a punishing schedule, lack of sleep, pressure to perform and alcohol abuse all contributing to depression and anxiety.
Following on from his interview, Klas Bergling participated in an extended MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS DEBATE, joined by world renowned music artist and mental health campaigner Professor Green, esteemed DJ and producer Luciano, ground breaking DJ Sasha and nineteen other electronic music industry professionals and health practitioners. The discussion centred on what the music industry could do to protect the health of all those that work within it and saw The Association for Electronic Music announce the newly created Electronic Music Industry Guide To Mental Health, available to download soon.
In BYE BYE PLASTIC, experts and passionate artists discussed how we can make positive changes evolving our industry for a greener future alongside the reduction of single-use plastics by the introduction of an environmental rider for all artists. It was highlighted that according to ‘The Show Must Go On, An Alarming Report From Festival Thinktank – Powerful Thinking’, UK festivals produce 23,500 tonnes of waste with audiences consuming 10 million plastic bottles per year. Environmental efforts continued outside of the summit room with a beach clean on Playa d’en Bossa, IMS providing delegate bags made from recycled plastic bottles and no single use plastic straws at IMS Dalt Vila.
As a globally focused summit, IMS Ibiza explored the wave of artists, events and clubs from across Eastern Europe who have firmly put the region on the map from Romania to Poland and Ukraine. THEEASTERN BLOC featuring artists Nastia and Alexandra, highlighted how some regions in Eastern Europe are partying more responsibly, giving their events more longevity without the risk of putting people’s lives in danger.
Spotlight was also shone on the individuals and organisations that are helping put one of the most conflicted regions in the world, Palestine, on the map whilst identifying the challenges the region faces.
“When Boiler Room came they (police) took all of their equipment for two weeks just to check through the footage. I have British and Italian friends who can’t come back to the country because they were on the Palestinian side five times. They can ban you for ten years for no reason.”
SAMA’ (Artist, Palestine)
Data-driven streaming and digital strategies were an important cornerstone of 2019 discussions, with STREAMING IN THE DJ BOOTH, THE BIG DATA and THE DATA DEBATE examining the role of streaming solutions for artists and how to use data to your advantage as a fan and artist. As always the summit expanded beyond the core business of music to cover creativity and technique, as illustrated by Grammy-nominated hitmaker Jax Jones (Artist, UK) who broke down his track ‘Breathe’ with Ina Wroldsen, during a captivating and light-hearted Production Masterclass with Point Blank Music School, advising delegates that a hit track not only needs good music but a good story behind it too.
Day three in the summit suite opened with a lively conversation with the most notable figures operating on the island today in THE GREAT ANNUAL IBIZA DEBATE followed by 20 YEARS OF COCOON with the legendary Sven Väth (Artist, Germany) and charismatic keynotes from Charlotte de Witte (Artist, Belgium) and Zane Lowe (Apple Music; Global Creative Director; New Zealand / USA), both in conversation with Pete Tong the intimate discussions covered their respective journeys in the industry and plans for the future.
“I was young and a girl. I had no idea this would be my job. And I didn’t feel secure to share my own identity so picking a male identity ‘Raving George’ made me more comfortable. People coming to my show were quite surprised.” – Charlotte de Witte
Celebrating an icon of our industry, the IMS Legends Award was proudly presented to Café Mambo founder Javier Anadon in the warm company of industry figures and close friends at a gala dinner hosted at beautiful rural hotel Casa Maca.
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