The Agenda is Live

The provisional conference agenda for ILMC 38 is now live! From global deals, AI, and free speech to country, K-pop, and new markets, the 2026 agenda is bigger and broader than ever.

To see the full agenda, click here, or read on for some highlights of live music’s top gathering…

WEDNESDAY

The conference kicks off proper with The Open Forum: Tracks & fields – our annual state-of-the-industry session – featuring a stellar panel that will cover the biggest challenges facing the live industry in 2026.

Key sessions include Freedom of Speech: Live music in the centre of the storm, focusing on the political controversies that festivals experienced in 2025; Ticketing: Rewriting the rule book will look at what’s next for the fastest-evolving element of the industry; whilst Alternative Markets: The roads less travelled explores new opportunities in touring B markets. Wednesday will also feature three Asia Live sessions, where for the first time, ILMC will shine the spotlight on this most dynamic of regions.

Wednesday’s programme also sees the return of Touring Entertainment LIVE, ILMC’s family entertainment-focussed one-dayer. 2026’s edition includes Who Wants to be a Billionaire? in which we look at maximising revenue from VIP, merch, and more; and Deal Or No Deal: Touring trends, which looks at the trends shaping touring entertainment in 2026.

To see the full ILMC agenda, click here.

To see the full Touring Entertainment LIVE agenda, click here.

THURSDAY

Thursday kicks off with The Venue’s Venue: Stadiums & arenas, in which we focus on the very top end of the venue business. A new venue session will then look at the challenges facing mid-sized venues in Stuck in the Middle With You: The state of mid-sized venues.

The Globalisation of Live Music promises to be one of the key sessions of ILMC 38, focusing on the shifting dynamics of global touring; and Artist Focus Group: How to live the dream in 2026 will see artists delineate their various experiences within the live music industry.

Thursday also sees the second edition of Middle East Live, with three sessions and a special networking lunch focusing on one of the fastest-growing markets in the world.

To see the full ILMC agenda, click here.

FRIDAY

The final day of ILMC sees Futures Forum bring in an influx of early-stage professionals to join ILMC delegates and close out the week.

Meet the New Bosses: Class of 2026 is a Friday stalwart, in which four emerging execs reflect on their journey so far; while Fan Data: Know your audience brings together leading advocates for artist-owned data.

Now That’s What I Call 2026 creates the essential compilation of artists set to break in 2026; and Everything But Politics explores the options available to artists – and the role their teams play – in helping them make decisions that align with both their ethics and long-term development.

To see the full Futures Forum agenda, click here.

Additional sessions will be announced in the coming weeks, so keep your eye on the ball in our forthcoming newsletters and at arthurawards.com.

Register now to avoid the last-minute scrimmage to buy tickets.