Mumbai, February 2026: The second edition of India International Music Week – IIMW 2026 concluded in Mumbai on February 12th after three days and nights of high impact conversations, international networking, and dynamic live performances, reinforcing India’s growing role in the global music business.
Designed as a conference and showcase festival, IIMW 2026 brought together music industry professionals and artists from 25+ countries, with a clear mission: to position India as a central trade hub for the global music industry.
Conference: Music Trade, Knowledge and Global Exchange
Held at MuSo in Lower Parel, Mumbai, the conference arm – IIMW Pro – focused on international music trade, strategic networking, and forward looking knowledge exchange. It opened with a keynote address by Mr Prithul Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, setting the tone for India’s expanding role in the global creative economy.
The opening panel discussion of the programme was the State of the Union session, offering a grounded overview of the Indian creative industries and music landscape, its growth, infrastructure challenges, export potential, and evolving global relevance. Delegates included festival programmers, agents, record labels, publishers, promoters, brands, rights organisations, and cultural institutions from across the world.
Among the standout sessions were:
- Global Music Mobility (Roundtable)
- Attribution & Royalties for Gen AI Works
- Music Festivals: Building IPs vs Licensing
- Building the Next Crossover Artist
- Emerging Markets Entry Strategies
Other discussions focused on metadata standards, practical pathways for touring, collaboration, artist development, venue infrastructure, and sustainable growth across markets.
Showcase Festival: Emerging Talent on a Global Stage
Following the daytime IIMW Pro conference, the showcase festival took over from 7 pm onwards across multiple venues. The IIMW 2026 showcase featured 17 live performances across two nights at antiSOCIAL and Epitome, transforming Mumbai into a live discovery platform for global and Indian music industry professionals.
The Opening Welcome Evening at Hylo brought together artists, executives, and cultural leaders in an atmosphere that blended conversation with celebration, setting the tone for the week ahead.
Following the success of the event, Sushil Chhugani, Director, India International Music Week, said:
“What made IIMW 2026 special was the flow from conversation to performance. By day, we focused on trade, mobility, infrastructure, and real pathways for collaboration. By night, the artists did the talking. Hosting this in Mumbai, the commercial and creative capital of India, made that balance even more powerful. It’s exactly what defines IIMW.”
Rafael Pereira, Director, India International Music Week, added:
“IIMW 2026 had a significant impact with strategic deals being signed, announcements of key collaborations, and inter-governmental as well as intra-governmental dialogues being initiated. Talent spotting went beyond artist bookings to executive hiring in this edition. We are looking forward to measuring the progress of these conversations that will lead to even bigger announcements in the next edition of IIMW.”
Across multiple venues, IIMW 2026 offered not just performances, but a curated window into Mumbai’s music business, culture and creative energy.
A Growing Global Platform
Following its launch edition in Goa in 2025, IIMW 2026 marked a significant step forward in scale, participation, and impact. With representation from over 25 countries and participation from leading global and Indian music organisations, the event demonstrated that India is not just a fast-growing market – it is emerging as a meeting point for global music trade.
About IIMW:
India International Music Week (IIMW) – a pioneering initiative by India Music Exchange is a global gathering of artists, tastemakers, and industry leaders focused on sparking collaboration, creating trade opportunities, and accelerating multilateral cultural exports. A format true to its mission statement – Global Music Mobility – IIMW is committed to a bold, forward-thinking spirit, shaping how the world engages with Indian music and how Indian music reaches the world.
Website: https://iimw.in/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iimw.in/?hl=en
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