Global Music Industry Leaders Converge as Asia Music Event Reveals Full 2026 Lineup and Programme

INDONIGHTSPOT – Asia Music Event (AME) has officially unveiled its complete speaker lineup and conference programme for its inaugural edition, taking place at Soho House Hong Kong on November 26–27, 2026. Featuring 100+ speakers across 30+ programme sessions, the two-day event will bring together influential figures from across the global electronic music ecosystem through a dynamic programme of panel discussions, fireside chats, workshops, masterclasses and live radio sessions. The full programme is now available to explore, with tickets on sale via the official Asia Music Event website.

For its very first edition, AME has assembled an exceptional lineup spanning generations and continents. Among them are Allan Zeman, widely known as the “Father of Lan Kwai Fong,” and Andrew Bull, a pioneering figure in Hong Kong’s DJ and nightlife culture, alongside Meindert Kennis, former CEO of Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE); Gary Smith, an ADE programming veteran of nearly three decades; and Jim Wong, Managing Director of Live Nation Electronic Asia.

The newly announced final wave adds further international weight, featuring Kathleen O’Malley, International Director at Ultra Records | Sony Music Entertainment; Michael Mayer, DJ and producer at Kompakt; Michelle Verhoef, Managing Director of Verknipt; Mer Hajbarati, Co-Owner of Verknipt; Yuuki Yoshiyama, Executive Producer of GMO SONIC; Mick Wilson, Tech Editor at DJ Mag; Michail Stangl, Curator at CTM Festival and former Lead Programmer at Boiler Room; Oscar Sciver, Head of A&R at Warner Music Asia; Rico Xia, CEO of INS LAND; and Jay Pidgeon, CEO of Purple Wall.

From major labels, global agencies and festival powerhouses to underground clubs, independent promoters and local music communities, the breadth of the lineup reflects a growing conviction across the industry: Asia is no longer simply a destination on the global electronic music circuit. It is becoming one of the industry’s most important markets to watch.

Inside AME: The Conversations Shaping Asia’s Next Chapter

AME’s full conference programme brings together headline conversations, regional market insights and practical industry knowledge, offering delegates direct access to some of the people shaping electronic music’s business and culture.

Among the standout sessions, Where Does Asia Stand, and What Will It Take to Lead? will see Bloomberg’s Tiffany Ap in conversation with Jim Wong, Managing Director of Live Nation Electronic Asia, examining what it will take for Asia to move beyond being a major touring destination and become a driving force in the global music industry.

In Beyond the Showcase: Making Cross Cultural Collaboration Work, Gary Smith, a veteran of nearly three decades at Amsterdam Dance Event, will lead a conversation featuring former ADE CEO Meindert Kennis on how international music businesses, artists and cultural platforms can build meaningful partnerships across markets.

Meanwhile, Staying Independent in a Consolidating Market brings together festival leaders from Australia’s Untitled Group, Mongolia’s Playtime Festival and Hong Kong’s Kolour Entertainment to explore how independent operators can retain their identity and thrive as the global live music industry evolves.

Beyond music and live entertainment, AME will also spotlight the growing role of technology in shaping the industry’s future, from digital innovation and audience engagement to the evolution of ticketing. A dedicated session featuring the Co-founder of PLVR will explore how ticketing, payments and audience data are reshaping the live experience, while looking at how entertainment infrastructure is evolving across Asia.

From the future of China’s electronic music market to the business of nightlife, underground communities, artist development and emerging technologies, AME’s programme spans the commercial and cultural sides of the industry. Perspectives from Wonderfruit, DWP, GMO SONIC, Verknipt, Kompakt, OIL Club, Keep Hush and more offer a broad view of the opportunities and challenges shaping electronic music across Asia and beyond.

Beyond the main stage, AME will host hands-on workshops, masterclasses and live radio across both days. Highlights include Seoul Community Radio’s pop-up podcast studio, an Arturia workshop with Adriana Roma, the NewVintage Masterclass with Minho Tokuhara, presented by Psycho Acoustic Lab x Casual Space, featuring a showcase of vintage DJ gear, and a Zero Gravity masterclass on AI in music production with Jens Verschaeve and Christopher De Spiegeleire.

AME isn’t simply bringing the global music industry to Asia. It’s creating a space for knowledge to be shared, experience to be passed on, and new ideas to move across markets. For AME, education, exchange and access to practical industry knowledge are essential to how the region grows together.

Conference by Day. Culture by Night.

Beyond the conference floor, AME is creating opportunities for meaningful connections through a series of curated networking experiences, including a Speaker & Media Mixer, exclusive speaker dining experiences, and dedicated gatherings designed to bring industry leaders, artists, media and creative communities together.

Extending into the city, AME is also working with a network of local partners, venues and promoters to host satellite events before, during and after the conference. With support from partners including AOAO, Cassio Social Club, ANC by INS LAND at Ho Lang Jeng , Space Club, Upper Hong Kong, Magic Room, Fayy, Mushroom, 0159 Group, and more, these activations will connect international delegates with local music scenes, creating opportunities for cultural exchange and collaboration beyond the conference itself.

Together, these experiences reflect AME’s ambition to build more than a two-day industry gathering, to create a connected ecosystem where business meets culture, relationships grow beyond the stage, and the community has the opportunity to connect, collaborate and thrive.

The programme will culminate in an Official Closing Party, presented in collaboration with Hong Kong promoter 0159 Group, featuring international techno artists Joyhauser and Juliet Fox alongside the winner of the AME x Tomorrowland Academy DJ Contest, giving emerging talent the opportunity to perform alongside established international artists.

For its first edition, AME brings together those who have helped shape electronic music’s past and present with the people building its future. From international industry institutions to independent cultural communities, the gathering reflects the growing attention being paid to Asia’s music markets and the opportunities for meaningful collaboration across the region.

The next chapter of electronic music is taking shape in Asia. This November, the conversation comes to Hong Kong.