THE eagerly awaited countdown to IMX’s vision of the future of the music industry saw history in the making. On Feb 4, 2025 the spotlight was on the debut of India International Music Week —IIMW 2025, an initiative of IMX (India Music Exchange). It’s a pioneering platform, a first for India and South Asia, it welcomed the world of the music industry. Delegates from 30 plus countries as domain specialists, they convened to lead a significant start for a global exchange of music, trade and knowledge. IIMX 2025 is supported by Incredible India and Goa Tourism.

IIMW East Meets the World
THE who’s who of the music spectrum participated in the first of its kind International convention-cum-showcase. The IIMW’25 was thrown open to a natural light phenomenon against the serenity of the sun-kissed sea.
The curtain raiser featured live soulful performances by R&B Blues Queen Tipriti Kharbangar from the North East’s vibrant music culture. This was followed by a soulful homage to the late Ustad Zakir Hussain by Global Electronica legend and tabla maestro Talvin Singh. Local darlings Roz Angon belted their sound and arrangements of Goa’s nightingale Lorna’s eternal top of the charts. The inauguration was a sundowner moment at the picturesque music venue Rockpool, Goa at Westin Goa resort at Anjuna beach.
The concert paves the way for the music industry in India to take off and welcome the world of music on her shores.

Glocal Presence at IIMW Debut
THINK Local and Grow Glocal is the mantra that IIMW’25 has envisioned for all music stakeholders. The keynote addresses on February 5 were led by government dignitaries. The eloquent Mugdha Sinha of the Ministry of Tourism emphasized the growing role of music in boosting India’s economy and tourism industry. Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte reaffirmed the Goa government’s commitment to revitalizing the state as a premier destination for music tourism and a home for creative professionals and enterprises.
This ushered in the first-panel interaction on “The Time is Now” among an exhaustive list of relevant conversations ranging from publishing, royalties and emerging vistas to festivals. IIMW seeks to empower the evolving domain with exposure to the trends and leverage on par with the world. Importantly, it provides a connection to the international exchange for emerging talent with exceptional networking. It provides opportunities to meet innovation, technology, media, and enables music makers to take their talent and enterprise to the global arena. The festival is an all-encompassing celebration of music genres, innovation and culture. IIMW 2025 celebrates music’s power to connect and inspire.

The Sounds of the World
THE showcase list was an equal representation of global and Indian artistes, top notch performances by Austrian-based Kimyan Law, highlighted the country of his origin, the Congo. This Congolese-Austrian musician merges African instruments with electronic music, crafting intricate, organic soundscapes inspired by his cultural roots.

The Future of Music is here
IT doesn’t get better than this. To name a few, Mother’s Cake was a powerhouse of psychedelic energy where chaos met musical rage, blurred the lines between band and crowd. Rosa Cecilia, hailing from West London with Chilean roots, created a melting pot of jazz and R&B influences with lyrics that tackled themes of love as well as socio-political. Goa-born and France-based, Hip-Hop/Rap Tracy de Sa, blended Bronx rap roots with eclectic global influences, crafting compelling stories of change and self-discovery.
In conclusion this music festival was an all-encompassing “glo-cal” celebration of music genres, innovation and culture. Above all IIMW 2025 celebrates music’s power to connect and inspire.
IIMW is envisioned by IMX which is an industry-led organization brought together by key stakeholders of the music industry. It is envisaged as a celebration of the music as an integral journey. It is committed to encouraging and facilitating international connections to shape how the world interacts with the Indian music, while defining the position of national artistes and music in the sub-continent.
The idea is seek regeneration and sustainability for the music industry in India, to work towards the need for a single window clearance for music concerts and presentations – something which was stressed upon by various dignitaries in their inaugural keynote address. This will enable music professionals to focus on their strengths and makes it possible for the economy as a whole to benefit from diverse synergies. The journey has begun with IIMW 2025 but there’s a need for more empowerment through support, encouragement which values the vision of creating a framework, a simple grid, to handhold a growing music industry.

Making It Happen
MUSIC is serious business. A day before the inaugural session of IIMW 2025; the gurus of all dimensions of music from Amsterdam, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Ireland, and the UK among the 30+ participating countries, converged for a deep dive into golden Goa. The essential recharge done right before the intense and immersive conference was the ritual of soaking in sunshine filled skies and sipping sunsets by the sea, ablaze with ochre hues. Altogether rejuvenating reflections.
What touched the most was the carefully curated walk through Fountainhas by the Make It Happen people, a walking tour by some of the best storytellers in Goa. They took us through the winding streets of the Latin Quarter. We began at the Panjim PO (which till recently shared the same pincode as the Antarctica scientists) gleaning nuggets of the history, architecture, culture, and lifestyle. We walked the winding narrow streets with a stop at 31st Rue de Janeiro for Goan sweets. The finale was visiting a heritage Goan home where we were treated to kokum beverages and songs on the ukulele. Just the shot in the arm needed for the three-day conference and showcase.
Delegates are now friends like family and I am going to miss their warmth. It’s a classic interaction of taking your work and not yourself seriously. Much love to you all as you spread your sunshine through the world of music.

Abhi Moments
IT WAS heart-warming to meet Abhishek Singh at IIMW 2025. The soft-spoken artiste who sketches the divine feminine form and nature in all her finery. He is known to motivate millions of his followers with his words. The gentle being and I caught up with much to make life feel good.