AVA London has unveiled its final 2026 programme, returning from 24 to 26 September with three days and nights of keynotes, industry forums, workshops, performances and high level networking. Now in its ninth year, the event is framed as Beyond Boundaries, with a new industry strand looking at the future of the music business, publishing, licensing, gaming, nightlife, brand partnerships and global creativity.
The latest names sit alongside an already heavy creative line-up, with Moby, Oklou, The Avalanches, teamLab, No Tags, FLOHIO, Footsie, Jamz Supernova, Shy One, Tim & Barry, ELKKA, Fabio & Grooverider, Sama’ Abdulhadi and Elijah among those involved. Two conference days will run at the British Library, bringing artists and emerging creatives together with labels, management, publishing, festivals, venues, technology, media and cultural organisations, before nights continue at The Cross, Round Chapel, Outernet and EartH.
The Game Changers leads the industry programme, putting Mary Bekhait, CEO of YMU, Anya Du Sauzay, Marketing Director and Head of Label Operations at Atlantic Records UK, Sam Spencer, Director of Live Operations at Broadwick Live, and Finn Sohn, Chief Business Officer at DooRooDooRoo Artist Company, in conversation. The session will look at where influence and leverage sit now, how businesses are adapting, and what the next phase of growth looks like.
AFEM returns with three sessions on leadership, skills and the future of electronic music. Building the Next Generation of Promoters brings together David Zhou of Eastern Margins, Remco Schuurbiers of CTM Festival, Samantha Togni of Boudica and Steven Braines of He.She.They. MusicFutures presents The Future of Music Licensing in a Gaming World, with Vicky Taylor of Truelove Music Publishing, Sergio Pimental of Synchronicity Music, composer Richard Jacques and George Rose of PRS for Music, hosted by Sabine Jacques. Meet The Experts will set up curated one to one B2B meetings, while three application only Industry Forums on clubs, festivals and artist and music management will run with partners including b, ChariTea Mate and VELO.
ChariTea Mate will host a discussion on the UK nightlife economy, chaired by Ed Gillett, with Nadine Noor, Lenny Watson and further speakers to be announced. Nothing joins with What Does Music Need Now? Industry, Influence & Investment, with speakers still to come, and PRS for Music will present The Business of Publishing. Further sessions include The Art of Brand Partnerships, The Music Supply Chain presented by AVA and b:electronic, Taking TELETECH Global: Touring & Visual Identity presented by Visual Spectrum, and a Production Masterclass with Roundhouse.
New creative additions include an in conversation with Palestinian DJ, producer and cultural activist Sama’ Abdulhadi, one of the most prominent Palestinian artists to break internationally, and a Grant Funding Workshop led by London artist, writer and Butterz co-founder Elijah. Confirmed industry speakers and delegates also include Florian Körner of Lemonaid and ChariTea, Takashi Kudo of teamLab, Aly Gillani of Bandcamp, Jenna Jones of Ableton, Robson Carter-Browne of Time Out London, Nathan Adewole of Beatport and Sam Fussell of Domino, with international attendees expected from organisations including the British Council, AlphaTheta, Jägermeister / SAVE THE NIGHT, SheSaidSo and Resident Advisor.
AVA Pro Networking Mixers will run alongside the public conference, with delegates able to connect in advance through the AVA conference app. A Pro Pass includes full conference access, entry to the London showcases on a first come, first served basis, exclusive networking events, app access and a tote bag. Pro Pass Day & Night tickets are on sale from £200, with daytime only passes from £150 and Thursday or Friday conference day passes from £85. Limited press and media spots remain available.
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