
In 2027, ILMC sets off on its most challenging edition yet: to race around the live music world in just 80 hours. From 23-26 February, over 1,700 of the industry’s leading pioneers and trailblazers will gather in London for the start of an unforgettable race as the touring party crosses borders and seeks out new markets, routes and opportunities.
Competitors from 80 countries will make their way to ILMC’s own Reform Club – The Royal Lancaster Hotel – from where the most spectacular journey will begin. So polish your compass and pack your trunk, because ILMC 39 is going to be the most global edition yet. But with tickets for the journey strictly limited, for Fogg’s sake, don’t leave it too late to sign up!
Now in its 39th year, ILMC is the international live music industry’s largest and most respected conference. And with the world of live entertainment under one roof, every conversation leads somewhere…
With over 1,700 professionals attending from 80 markets, you’ll depart with your passport stamped and full of new contacts. From speed meetings and socials, to dedicated networking and private meeting space, ILMC is all about connections.
In between conference sessions and five-star lunches, you can relax with a back massage, take a brisk morning jog around Hyde Park, or get noticed by fellow travellers at the karaoke.
In 2027, panel sessions move to the lower ground Westbourne Suite and a brand-new central meeting point – ILMC Central – opens up on the ground floor. It’s a new focal point for the whole event with more meeting space than ever.
ILMC 39 will stop off at various live music destinations around the world with two dedicated tracks for 2027: Latam Live and Asia Live. Each programme features two dedicated panels, a hosted lunch, speed meetings, and curated networking with professionals from the region.
New for 2027, voyagers can book their own private meeting spaces and cabins during ILMC, allowing for privacy and quiet away from the hubbub of the main areas. Bookable by the hour, or by the half day, get in touch for details.
In recognising how many of our members want to fly home for the weekend, Friday at ILMC has a new look with a full morning of specialist sessions before a relaxed and informal ‘Departure Lounge’ farewell brunch that completes our journey.
The Arthur Awards is relocating to a brand-new luxurious destination in 2027, the Hilton Park Lane, where we expect to welcome over 600 of live entertainment’s biggest names to a glamorous evening of five-star food and wines, and a major industry celebration.
Anna-Sophie Mertens is one of the top female promoters in the UK. Her career at Live Nation started over a decade ago, during this time Mertens has been instrumental in bringing new and exciting talent to the forefront of the UK live music industry, as well as continuing the development of international superstars.
Her roster includes:
Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson, Tyler Childers, Riley Green, Thomas Rhett, Bailey Zimmerman, Stephen Wilson Jr., Brothers Osborne, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Ariana Grande, John Mayer, Greta van Fleet, Tate McRae, Holly Humberstone, Myles Smith, and Gracie Abrams.
In 2023, she established the first-ever Country & Americana Festival – Highways – at the world-renowned and iconic Royal Albert Hall in London. The inaugural event featured Kip Moore, Morgan Wade, Jackson Dean’s UK debut and Stephen Wilson Jr. whilst also hosting additional events such as Highways Songwriters Round, Country for Kids, Late Night Special, Official Aftershow Party with Media Partners Absolute Radio Country, and a month-long exhibition of The Nashville Portraits by Jim McGuire.
Intimate yet grand, Highways is an unforgettable occasion for Country and Americana fans and artists alike and is set to return to the iconic venue annually.
Mertens joined the Country Music Association’s UK taskforce in early 2018, championing awareness for the genre outside of North America. In 2019, she brought the CMT Next Women of Country Tour to the UK for its first edition. She continues to champion awareness and support for the genre whilst spearheading the movement to bring Country music into the mainstream.
Her hard work, knowledge, and dedication have seen her progress to VP Touring U.K. within two years, making her one of the youngest VPs of the division and a respected figure within the industry. As recognition of this, she was awarded the Live Music Inspiration Award at the 2025 Women in Music Week Awards.
Further accolades include: 2018 winner of the Tomorrow’s New Boss and nominated in 2024 for the Promoter Award at ILMC’s Arthur Awards, featured on Billboard’s 2019 International Power Players List and on 2025 Pollstar Impact International: UK/Euro Honorees list.
In 2020, Mertens joined the board of directors of the Country Music Association and has been proudly serving on their UK task force since 2018. In 2024, she won the CMA’s The Rob Potts Live Music Advancement Award, recognising her hard work and contributions advancing country music internationally. In 2025, she was nominated for Promoter of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.
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