If you weren’t at IMS Ibiza 2025, you missed out. Every year, IMS continues to be the heart and soul of the global electronic music scene, where the industry’s biggest players—artists, promoters, tech innovators and more—converge to discuss what’s next. This year’s IMS Business Report 2025, unveiled live once again at IMS Ibiza, offers the ultimate inside scoop on the state of the electronic music world. With the scene booming and evolving rapidly, this report lays it all out: the numbers, the trends, and the insights that shape our future.
Presented by Mark Mulligan of MIDiA Research, this year’s report is packed with key revelations. From the growing dominance of electronic music in the Global South to the rising popularity of New Generation of Fans and Creators, this report shows every year how fast the electronic music world is moving. Here are 5 key takeaways from the IMS Business Report 2025 and IMS Ibiza 2025 that you need to know:
Social Media Over Real Talent
The findings from the recent Pete Tong DJ Academy survey at IMS Ibiza mirror a key trend highlighted in the IMS Business Report—social media has become a powerful force in the success of new artists. 61% of emerging DJs and producers believe that social media numbers now matter more than being a good artist. The era where your skills on the decks mattered most is officially over. Now, it’s all about who can go viral on TikTok. This trend is directly influencing how electronic music is marketed and consumed, where social media presence and viral trends drive new artists’ success rather than just musical talent alone. Welcome to the age of digital fame.
Electronic Music’s Strong Economic Growth
Despite a slowdown in growth from streaming, electronic music is still one of the fastest-growing sectors within the music industry. The global electronic music market expanded by 6% in 2024, reaching $12.9 billion, proving its resilience despite a maturing industry. Festivals and clubs remain the largest revenue drivers, but the rising influence of publishing and hardware/software sales demonstrates that the sector is diversifying and thriving in new ways. Moreover, Ibiza club ticketing revenue reached 150 million euros in 2024, up 6% from 2023. This quantity reflects ticketing only and does not include VIP, so the total value created for the local economy was even higher. Despite this, the employees in the industry still tend to be multi-employed.
The Role Of Intergenerational Exchange: Passion Over Profit
At IMS Ibiza 2025, the theme of Intergenerational Exchange took center stage, creating a bridge between the past, present, and future of electronic music. The elrow x Live Nation session was just one of the many pannels showcasing how the rich wisdom of experienced pioneers can seamlessly merge with the bold, disruptive ideas of today’s creators.It’s clear that while money and technology continue to drive the industry toward more capitalist and market-driven approaches, the heart of electronic music lies in its passion and love for the music. Whether it’s through community-building or reimagining the live experience, the essence of electronic music has never been in the numbers.
The Rise of the New Generation of Fans and Creators
The younger generation of fans and creators is reshaping electronic music culture by reimagining old patterns and creating new ways of making music. As more fans and artists continue to forge their own identities, the boundaries between creator and fan continue to blur, with new technologies like AI tools making music creation and social media reach more accessible. This democratization is opening the door for fresh sounds and scenes, pushing the industry into a new phase of growth and innovation.
The Global South’s Rising Influence
The Global South is becoming a powerhouse in the industry. This demographic shift is not just about the user growth—it is also about the rise of vibrant, localised music scenes that will increasingly export their sounds to the West. Genres like Afrobeat, Amapiano, and Afro House have seen massive rise, reflecting the cultural impact these regions are beginning to have on the global electronic music landscape.
The global electronic scene grows and evolves, and XCEED is always here to keep you on the loop of what’s happening!