Going Global

Elevating New Zealand Music to the World Stage

Auckland NZ - August 27-28 2026

FULL WEBSITE PLEASE CLICK THROUGH HERE

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND -  

Going Global Music Summit returns to Tāmaki Makaurau this August with a speaker lineup of genuine international weight. Presented by Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ) in partnership with the New Zealand Music Commission, the 2026 summit takes place on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 August at Q Theatre, and includes a programme of international representatives, panels, and artist showcases.

For two days, Going Global brings together some of the world's most influential figures in A&R, booking, festival programming, label management, and artist development, and places them in the same room as Aotearoa's artists and industry. Doors open in both directions.

Since launching in 2011, Going Global has welcomed over 260 international delegates from the music industries of Asia, Europe, and North America, and provided a platform for 238 showcasing artists, alongside line-ups from several annual editions of The Other’s Way Festival Aotearoa to perform directly in front of decision-makers from major festivals, labels, agencies and media outlets.

International delegates consistently cite the showcase as an invaluable way to discover artists they may not otherwise encounter. Following her attendance at Going Global 2025, Hayley Percy, Head of Music at RISING (Australia), said:
"Very real and outcome-driven pathways were forged... I have a very long list of new acts I look forward to staying in touch with for future bookings."
HAYLEY PERCY, HEAD OF MUSIC AT RISING (AUSTRALIA)

Going Global 2026 continues that commitment, connecting showcasing artists with Aotearoa's wider independent music community;  managers, labels, promoters, publishers and songwriters building careers in international markets.

2026 SPEAKERS - THIRD ANNOUNCEMENT

Adam Lewis
Founder/Owner, Planetary Group (USA)
Adam Lewis is founder and head of Los Angeles-based Planetary Group, an artist development firm helping emerging artists reach audiences across North America through radio, PR and social media. His recent clients include Chappell Roan, Arlo Parks, Yard Act, Soccer Mommy, The Last Dinner Party, Cate Le Bon, The Chats and Nick Cave. Previously, Lewis worked at TVT Records and has managed artists, tour managed international tours and booked hundreds of live shows.

Ashley Gay
Xelon Digital (AUST)
Ashley Gay is a veteran record executive who has played a key role in the growth of Australia’s electronic music scene. Beginning his career in the 1990s as a radio DJ and music director, he later held A&R roles at Pro-DJ and Central Station Records. In 2007, he founded Xelon Digital, combining his music industry and technology expertise. Today, Xelon is a 100% Australian-owned independent distributor representing hundreds of labels and artists across multiple genres and international markets.

Broghan Blackshaw
Lead Composer / Songwriter, PikPok (NZ)
Broghan Blackshaw is a sound designer, composer and songwriter with more than a decade of experience across music, documentary and video games. Lead Composer and Songwriter at PikPok, she specialises in songwriting, vocal composition, arranging and creating bespoke music and sound for games. She holds a postgraduate degree in music performance from Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music and is best known for writing theme music and contributing sound and music to PikPok’s Into the Dead franchise.

Christina Austin
Booking Agent, Cobra Agency (UK/Austria)
Christina Austin is a Booking Agent at Cobra Agency, having joined Cobra earlier this year after eight years at UTA, rising from Assistant in 2017 to Agent in May 2022. Represents a diverse roster including Sleep Theory, Alina Pash, Ocean Sleeper, Iniko and Normandie. Began her career across London music venues, including Brooklyn Bowl London, promoting artists such as The Bronx and Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes.

Dan Nascimento
General Manager, Community Music / UNIFIED (AUST)
Dan Nascimento is part of UNIFIED Music Group, a global independent music company. He manages the careers of Ocean Alley and Jack Botts, as well as being General Manager of Community Music, which is a distribution and artist services alternative that exists to enhance independence. Dan also sits on the AIR Board to represent the best interests of independent artists & labels.

Jamie Raeburn
Sweat It Out Music / Central Station Records (AUST)
Raeburn is Owner/Director of Central Station Records, Sweat It Out Music & Xelon Distribution. Since joining Central Station's A&R department in 1998 and rising to MD by 2002, he has developed and signed artists including RÜFÜS DU SOL, Dom Dolla, What So Not, Tiësto and Armin van Buuren, alongside building the label's Wild FM & SkitzMix series and local talent like Odd Mob and Starley.

Jannah Beth
Founder/Director, Offbeat Collective (AUST)
Jannah Beth is an artist, creative director and the co-founder of Offbeat Collective, an artist-led music company building practical pathways for emerging artists through artist development, releases, mentorship and creative community. She is also the co-founder of ONE OFF TRAKS, a flagship annual songwriting and production program supporting women, trans, non-binary and gender-diverse music makers across Australia and Aotearoa. Jannah has helped grow the program into an international platform, including a curated showcase at SXSW London and its first Aotearoa camp.

Jayde Marter
Audio Director, PikPok (NZ)
Jayde Marter is the Audio Director at PikPok, a composer, sound designer, and music producer. He has worked in the music industry for 25 years and in game audio for 14 years, helping shape PikPok’s audio signature across more than 30 game releases. His work spans composition, songwriting, production, sound design, and implementation. Outside of games, Jayde is the CEO and Co-Founder of Burn My Records, where he works alongside artists to develop music, creative partnerships, and pathways through the industry.

Lucas Canzona
Founder, Fairwin Ent (Canada/USA)
Lucas is a Canadian artist manager based in LA, and his company Fairwin specializes in cross-border development from the USA to other countries. Most recently, they hit the #1 song target in China with client JORDANN. Other clients have been featured on Ellen, Good Morning America, Vogue, Rolling Stone, Lollapalooza,  Bonnaroo, and by Ryan Reynolds, Paris Hilton, Madonna, Elton John, and have been listened to over a billion streams.

Marie Robinson - The Great Escape (UK)

Maria Amato
CEO, AIR (AUST)
Maria Amato is the CEO of AIR and WIN Executive Board member and Treasurer. Amato has worked in the arts and not-for-profit sector for over 30 years, specialising in finance management and leadership. Elected as the first female and first person from the Southern hemisphere to chair the board of WIN as part of its annual rotation in Feb 2022, Amato was then elected as treasurer in Feb 2023 and continues to serve as a member of WIN’s executive committee. Maria has held former non-executive director positions for the Adelaide UNESCO City Of Music, the Australian Institute of Music and Music Victoria.

Mick Tarbuk
Country Manager, Believe (AUST)
Mick Tarbuk is the Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand at Believe, one of the world’s leading digital music and artist services companies. Since launching Believe’s ANZ operations in late 2015, Mick has spearheaded the company’s regional growth, empowering independent artists and labels to maximize their digital reach while retaining creative ownership.

Paul Harris
Co-founder, No Numbers (AUST)
No Numbers and an A&R consultant to Warner Music across Australia, New Zealand and Asia. He began his career at B-Unique Records in London, where he signed Kaiser Chiefs, before A&R roles at Sony Music and Warner Music Australia working with Gang Of Youths, Tash Sultana and Amy Shark, as well as New Zealand artists Balu Brigada, Harper Finnand SACHI.

Qisthina Razin
Head of Projects, RK Live Asia / Account Director, Tong Tong (Malaysia)
With over a decade of experience in Southeast Asia's music and live entertainment industry, Qisthina works across artist bookings, music programming, festival production, and marketing. She currently wears two hats: as Account Director at TongTong Asia, leading brand partnerships, concert promotion, PR, and marketing for international artists and music campaigns; and as Head of Projects at RK Live Asia, overseeing bookings and strategy for non-electronic touring artists across the region. Passionate about connecting artists with new audiences, she is committed to growing Southeast Asia's live music ecosystem through meaningful collaborations and cultural exchange.
Qisthina travels courtesy of Asia New Zealand Foundation.

Rafael Pereira
Managing Partner, Tinnuts (INDIA) / Executive Trustee, India Music Exchange (IIMW producers)
Rafael Pereira is Executive Trustee of the India Music Exchange, India’s only multilateral music trade and investment office, where he organises the India International Music Week, facilitating dialogue, trade, and collaboration between Indian and international music industries. Rafael is also Managing Partner of TINNUTS, a full-service law firm, where he advises and represents leading creators, artists, producers, publishers, labels, studios, agencies, funds, and entrepreneurs across the global creative economy. His expertise includes international trade, public policy, intellectual property, development financing, and sustainable impact investing.
Rafeael travels courtesy of Asia New Zealand Foundation.

Romy Harber
Global Head of Editorial, Marketing and Partnerships at B-Electronic / BELIEVE (UK)
Leads global growth strategy for labels, artists and campaigns across b:electronic, building long-term value and commercial impact at every stage of an artist's career. Has built and led high-performing teams across multiple markets, and developed Believe's Rock & Metal and Classical & Jazz specialist teams globally, growing a world-class roster of artists and labels.

Tom Brain
Promoter, JOY Concerts (UK)
Tom Brain is a music promoter based in Brighton, England. He joined JOY. In April 2025, where he works on headline shows across the UK as well as booking artists for Preston Park, On The Beach Festival and the Hove Park series.

2026 SPEAKERS - SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT

David Melik Telfer
Owner/Managing Attorney, DMT Law Firm (USA)
Based in Los Angeles, DMT Law is one of the premier music immigration boutiques in the US, filing hundreds of O-1B and O-2 petitions annually for artists, crew, management, and others.  Collaborating closely with most of the major agencies and a diverse array of management companies from across the globe, DMT Law Firm brings a unique approach that is tailored to the needs and challenges specific to the music industry, streamlining the process and eliminating much of the client’s normal visa workload for quick and cost-effective immigration outcomes. David has also spearheaded over a dozen federal lawsuits against USCIS (US Immigration Services), serving not only the immediate interests of his clients and other law firms, but also contributing to the broader immigration discourse, prompting meaningful change, and generating advancements in immigration law. 

Dev Sherlock
Director, SXSW Music (USA)
Dev Sherlock is the Director of SXSW Music Festival. As part of his role, he is responsible for artists and showcase presenters from the EU, UK, and Australia/New Zealand. Recognised as the world’s premier music showcasing event, SXSW brings together the global music community, alongside the film and tech industries, for a week of networking and live showcases in Austin, Texas, featuring more than 1,000 artists from 60+ countries. Dev’s background also includes music journalism, film supervision and broadcasting.

Jordan Acker
A&R, GYRO.Group (AUST)
Jordan is an A&R at GYRO.Group, one of Australia's leading independent distributors, where he is passionate about bolstering the Australian music scene by championing rising local artists and supporting them through the digital streaming ecosystem with tailored A&R guidance and release strategies. 

A Melbourne-based music industry professional with a background in artist development and independent music distribution, Jordan holds a Bachelor of Applied Business (Entertainment) from Collarts, Melbourne. He is also the founder of Ivy Music Group, a boutique artist management company focused on long-term development and sustainable career growth. He works across a diverse roster, including Holly Hebe, Squid the Kid, Sammi Heaney, and Lucy Sugerman, helping these artists and many more navigate the evolving music landscape with clarity, creativity, and strategy. Driven by an artist-first mindset, Jordan is committed to creating opportunities that connect talent with the right pathways, both locally and globally.

Lucy Atkinson
Booking Agent, ROAM Artists (UK)
Lucy Atkinson is a booking agent at ROAM, representing a broad roster of established and emerging artists across electronic, alternative and contemporary live music. She began her career as a touring vocalist before moving into artist representation, joining a boutique booking agency as an assistant and progressing through the business to become an agent in her own right. After nine years at Earth Agency, Lucy joined ROAM in January 2025 to establish and lead the agency's electronic music division.
Her roster includes a range of internationally recognised artists such as Sega Bodega, Erika de Casier, Alice Glass, MØ, Saint Ludo, sim0ne, FDC DJs (Fontaines D.C.) and Ecco2k. Alongside her live music work, Lucy has developed partnerships between artists and leading fashion and lifestyle brands. Recent projects include Ecco2k's campaign with Marc Jacobs Eyewear, Erika de Casier's collaboration with Hermès, Pxssy Palace's partnership with H&M, and a campaign bringing together sim0ne, ASOS and Mixmag.
Drawing on experience across both touring and artist representation, Lucy works closely with artists to build sustainable careers, develop international opportunities and connect them with partners that solidify cultural impact.

Niriko McLure
Co-Programmer, BIGSOUND /  Third Person Management (AUST)
Niriko McLure loves bringing people together who care deeply about telling stories. Across artist management, cultural programming and music strategy, she helps music and art find their audiences. Niriko is the founder of Third Person Management, representing artists EGOISM and Haley Holgate, and co-curates the BIGSOUND conference.
Previously General Manager of Wonder Music Co., Niriko worked with artists including Matt Corby and 5 Seconds of Summer, leading global touring, release campaigns and commercial partnerships that contributed to #1 albums in Australia, the UK and the US. She also served as Associate Director of Event Investment at Destination NSW, bringing experience across both the commercial music industry and public investment in culture.

2026 SPEAKERS — FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT

Tom Windish
Booking Agent / EVP of A&R and Business Development, THE·TEAM (USA)   —   KEYNOTE
Tom Windish joins Going Global 2026 as this year's keynote speaker. As Executive Vice President at THE·TEAM, Windish leads A&R and Business Development while continuing to work as a booking agent for one of the most decorated rosters in the world: Lorde, BillieEilish, alt-J, The xx, M83, King Krule, Tove Lo, and Viagra Boys, among others.

A three-time Pollstar Agent of the Year nominee, Windish is recognised for his sharp ear, his long-game approach to artist development, and his record of growing international touring careers from the ground up. His presence at Going Global represents a rare and direct line into the upper reaches of global live music.

Andy Jones
Co-Founder & Head of Music, FOCUS Wales (Wales)
FOCUS Wales is one of the UK's most vital international showcase festivals, welcoming over 25,000 attendees and more than 250 artists across 20 stages in Wrexham each May. Andy Jones co-founded the festival and brings over 20 years in the industry as an artist, label MD, manager, and promoter.

He leads FOCUS Wales's international export programme, which has placed Welsh artists on stages at SXSW, Eurosonic, M for Montreal, Reeperbahn, and Zandari Festa. At Going Global 2026, Jones will lead two sessions: one on the current UK festivals and international showcasing landscape, and one on the role of language revitalisation in music identity and cultural export, a conversation with particular resonance here in Aotearoa.
Andy Jones travels to Aotearoa New Zealand, courtesy of the British Council Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific.

Kyle Kernohan
Festivals Booker, TBA Agency (USA)
Kyle Kernohan joined TBA Agency in 2024 as its first dedicated Festivals Agent, overseeing strategy and negotiations across more than 600 festival properties annually. Before TBA, Kernohan spent a decade at ICM Partners leading its Festivals Department, working with artists including Little Simz, Tobe Nwigwe, Montell Fish, and Duckwrth.

He subsequently joined Spotify's live events division as Talent Relations Lead, helping launch Fresh Finds Live and R&B First Nights, and previously curated talent for the Hollywood Bowl and other LA Philharmonic venues. His understanding of the global festival market is extraordinary in its breadth.

WHAT GOING GLOBAL OPENS UP

The connections made across the Going Global two days have led directly to international bookings, festival slots, label signings, and management deals for Aotearoa artists.

In 2024, Phoebe Rings showcased at Going Global and connected with Max Thomas of Reason Why Management / Secretly Group (Australia), who attended as a delegate and witnessed their performance. Thomas subsequently signed Phoebe Rings to his management roster and has overseen their international career development since.

“Everyone at Going Global is there because they want to discover the best new artists before the rest of the industry does. It's an incredible chance to get a leg-up on the global stage. If you're a local artist and haven't played Going Global yet — 1000% apply!”
MAX THOMAS, REASON WHY MANAGEMENT / SECRETLY GROUP (AUSTRALIA)

TICKETS & SHOWCASE APPLICATIONS

Earlybird tickets for Going Global 2026 are on sale now via Q Theatre, with earlybird pricing available until 4 August 2026. Tickets cover both conference days and entrance to the showcase nights.

Artist Showcase applications are now closed. Selected New Zealand artists perform live in front of all local and international delegates and the public, across three stages. Applications closed 10 July 2026.

Further speaker announcements, the full programme, and the 2026 Showcasing Artist selection will be released in the weeks ahead. Stay close. https://indies.co.nz/going-global/

GOING GLOBAL MUSIC SUMMIT 2026
Dates: Thursday 27 & Friday 28 August 2026
Venue: Q Theatre, Tamaki Makaurau/Auckland, Aotearoa, New Zealand
Tickets: Conference / Showcase tickets: https://www.qtheatre.co.nz/shows/going-global-music-summit-2026 (earlybird pricing until 4 August 2026)
Showcase-ONLY ticket link:  ON SALE NOW VIA UTR.CO.NZ
Showcase Applications: Closed 
Website: https://www.goingglobal.co.nz | https://indies.co.nz/going-global/

The two-day GOING GLOBAL MUSIC SUMMIT conference held in Auckland NZ is a gateway for any local artist, manager, publicist, A&R, producer, music writer, record label and venue manager to connect with, question and hear ideas from some of the international music industry's most relevant and forward-thinking superstars. IMNZ is bringing to New Zealand international booking agents, synch licensors, international media, PR experts, artist managers with international experience and those working for the fast-moving live and digital music platforms.

In tandem with the conference is the Going Global Presents Showcase Festival where a selected line-up of local artists perform short 20min sets in inner city connected venues. All of the international industry guests and the public are invited to come and check out some of Aotearoa’s most talented artists that are ready to take on the world . Previous showcases have been instrumental in the discovery of some of New Zealand's biggest success stories over the past ten years. Previous artists include; Borderline, Elliot & Vincent, Dick Move, Jujulipps, Phoebe Rings, Erny Belle, Half Hexagon, Aldous Harding, Mel Parsons, Tami Neilson, Tiny Ruins, Troy Kingi, Alien Weaponry, D.C Maxwell, Vera Ellen, Fazerdaze, DARTZ, Nadia Reid and many more.