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 - SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT
David Melick 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.
Steph Salas
Label Manager, Carpark Records & Carpark Publishing (USA)
Steph Salas brings 14 years at Carpark Records and more than two decades of music industry experience to the summit. As Label Manager for Carpark Records and Carpark Publishing, she oversees A&R, distribution, marketing strategy, and global campaigns across a roster that includes Toro Y Moi and Beach House. Excitingly, the label already has a keen ear for Aotearoa music, including representation for The Beths, Hans Pucket, Chelsea Jade and most recent signing, Phoebe Rings.
Salas began her career in college radio and radio promotion, later serving as Co-Label Manager at FatCat Records' North American office. Her perspective on building global independent label campaigns is both practical and far-reaching.
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 SOON VIA UTR.CO.NZ
Showcase Applications: Closed
Website: https://www.goingglobal.co.nz | https://indies.co.nz/going-global/