The Association of Independent Music (AIM) has released the full programme for 2025’s AIM Connected.
The organisation’s flagship music conference and networking event is aimed at a global audience of founders, leaders, strategists and entrepreneurs across the independent music sector and beyond.
Taking place at new location, East London’s Rich Mix, on Tuesday, September 9, the conference will feature a keynote 'fireside chat’ between AIM CEO Gee Davy and AI commentator Ed Newton-Rex. Founder and CEO of ethical AI non-profit, Fairly Trained, Newton-Rex is a vocal advocate for responsible data training practices and copyright protection for artists and music rights-holders, as well as being an experienced entrepreneur and composer.
He is the winner of a Cannes Lion Innovator Award for his AI composition startup Jukedeck (since acquired by Bytedance), and previously led Bytedance’s AI Music lab and the audio team at Stability AI. Recently, he has been a key figure in the ongoing Make It Fair campaign around generative AI in the UK.
Leading music industry figures speaking this year include Luminate VP/GM of international, Adrian Sarosi, Young COO Chloë Roberts speaking on business leadership, Exceleration Music partner (and former Merlin CEO) Charles Caldas on how independents can face the current market disruption, and president of Netherlands independent association STOMP Kees Van Weijen on how governments can best support music.
Also speaking are: Republic of Music head of digital distribution Naomi Bressani, PPL head of international Chloe Rowlatt, Ninja Tune global digital strategy & operations lead Andy Belmont, Domino senior manager for digital operations and technology Phoebe Petridis, and AudioSalad customer success manager Pip Antenbrink.
The event will also feature the return of AIM Connected’s ‘Strong Opinion’ mini-keynotes throughout the day, with leading experts speaking on a range of key issues. These include Murmur MD Fanny Calder on the power of collective climate action; Punch Records founder and chair of UK Music’s Diversity Taskforce, Ammo Talwar, on the power of both diversity and the Midlands scene; and LIVE CEO Jon Collins setting out key issues for the live sector.
We have an array of expertise to give vital intel, insider guidance and big thinking points across the many key challenges and opportunities
Gee Davy
Further highlights include discussion on the latest developments in the international neighbouring rights landscape, expert-led guidance on label operations in 2025, and insider knowledge on the highs and lows of scaling music businesses from award-winning independent music executives.
There will also be a further session on AI, this time with a focus on its potential impact on the future music workforce.
Attendees can pre-book one-on-one networking sessions running throughout the day. There will also be open networking throughout lunch and during a closing drinks reception sponsored by AudioSalad.
Subsidised entry is available to all members of AIM, as well as various UK and international trade and community organisations.
AIM is offering an additional discount to its non-London based rights-holder and distributor members in recognition of the additional costs of attending a conference in London for those in other regions and nations of the UK, plus bursary places to address other barriers to entry to the industry.
AIM’s CEO Gee Davy said: “This year’s AIM Connected comes at a time of disruption on many fronts and we have responded by assembling an array of expertise and experience to give vital intel, insider guidance, and big thinking points across the many key challenges and opportunities; not just for independents but the whole music sector.
“The conference continues to be a must-attend event to gain essential knowledge across the strands which together drive music entrepreneurship: business, technology and people; to meet new business partners, and to face today’s challenges and create success.”
