As Beatport's global summit series touches down in Los Angeles on September 26, 2025, Hollywood will transform into a hub of electronic music innovation and industry discourse. With eight carefully curated panels featuring leading voices from across music, culture, and business, Beatport Connect L.A. promises to deliver essential insights for emerging artists, record labels, and music industry professionals. Here are four panels that should be at the top of every attendee's must-see list.
AI & Creativity: The Future is Now
Panelists: Josh Love (Partner, Reed Smith LLP), Lola Leslie (CEO & Co-Founder, Naviro), Rebuke (DJ/Producer), Paul McCabe (Senior VP Research & Innovation, Roland), Jessica Wilson (COO/Co-founder, Seven20)
As artificial intelligence continues to revolutionize music production, this panel couldn't be more timely. With AI tools now capable of generating beats, writing melodies, and even mastering tracks, the fundamental questions around artistic ownership, creative authenticity, and industry ethics have never been more pressing.
The panel brings together a fascinating mix of perspectives: legal expertise from Josh Love, who's navigating the complex copyright implications of AI-generated content; technological innovation from Roland's Paul McCabe, whose company has been at the forefront of music technology for decades; and real-world application from producer Rebuke, who's actively integrating AI into his creative process.
What makes this discussion particularly compelling is how it bridges the gap between theoretical implications and practical applications. While lawyers and tech executives debate the future, working artists like Rebuke are already experimenting with these tools in their studios. Expect frank discussions about where the technology enhances creativity versus where it might replace human intuition, and what that means for the next generation of electronic music producers.
Nightlife, Identity & Safe Spaces: Preserving Culture in Changing Times
Panelists: DJ Minx (DJ, House Your Life/Women on Wax), Gregory Alexander (Founder, A Club Called Rhonda), Brian De Los Santos (Digital Host, LAist), Josh Peace (DJ), Saturn Risin9 (DJ/Musician/Artist)
In an era where rising rents and gentrification threaten the very spaces that birthed electronic music culture, this panel addresses one of the most critical issues facing the scene today. Los Angeles, with its complex relationship between underground culture and mainstream entertainment, provides the perfect backdrop for this essential conversation.
DJ Minx brings decades of experience fighting for representation in house music, while Gregory Alexander's A Club Called Rhonda has become synonymous with inclusive, transformative nightlife experiences. The panel will tackle how venues can create truly safe spaces for marginalized communities, the role of queer artists and DJs in shaping club culture, and the ongoing challenges of maintaining authentic spaces in an increasingly commercialized landscape.
This isn't just theoretical discussion—it's about survival. As cities become more expensive and venues face mounting pressure from developers and city officials, the communities that created electronic music culture risk being pushed out entirely. The insights from this panel will be crucial for anyone working to preserve and protect the cultural foundations of the scene.
Breaking Through in The Attention Economy: Staying Human in the Algorithm Age
Panelists: Moody Jones (President, Dirtybird), Max Weinberg (VP Marketing, Interscope Capitol Records Group), Sara Hartzell (Artist + Events Publicist, Infamous PR), Dillon Francis (DJ/Producer), Rachel Brodsky (Music & Culture Journalist)
If there's one challenge that keeps every artist and label executive awake at night, it's cracking the code of today's attention economy. With TikTok driving music discovery, algorithmic playlists determining reach, and content creation demands seemingly endless, this panel tackles the most urgent marketing challenges facing electronic music today.
Dillon Francis, who's mastered the art of viral content while maintaining his artistic integrity, will share insights alongside industry veterans who've helped shape careers in the streaming age. The discussion promises to go beyond basic social media tips, diving into the psychology of fan engagement, the balance between authentic storytelling and algorithmic optimization, and how artists can build sustainable careers without burning out from content creation demands.
What makes this panel particularly valuable is its timing—as the industry continues to grapple with constantly evolving platforms and shortened attention spans, the strategies discussed here will be immediately applicable for anyone looking to break through the noise.
From Streams to Stages: The New Blueprint for Fan Engagement
Panelists: Kira Karlstrom (Head of Twitch Music Label Relations), Matt Black (CEO, Circa), Joe Wiseman (Head of Insomniac Music Group), Rachel Narozniak (Independent Music Journalist)
The relationship between digital platforms and live events has never been more intertwined, and this panel brings together the key players reshaping how artists connect with fans across both realms. With Insomniac's Joe Wiseman representing the live event powerhouse behind festivals like EDC, and Twitch's Kira Karlstrom offering insights into the streaming platform that's become essential for artist development, this panel will reveal how smart artists and labels are creating synergy between digital and physical experiences.
The discussion will likely explore how livestreaming has evolved from pandemic necessity to permanent marketing tool, how festival bookings now factor in social media metrics, and how emerging platforms are creating new opportunities for fan engagement. For emerging artists trying to understand how to translate online buzz into real-world success—or vice versa—this panel offers insights from the executives making those connections happen at the highest levels.
Beatport Connect L.A. takes place Friday, September 26, 2025, at the W Hotel Hollywood. 50% of ticket proceeds are to benefit MusiCares. The summit includes daytime programming, sunset networking on the WET Deck, and a late-night Beatport Live event at The Loft in collaboration with Insomniac Records.
