The Tembo Bar - A hands-on Tembo station where you can stop by, and lay down a beat.

Invitation only.

(PTDJA Competition Winners)

12.00—1.30pm |  DJ TBA

01.30—2.30pm |  DJ TBA

02.30—3.30pm |  DJ TBA

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Success as an artist takes far more than great music. From building the right team and negotiating fair deals to growing your audience and creating a social media strategy that stands out, this session explores the building blocks of a long-term career. Hear from artists and industry experts on when to hire a manager or agent, get your tracks heard & signed, how to protect your value, diversify your income and build a brand that lasts beyond the dancefloor.

As the live sector navigates changing audience behaviours, rising costs and increased competition for ticket sales, the industry is also adapting to new technologies, evolving streaming platforms and the expectations of a new generation of artists and fans. What role will DSPs play in artist discovery? How do we build sustainable careers and healthier ecosystems? And where will the next wave of growth come from? Join leaders from across live, labels, streaming, technology and artist management as they explore the opportunities, challenges and innovations shaping the future of electronic music.

A hosted conversation with Alison Wonderland, tracing her path from classically trained cellist to one of electronic music's most genre defying artists, the leap from Sydney's warehouse party scene to headlining Coachella and Red Rocks, and how she's balanced the demands of being one of the biggest names in dance music. It's a chance to hear real, unfiltered advice from someone who has never been afraid to do things her own way.

The session will then open up to audience Q&A, giving aspiring artists a rare opportunity to ask their own questions and get direct advice from one of dance music's most distinctive voices.

In today's climate, standing out takes more than a good release schedule. This panel unpacks what actually works now, from visual and sonic identity to community-building and turning viral moments into lasting careers. Real strategies from artists and industry experts on building a brand that lasts beyond the trend cycle.

After years of positive momentum, has progress around diversity and equal representation across festival and event line-ups stalled, or even gone backwards? What's driving this shift, and how can the industry respond? Bringing together promoters, bookers, artists and industry leaders, this session explores the challenges behind today's programming landscape while focusing on practical solutions — from stronger talent pipelines and mentorship to evolving booking practices and creating more opportunities for the next generation.

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An accessible introduction to the fundamentals of mixing, hosted by FEM SYNTH LAB. Learn how to approach balancing levels, EQ, compression, effects and stereo space, with practical guidance and techniques to help take your productions from rough mix to finished track.

A look at how brand partnerships in electronic music have grown from festival sponsorships into full creative collaborations. Hear from the people shaping these deals on what makes a partnership authentic, how the landscape has shifted, and where it's heading next. Essential insight for anyone navigating brand deals from either side of the table.

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We Are All Musical Beings – The story behind Tembo and the reimagined approach for playful music making.

3.30—4.30pm | BITCHIMAWITCH

4.30—5.30pm | Pretty Gay Friendly

5.30—6.30pm | Trax Unit

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What does it really take to build a successful live career? Join artists, agents and industry experts for a practical, straight talking conversation covering everything from landing your first gigs and building relationships with promoters, to creating a strong artist profile and knowing when it’s time to get an agent.

Get real, tangible advice on what the industry is looking for, how to turn one booking into the next, and how to progress from local clubs to festivals and international stages.

Electronic music has always crossed borders, shaped by migration, cultural exchange and communities carrying their sounds around the world. Today, some of the most exciting artists are drawing on multiple identities, blending heritage with contemporary electronic music to create entirely new sounds. This conversation explores how diaspora communities are redefining global dance culture, why rhythm connects us beyond language, and how the dancefloor remains one of the few places where people from all walks of life and backgrounds can find a shared sense of belonging.

Machinedrum brings his MD Makes Music series to Beatport Connect for a special in-person session, giving attendees a behind-the-scenes look at his creative process as he builds music live and explores production, sound design and experimentation.

Electronic music has become a powerful force across film, TV, advertising and gaming, but what does it take to land a sync placement? In this session we explore how tracks make it to the screen, the importance of publishing and rights ownership, and how creators can unlock new revenue streams and global exposure through sync licensing.

We explore taking an event from a single night to a repeatable, growing brand. This session breaks down what actually goes into scaling a party or festival sustainably: building the right team, managing cash flow and risk, choosing the right markets and venues, and knowing when to grow versus when to hold steady. Hear directly from the team behind Framework LA on the lessons, mistakes and turning points that shaped their approach to building events that last.

How do you actually get your music in front of an A&R and what happens after you do? Join our moderator in conversation with senior A&R executives for practical, process-focused advice: how to get your demo heard, what makes a submission stand out, common mistakes to avoid, and how to build a genuine relationship with a label. Includes a Q&A, bring your burning questions!

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An artist fireside chat, told through music. The artist walks through the story of their career via five tracks that shaped it, a mix of their own and their inspirations. For each one, they break down the context: what it meant, why it mattered, how it connects to where they are now.

For today’s DJs and producers, social media is as much a part of the job as making music. But with new platforms, changing algorithms and the constant pressure to create, knowing where to focus can be a challenge. Great content still comes down to storytelling, authenticity and knowing your audience, but where to begin?

Join artists and industry experts as they share content ideas, platform best practices and simple hacks to help you tell your story and grow your audience.

Keep the night going at the Official Beatport Connect LA Afterparty at Sound with Sparrow (CH) & Kasango.

Join us from 10PM on September 25 following Beatport Connect LA.

‍Beatport Connect LA guests will receive a registration link via email to attend for free. Space is limited and registration is required to attend.