The inaugural edition of the India International Music Week (IIMW) begins in Goa today
ADITHI SHARMA | NT BUZZ
Goa is all set to host the inaugural edition of the India International Music Week (IIMW) 2025 from February 4 to 6 at Anjuna and Vagator.
An initiative by India Music Exchange (IMX) with participation from over 30 countries, IIMW will serve as a melting pot for musicians, industry professionals, and music enthusiasts alike, setting the stage for what is expected to be an annual event.
And known for its rich musical heritage and vibrant cultural scene, Goa offers the perfect backdrop for a festival of this magnitude. In fact, according to the event’s organisers, the state’s legacy of musical collaboration, coupled with its reputation as an international destination, makes it the ideal host.
“Goa has always been a point of convergence for people and cultures from around India and the world. It stands for an experience that allows creativity and collaboration to thrive, which aligns perfectly with the ethos of IIMW,” says executive trustee of India Music Exchange, Rafael Pereira.
One of the key highlights of IIMW 2025 is its carefully curated artist line-up featuring an eclectic mix of musical genres and artists. The opening night will witness performances from Talvin Singh, a pioneer of Asian Electronica, Shillong-based blues and R&B artiste Tipriti Kharbangar, and Goa’s very own Roz Angon, a band that revives Goan music from the 80s and 90s with contemporary jazz arrangements. The band will be the headliner for the curtain raiser on February 4 at Rockpool, W Hotel.
Over the next two days, the IIMW Music Showcase Festival will take over Echo and Vamos in Vagator, featuring some of the finest emerging artistes from India and across the globe. Bratri (Czech Republic), Kimyan Law (Austria), Mother’s Cake (Austria), Rosa Cecilia (UK), Tracy De Sa (France), and Tsumyoki with Goa Trap Culture (India) are among the many artistes set to perform. These showcases will offer an immersive experience for attendees, allowing them to discover new music in both outdoor and intimate indoor settings.
With the theme ‘Global. Music. Mobility.’, IIMW underscores its mission to bridge the gap between Indian and international music industries. “One of our main objectives is to facilitate collaboration between artistes and industry professionals through a structured match-making process,” says Pereira.
IIMW is designed as more than just a music festival—it is a music industry trade conference with panel discussions, networking opportunities, and matchmaking sessions designed to support emerging talent. Industry experts, record labels, festival programmers, and venue owners will engage in discussions that shape the future of the Indian and global music markets.
“One of our key success parameters is for artistes performing at IIMW to find industry partners who can support their growth and journey. Our success is in their success,” says Pereira.
IIMW will also host music production workshops and cultural exchange programmes, further reinforcing its role as an enabler of international collaborations.
“We aim to initiate and facilitate dialogues between Indian and global musicians. While we provide the platform, it is up to the artistes to take the journey forward,” adds Pereira.
The festival’s programming process itself has been a rigorous yet democratic effort. “We started with a call for artists to apply, receiving around 400 applications from across the world. From there, our team carefully curated a line-up that best represents the diverse and dynamic nature of the global music scene,” explains Pereira.
As the global conversation around sustainability in events grows, IIMW 2025 is taking conscious steps to minimise its environmental footprint. The festival has partnered with Swordfish, known for producing the sustainable ‘Echoes of Earth’ festival, to integrate eco-friendly practices into its operations.
Additionally, the organisers emphasise their commitment to engaging with the local Goan community. “Events that lawfully include, empower, and showcase the talent, infrastructure, and potential of Goa will always be supported and loved by Goans,” says Pereira. Thus, among the line-up, Tsumyoki and Tracy De Sa, two of Goa’s most promising contemporary artistes, will also take centre stage, further showcasing the state’s talent on an international platform.
And the organisers envision IIMW growing into a major annual music event that not only promotes music tourism but also elevates India’s position as a global music hub.
“Our overarching objective is to highlight India’s musical and cultural diversity while making the country an essential stop on the international music industry map,” says Pereira, adding that Goa will continue to play an integral role in the festival’s long-term vision. “While we are bringing India and the world to Goa, we are also taking Goa to the world,” says Pereira. “Collaborating with local partners like Kaizen Events and featuring Goan artistes in prominent slots is just the beginning of what we aim to achieve in the coming years.”
Through its commitment to innovation, collaboration, and sustainability, IIMW 2025 is set to lay the foundation for a new era in India’s music industry.
