AIM Connects returns to Whelan’s on May 27th with Niamh Byrne and Jay Pidgeon as keynote speakers.
AIM Ireland’s annual industry summit AIM Connects is back for its second edition, taking place at Whelan’s on Wednesday May 27th.
The day brings together Irish and international independent music industry figures for a series of panels and presentations covering the business of music in 2026. Topics on the agenda include AI in music, what actually breaks an artist right now, building live careers, running a 360 campaign as an independent, international artist management, and the future of independent venues.
Two keynote interviews headline the programme. Niamh Byrne, co-founder of London’s Eleven Management and chair of the UK Music Managers Forum, returns to Dublin fresh from the success of the new Gorillaz record and ahead of their Electric Picnic headline slot. She manages Damon Albarn, Gorillaz, Blur, and The Clash.
Jay Pidgeon, founder of Purple Wall Management – home to Claptone, Deep Dish and others – also makes a return to his home city ahead of a summer that includes four artist residencies in Ibiza.
Other confirmed speakers include Chris Cooke (Complete Music Update), Ceri Dixon (Redlight Management), Sheena Madden (Amplify PR), Simon Merriman (Singular Artists), Jordi Grant O’Rourke (Rubyworks), Tracy Clifford (RTE), Ray O’Donoghue (Night-Time Economy Advisor for Dublin City), and others. I’m also on the speaker list.
Tickets are €32.50 including booking fee from Ticketmaster or whelans.ie. AIM members can get a discounted rate by contacting [email protected].
AIM Ireland and SCGI criticise RTÉ decision to outsource Radio 1 music identity
Ahead of the summit, AIM Ireland and the Screen Composers Guild of Ireland (SCGI) have jointly criticised RTÉ’s decision to replace the suite of signature music across RTÉ Radio 1 with a new “fully unified audio identity” created by UK-based production company Wisebuddah.
The outgoing themes – many composed by Irish writers – have long been part of the broadcaster’s distinct identity. Both organisations say the decision represents a direct loss to the Irish music sector, with a potential value of up to €100,000 per annum in music rights and royalty income removed from domestic composers, performers and studios.
While acknowledging the contract was awarded through a public procurement process, SCGI and AIM Ireland have raised concerns that the structure and scale of such tenders may not be accessible to most Irish-based composers and independent creators. Both organisations say they are in discussions with RTÉ about ensuring future commissioning processes are transparent and open to domestic talent, and about reinforcing the broadcaster’s role in supporting Ireland’s creative economy.
SCGI CEO Sarah Glennane said that public funding should translate into public value – supporting Irish talent, retaining Irish IP, and reflecting Irish identity on national airwaves.
The issue is likely to be a live topic at AIM Connects given the broader conversations around AI, platform pressure and the sustainability of Ireland’s composer ecosystem.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
