The second Asian Music Industry Festival (AMIF) is officially set for November 15–16, 2025, in Boston, marking a powerful return to the international stage. This year’s edition introduces a broader scope and elevated content, once again uniting global industry pioneers with rising creative talent to drive deeper integration between Asian music and the world’s cultural ecosystem. Anchored by the new brand concept “I AM IFs,” AM represents the echo of our identity, the resonant chords of the present. At the same time, IFs embodies the sound of our infinity, the unheard melodies of the future.
AMIF 2025 will unfold over two days with a concentrated program lineup. Highlights include various panels, industry recruitment, cross-genre showcases, awards presentations, signing ceremonies, and an international music industry gala. Together, these avant-garde experiences will nurture a world-class cultural platform for the next generation of creators.
2025 AMIF: Sharper, Bolder, and Ahead of the Curve
This year, AMIF introduces new workshops and immersive pop-up experiences exploring the fusion of technology and art. The MIT Immersion Lab will collaborate with a group of traditional Chinese folk musicians and dancers on an experimental workshop that bridges performance practices with immersive technology. Audiences can also expect interactive installations and real-time generative art showcases, with surprise elements revealed closer to the festival.
Festival panels are expanding with a bold new scope, diving into the latest frontiers in music, technology, and culture. Topics include billion-stream distribution strategies, live performance market solutions, record label positioning, the influence of variety shows, opportunities in film and television scoring, the global trajectory of K-pop, the rise of the super-fan economy, and new approaches to content globalization.
These panels will bring together senior leaders from global record labels, tech platforms, talent agencies, marketing firms, producers, policymakers, acclaimed artists, and arts institutions for an intensive exchange of ideas and insights. Keynotes and discussions will give young musicians, creators, and professionals direct access to industry leaders. Sessions will look beyond creativity and distribution to examine the engines shaping music’s future—from platform mechanics and algorithms to market dynamics and fan ecosystems.
New Awards at AMIF 2025 – Celebrating the Voices Powering Real Transformation
Continuing the tradition of its first edition, AMIF 2025 will again host its core programs while introducing the new “AM” and “IFs” Awards, created to spotlight voices and innovations making a tangible impact on the music industry.
The “AM” Award will honor artists whose work has achieved broad and lasting influence, while the “IF” Award will recognize emerging and independent talents whose originality signals the future. Evaluation will focus on professional standards and industry contribution, moving beyond popularity to celebrate those driving genuine change and cultural progress.
AMIF 2023 Recap — A New Starting Point for Creative Convergence
The inaugural AMIF took place in Boston in 2023, built around the vision of “Harmonizing Cultures, Bridging Industries: Music as the Universal Language”. The event brought together prominent performers and industry leaders from both East and West, drawing an enthusiastic response on site and earning multiple official recognitions from the governor of Massachusetts, the mayor, and the city council president of Boston.
AMIF Concert Night: A Showcase of Asian Artistry
Chinese pop singer Shan Yichun took the stage at the Citizens House of Blues Boston as the finale act of the 2023 AMIF Concert night, delivering her powerful Western stage debut with a voice that resonated deeply with the audience and infused the evening with the spirit of Asian artistry. A venue that has long welcomed international icons such as Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, John Mayer, and B.B. King, and now carries new significance with the arrival of Asian musicians. The lineup brought together over 100 artists representing Malaysia, Indonesia, India, China, and many more.
Asian Music Industry Recruitment Event · Creating Pathways for the Next Generation
As part of the festival, the Asian Music Industry Recruitment Event, presented by the Music Industry Promotion Committee, brought together over a dozen leading companies from China alongside top North American music institutions. Participants included Sony Music (China), MIDI Music Group, Bymoon Entertainment, and other leading firms. Nearly 40 job openings were offered across records, production, live events, publishing, and technology, creating a high-efficiency platform for young people worldwide to engage directly with industry leaders.
Among the highlights of the inaugural AMIF were three special events and five panels linking music, technology, and culture. The Sound of Film featured Grammy- and Emmy-winning composer Claudio Ragazzi, composer Tim Huling, producer Zhang Yuming, The Wandering Earth assistant director Ke Ke, and director Su Lei, who discussed the ties between music and visual media. The Journey of Music brought strategist Christopher Wares, singer Shan Yichun, and young entrepreneurs together to consider AI, global circulation, and the balance of artistry and visibility. In partnership with the Harvard Venture Club, the Music Venture Forum explored NFTs, Web3, and the Metaverse, featuring insights from George Howard and Gracy Chen. Five additional panels addressed digital art, pop, music education, Asian folk, and cross-disciplinary practice, creating a transnational arena for experimentation and dialogue.
The success of AMIF 2023 established a foundation for cultural exchange and international reach. In 2025, the festival returns with an expanded reach and a more forward-looking vision, continuing to advance dialogue between Asian music and the global creative industries, and bringing to the world stage a richer, more imaginative spectrum of Asian voices. Under the theme “I AM IFs”. “AM” is the echo of our identity—the resonant chords of the present. “IFs” is the sound of our infinity—the unheard melodies from the future. Without sound, identity has no echo; But when a note is struck, a world takes form—where the “I” finds its echo, and the “ifs” sparks its harmony. The 2025 Asian Music Industry Festival extends an open invitation to the world to join this encounter between sound and the future.
Disclaimer: The Asian Music Industry Festival (AMIF) 2025 is an event organized by its respective hosts and partners. The content presented is subject to change based on the event’s schedule and the availability of participants. All trademarks, logos, and event details are the property of their respective owners. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of any event or participant’s involvement. Please refer to the official AMIF website for the most up-to-date details.
