Indie-Con 2025: AIR Announces First Wave of International Speakers

Richard Burgess, President and CEO A2IM, USA

A2IM reps Dr. Richard James Burgess (president and CEO) and Lisa Hresko (GM) lead the lineup of international speakers for the 2025 Indie-Con, locked-in for July 30th-August 1st.

Other speakers include Ian Harrison (executive VP Hopeless Records), Melanie Sheehan (US GM, Rough Trade Records), David Barnes (COO Rhymesayers), Salvatore Maicki (senior A&R, The FADER Label), Secretly’s Anna Bond (director of planning and initiatives) and Ali Murphy (senior international marketing director).

Closer to home, Kaoruko Hill (GM APAC Merlin) and Guji Lorenzana (A&R business development Symphonic Distribution APAC) will be on hand to “connect new possibilities across the Asia-Pacific Region,” from music rights and licensing to distribution and strategy, reads a statement.

Set to be presented at Adelaide’s Mercury Cinema, this year’s AIR’s Indie-Con is twinned for the first time with A2IM’s Indie Week “Australian Edition.”

“We look forward to welcoming speakers from around the globe to connect with the Australian independent recorded music community, discuss issues that affect our industry and explore opportunities for global growth,” comments Maria Amato, CEO of the Australian Independent Record Labels Association, organisers of Indie-Con and the annual AIR Awards.

The full program will be announced in late June.

AIR’s annual gathering is supported by the South Australian Government through the Music Development Office, with a mission to unite global independent music leaders to drive innovation, foster collaboration, and shape the industry’s future.

The event will once again culminate in MusicSA’s Scouted, an event highlighting emerging and unsigned musical talent from South Australia.

As previously reported, Amyl and the Sniffers and Alice Ivy could clean up at the 2025 AIR Awards, set for Thursday, July 31st at the Adelaide Town Hall.

Ocean Alley, Royel Otis, and 3% are among the acts capturing multiple nominations at the 2025 AIR Awards, which “recognise, promote, and celebrate the success of Australia’s independent music sector,” reads a statement from AIR.

Click here for ticketing information on Indie-Con.