Hot Beats Music Conference 2026 Reveals Rio Programme With Women Front And Centre

The Brazilian conference returns to Rio de Janeiro this May with more than 100 speakers, over 30 panels, D-EDGE Rio showcases and a strong female presence across its 2026 programme

Hot Beats Music Conference has revealed details of its 2026 Rio edition, set to take place from May 21 to 24 at the Hotel Nacional, in São Conrado, Rio de Janeiro.

Now entering its third edition, the Brazilian music industry gathering will bring together artists, executives, producers, labels, platforms, curators, managers and professionals from across the electronic music ecosystem.

The 2026 programme is set to feature more than 100 speakers, over 30 panels and more than 15 workshops, covering music business, artist development, branding, royalties, technology, live performance, club culture, creative tools and the future of electronic music in Brazil.

A major point of focus this year is the presence of women across the conference. The line-up includes artists, executives, curators, journalists, managers, moderators and cultural leaders working across different areas of the electronic music industry.

Women Across The 2026 Rio Programme

Among the confirmed names is Lisa Sant, senior editor at Electronic Groove, who will moderate “Behind The Road Life: Discipline, Balance And Consistency”, a panel featuring Barja, Mai Lawson and Marian Flow.

Monique Dardenne, co-founder and director of Women’s Music Event, will also appear across the programme, moderating discussions connected to international opportunities, pop and electronic music, and the wider structure of the music industry.

Galecta, the Manaus-born DJ and producer now based in the Netherlands, is also part of the 2026 edition. Her appearances include sessions focused on funk, global club sounds and the technical construction of tracks for contemporary dancefloors.

Other women confirmed across the programme include Fernanda Abreu, Duda Croce, GIU, Paula Miranda, BLANCAh, Aline Rocha, Camila Jun, Ekanta, Martha Supernova, Bruna Strait, Marie Bouret, Sophia Simon, Priscila Prestes, Rita Fernandes, Fernanda Witz, Fernanda Rebello and Gabriela Loschi.

Their presence places women not only on stage, but also inside conversations around career strategy, curation, artist identity, mental health, international circulation, music production, market access and long-term sustainability in electronic music.

Programme Highlights

Key panels announced for the 2026 edition include “The New Wave Of Brazilian Music In The Global Market”, “The Impact Of Artificial Intelligence On Music, Art And Entertainment”, “50 Years Of Dance Music Through The Eyes Of DJ Meme” and “Brazil On The Rise: The New Moment Of Brazilian Dance Music”.

The conference will also host sessions on artist branding, independent labels, music curation, mental health, royalties, diversity on the dancefloor, local scenes, trance, urban music and the growing role of Latin America within global electronic music.

Selected women-led and women-focused sessions include “Behind The Road Life: Discipline, Balance And Consistency”, “Building A Successful Career: Strategies, Mistakes And Behind The Scenes With GIU”, “The Road To The Stage, What Nobody Sees Before The Show”, “From Studio To Chart: The Connection Between Pop And Electronic Music” and “Trance: From The Golden Era To The New Boom”.

Workshop highlights include sessions on music production, live performance, creative DJ sets, funk and global club sounds, Rekordbox, independent booking strategies, demo feedback and the creative process behind music production.

D-EDGE Rio Hosts Official Showcases

Alongside the conference programme, D-EDGE Rio will host official Hot Beats Music Conference showcases on May 22 and 23, extending the event into the club space with line-ups connecting Brazilian and international electronic music.

The D-EDGE programming includes names such as Aline Rocha, Eli Iwasa, Martha Supernova, BLANCAh and Mai Lawson, reinforcing the female presence across both the daytime conference and night-time showcases.

The May 22 showcase features Aline Rocha, Eli Iwasa, Martha Supernova, Ratier, From House To Disco, Leo Janeiro, Roland Leesker and The Checkup. On May 23, the programme continues with Balance Rio, featuring BLANCAh, Kevin Di Serna, Mai Lawson, Morttagua and Naza.

Rio Hosts Brazil’s Electronic Music Industry

By bringing the conference to Rio de Janeiro, Hot Beats continues to position the city as a meeting point for Brazil’s electronic music industry. The 2026 edition arrives at a moment when Brazilian artists, sounds and cultural movements are gaining wider visibility across the international dance music landscape.

Across four days, the event will connect panels, workshops, networking and showcases, creating a platform for artists and professionals looking to understand where Brazil’s electronic music scene is heading next.

Event Information

Event: Hot Beats Music Conference 2026
Dates: May 21 to 24, 2026
Conference location: Hotel Nacional, Avenida Niemeyer, 769, São Conrado, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Official showcases: D-EDGE Rio, May 22 and 23
Tickets: Available via Zig
Instagram: @hotbeatsacademy