Concert Reports



 

The NAMM Show

01/21/2025,

The 2025 NAMM Show Unites the Global Music Industry with World’s Largest Global Gathering - Groundbreaking product announcements, incredible music performances, and continued growth in key industry categories demonstrated the power and success of The NAMM Show’s continued evolution
 

 

All Photos: Ray Soto / Central Coast Rocks

 

NAMM.org

 

From January 21-25, NAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants), the largest global not-for-profit music trade organization, gathered the music industry at The 2025 NAMM Show for a powerful week that set the music industry’s narrative for years ahead. With 1,850 exhibitors representing over 4,400 brands and more than 250 educational sessions for NAMM member communities, The NAMM Show highlighted innovative music technologies, product introductions, and impending trends that shape the future of the music industry while creating a five-day long platform for network connections and meetings that are critical for uniting and growing music makers globally.

 

“The 2025 NAMM Show united and energized our NAMM members from the entire ecosystem of the music industry,” says John Mlynczak, NAMM president and CEO. “NAMM is the global stage for our industry to announce groundbreaking products, establish transformative partnerships, and gain valuable education that will lead to a successful year ahead.”

 

NAMM SHOW 2025 BY THE NUMBERS

 

• 63,000+ show attendees, including 10,700+ international attendees from 125 countries, regions and territories
• 1,850+ exhibitors representing 4,400+ brands
• Nearly 8,700 artists demonstrating and endorsing products
• 250+ education sessions with 650+ speakers
• 1,600+ media, influencers and content creators reaching over 200 million followers

“The 2025 NAMM Show delivered in every possible capacity, from headline artist performances on multiple stages every single day and night to emerging music industry leaders delivering powerful messages inside the convention center, as well as hundreds of new products and partnerships,” said Tom Sumner, NAMM Chairman and President of Yamaha Corporation of America. “We’re thrilled to unite our global industry every January, and the 2025 Show brought that energy and excitement that will be remembered for a long time.”

 

 

 

NAMM SHOW 2025 SET LIST HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

Global Media Day

 

In its second year, NAMM Global Media Day, where iconic brands spanning music, sound and entertainment technology categories announce breaking news to an exclusive media-only audience, took place in front of a standing room only ballroom of 500+ guests. Brands announcing new products for the first time included Fender, Gibson, PRS, Marshall, In Music and Roland.

 

NAMM’s Music for Life Honor Awarded to Critically Acclaimed artist Jon Batiste

 

NAMM presented iconic performer and globally acclaimed artist Jon Batiste with its highest honor, the Music for Life Award, in recognition of his lifelong contributions to music and commitment to inspiring music makers.

In an exclusive Friday morning Q&A with NAMM president and CEO John Mlynczak, Batiste discussed his early musical influences, the products that have helped define his career, and views on family values, music education and artist collaboration that was another NAMM special moment prior to his two-hour live performance later that evening on the Yamaha Grand Plaza Stage at NAMM 2025.

 

 

She Rocks Awards

 

The 2025 She Rocks Awards took place at The Hilton Anaheim Pacific Ballroom. The High Energy gala evening honored women in music from top performers to industry insiders. With live performances, inspiring speeches, a full course dinner, fabulous gift bag and so much more, the event is a legendary way to celebrate at NAMM and network with inspiring women from all walks of the industry.

This year's presenters and award winners included Samantha Fish, Lindsey Sterling, Paula Cole and Jennifer Batten. The She Rocks Awards have built a reputation for honoring women from all corners of the industry and genres, recognizing legends and up-and-comers. The night was rounded out by incredible performances by AIJIA, who performed with her husband, multi-platinum-selling artist Andy Grammer, and Lindsey Stirling, who was joined by up-and-coming violinist Christa. The night concluded with a bombastic performance by honoree Samantha Fish to close the night.

 

 

Ultimate Jam Night

 

Ultimate Jam Night, the high-energy Rock ‘N Roll show in residency at Hollywood’s world-famous Whisky A Go Go since 2016, held its fourth NAMM event on January 24, 2025 at the arena at the Anaheim Convention Center. Fresh off its 10th-anniversary show on January 21, it marked its largest production yet.

Featuring 83 legendary musicians, a 30-piece orchestra, and an 80-person choir, the event was presented by RCF and was supported by the David Z Foundation, and the Guitar Center Music Foundation who donated guitars that were signed by the performers and will be auctioned off with proceeds going directly to young musicians who lost their homes in the recent LA fires. The show was hosted by Paulie Z. of Z02 and Bohemian Queen..

 

 

NAMM’s Grand Rally for Music Education

 

NAMM rallied the industry around its mission Saturday morning, highlighted by one of the most magical moments in NAMM history with an emotional conversation and performance from the incredibly talented Jacob Collier who incorporated the entire audience into his performance. His inspirational question and answer session with John Mlynczak brought the audience to its feet and his inspirational performance will continue to unite us all year long through the music and education industries.

 

Special Recognition by NAMM Foundation

 

The NAMM Foundation made its first disbursement from its LA Wildfires Relief Fund during NAMM 2025, bestowing $10,000 to Lana Negrete and Outreach Through the Arts. Lana, who is also Mayor of Santa Monica, has served on the NAMM Board of Directors and is owner of Santa Monica Music Center. Mayor Negrete has been on the forefront of the neighboring Palisades fire and will utilize this donation to support music students with continued lessons, instruments replacements and the ability for her community to support music programs lost to the Palisades fire.

In addition, NAMM awarded Dinah Gretsch the Music For Life award for her steadfast commitment to philanthropy and creating more music makers worldwide.

 

NAMM NeXT Nashville

 

Coming off the success of last year's inaugural event, NAMM NeXT will return to Nashville from June 30–July 1. This immersive leadership summit gives business and industry leaders deep insight into growth and leadership in a one-of-a-kind curated program. Registration is now officially open and has limited capacity: https://next.namm.org/

To learn more about the 2026 NAMM Show and its full calendar of association activities throughout the year please visit www.namm.org

 

 

About NAMM

 

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $19.5 billion music products industry. NAMM is comprised of 15,400 global member companies and individual professionals with a global workforce of over 475,000 employees. NAMM events and members fund The NAMM Foundation's efforts to promote the pleasures and benefits of music and advance active participation in music-making across the lifespan. For more information about NAMM, please visit www.namm.org
 



 

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