TEMPO: The Beirut Summit Connecting Artists, Professionals & Academia

Over the past decade, the Middle East and North Africa’s music industry has grown faster than its supporting infrastructure. Streaming has flattened borders, regional collaborations have multiplied, and Arabic music now reaches global audiences like never before. Yet behind this visibility lies a fragmented ecosystem: artists often develop in isolation from managers, producers, legal advisors, and academic resources, while emerging talent struggles to navigate the industry without structured guidance. 

While hubs like Dubai and Riyadh have begun formalising these connections through state-backed initiatives and industry summits, Lebanon’s music sector, despite its historical influence and density of talent, has largely relied on informal networks as economic instability has thinned institutional support. 

Recognising the immense potential that Beirut has to resume its position as one of the region's hot beds of music, SceneNoise is joining forces with a new music expo in Beirut, TEMPO, for its debut edition from February 12th to 14th. Conceived as an industry-focused platform and educational experience, the three-day event will take place across the American University of Beirut (AUB), combining seminars, workshops, panels, and live performance sessions designed to reconnect music professionals, organisations, academia, and emerging artists.

“There’s a clear shift happening in how Arabic music is being created and received across the region," Lana Hammoud, founder of TEMPO, tells SceneNoise. "While other countries have the infrastructure and platforms to support collaboration, Beirut’s scene is rich in talent but limited in opportunity to connect people in the industry.”

TEMPO’s program spans the full spectrum of the music ecosystem: veterans share experience through panel discussions, independent artists join networking sessions, and workshops cover songwriting, stage production, and live performance. “Our goal is to celebrate and elevate the art that has always existed in Lebanon, fostering a shared vision where local artists can tell our own stories, shape our cultural identity, and create music that stands confidently alongside global sounds,” Hammoud says.

Day one, February 12th, focuses on the tech side of music, delving into the tools and techniques that shape how music is made, with panels and exchanges with experts. On day two, February 13th, the sessions will discuss artist development, music rights and publishing to enable emerging artists to build more sustainable projects and careers. The day will also feature networking sessions with artist teams and other experienced creatives. Meanwhile, day three, February 14th, will be dedicated to live performance workshops, stage production and mixing board workshops, culminating with an after-party at The Grand Factory - one of Beirut’s leading nightlife venues.

Launching an industry platform in Lebanon today is inseparable from the country’s economic and social pressures. Resources are scarce, stability is fragile, and long-term planning often feels aspirational. Yet these conditions underscore the urgency of TEMPO’s mission. “What’s made the first edition possible is the collective buy-in from Lebanese music professionals and organisations who recognise the stakes," Hammoud explains. "This commitment reflects our values and reinforces the importance of moving forward, fostering growth, and building the industry professionally, no matter the circumstances.”

Rather than a one-off event, TEMPO aims to evolve into a sustained framework for learning, exchange, and collaboration. “TEMPO’s vision is to fuel creativity, innovation, and collaboration in the music industry, providing a platform where emerging artists can grow, established professionals can share their expertise, and the entire community can learn and evolve together.”

Guest list registration is now open via the link in TEMPO's Instagram bio. The event is with a limited-capacity, with guest requests carefully reviewed to ensure attendees enjoy an interactive and inspiring experience. 

Stay tuned to SceneNoise to know everything happening at the first edition of TEMPO Beirut.

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