The WOMEX 2026 edition took place in Gran Canaria from October 21 to 25, bringing nearly 2,500 music industry professionals from over 115 countries to the island.
At Wakan Tanka Prod, we were representing our artist roster while seeking new connections and strategic alliances. It was also a fantastic opportunity to discover new artists and sounds from around the globe, as well as reconnect with long-time friends and industry colleagues.
Below are some of the key highlights from our experience at WOMEX 2026 Gran Canaria.
The Unofficial GCMN Opening Party
We took part in the traditional unofficial opening party organized by the Global Club Music Network (GCMN) collective. It typically takes place right after the official WOMEX opening ceremony.
This year’s party was held in memory of producer Dave Watts (aka KingL Man), who was based in Tenerife.
The line-up featured a performance by Super Muñeca with an electronic cumbia dub DJ set with tracks from the Wakan Tanka Records catalog.
The Strong Presence of Ibero-American Music at WOMEX 2026
This edition of WOMEX stood out for its strong Latin American and Spanish representation, largely driven by the host location.
Among the showcase performances, we highlight Barcelona-based group KeTeKalles—whose roots span Chile, Venezuela, Argentina, and Spain—blending rock, rap, and Latin beats. We also highlight Puppy Sierna (Colombia), a pioneer of guaracha music, who performed at the WOMEX Club Summit. Lastly, this year’s Artist Award went to Luzmila Carpio, a Bolivian singer who has spent over six decades championing music in her native Quechua language.
During the conference panels, discussions also covered the evolution of electronic cumbia, highlighting El Hijo de la Cumbia as one of the pioneering projects of the genre.
Wakan Tanka Prod at the Brazil Speed Meetings
It was an honor to be invited by the Brazilian delegation to participate in their official speed meeting sessions. It was a great opportunity to connect with music professionals from various regions of Brazil and exchange ideas for future trans-Atlantic collaborations.
Mentorships and Networking Sessions for Managers
We emphasize the importance of networking sessions and the opportunity to access specialized mentorship in an environment like WOMEX. It was valuable to participate in the mentorship led by Marina Roveta of Producciones Submarinas (Argentina/Spain). It was about building sustainable careers as managers, as well as the dedicated international manager networking sessions.
WOMEX 2027 Will Return to the Canary Islands
The event concluded with the great news that WOMEX will return to the Canary Islands in 2027. The next edition is set to take place from October 27 to 31, 2027, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
If you work in global music, we highly recommend attending WOMEX to expand your network and stay up to date with the latest trends in the global music industry. A big thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello, exchange ideas, share music, and propose future collaborations!
