Expanded to respond to the year-round and time-critical nature of live performance and networking opportunities, Sound NSW’s new Touring and Travel Fund offers grants of up to $2,500 per person for domestic activity and up to $5,000 per person for international activity, assessed monthly, to enable NSW-based artists and industry professionals to travel for what is often major career-defining breaks.
The program is set to build on the success of the 2023/24 fund which injected $2.6 million in support of 179 tours and professional networking activities.
One of the groups supported was rock band, The Buoys who received funding for the band’s debut UK and European tour in May 2024, including performances at the Great Escape Festival. Now with a growing global fanbase, the band is heading back to the UK and Europe to tour its debut album Lustre following the success of their recent Australian tour. Upcoming shows include London, Glasgow, Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin.
Sound NSW also supported BARKAA’s debut BIG TIDDA national tour from August until November through the 2023/24 fund. BARKAA has seen standout success in 2024, named Artist of The Year at the 2024 National Indigenous Music Awards, received an ARIA nomination for ‘Best Australian Live Act’ and headlined the Sydney Opera House for Vivid Live. This month, BARKAA headlines the 2024 Giiyong Festival, a celebration of Aboriginal arts, culture and resilience in Yuin Country, South Coast NSW.
Artist Manager, Udaravi Widanapathirana, who represents a roster of clients including HTRK, Machine Girl, Desire Marea, 3NDLES5 and Aya Gloomy was supported to travel to London and the US. This trip strengthened their existing partnerships, enabled valuable in-person exposure for market development and helped them capitalise on international meetings with key labels including Mute, Rough Trade, Warp and Ghostly.
The expansion of the program comes ahead of the release of the NSW Government’s 10-year contemporary music strategy, that will outline plans to cement the state’s place as a global powerhouse for contemporary live music.
Applications for Sound NSW’s Touring and Travel Fund are now open. Visit the Sound NSW website for more information, eligibility criteria and application resources.
Head of Sound NSW Emily Collins said:
“Sound NSW is excited to mark the start of Ausmusic Month with the opening of this vital fund, so artists and industry professionals can get out on the road and do more of what they do best.
“Touring and travelling is essential for the growth of artists’ careers and for the sustainability of the whole live music industry. This year-round program will help expand our international market presence, grow audiences and support the entire contemporary music ecosystem.”
Sound NSW 2023/24 Touring and Travel Fund recipient Udaravi Widanapathirana said:
“As a manager, having the ability to spend dedicated unrushed, quality time (instead of the whirlwind of a conference) in key markets is incredibly important. Being able to think like a ‘local’ through spending extended time means better ideas around market strategy for your artists.
“My time in Europe and America allowed me to re-sign client Desire Marea to Mute Artists, finalise a record deal with FADER label in New York for 3NDLES5, firm up relationships with key buyers in New York and Miami for HTRK which has culminated in offers for the US tour, and sign a new Parisian producer Tatyana Jane to my roster.”
About Sound NSW
Established in 2023 Sound NSW is a dedicated office committed to the promotion of contemporary music in NSW. The upcoming 10-year contemporary music strategy will outline plans to cement NSW’s place as a global powerhouse for contemporary live music. Future programs will include support for artists, industry professionals, venues and organisations delivering industry development initiatives. Visit Sound NSW
