Established to ensure the 7 million people living in regional and remote Australia are in the mix of the nation’s music industry, the inaugural Regional and Remote Music Summit was held in 7 – 9 August in Darwin.
Minister for the Arts, Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham today announced NSW will host the 2025 event. Sound NSW and Music Australia will jointly support MusicNSW to host the 2025 Regional and Remote Music Summit, with a contribution of $100,000 each.
The focus on regional music, and supporting the regional touring circuit, is a priority of Sound NSW’s upcoming strategy. Sixteen participants representing NSW regions, leaders, including 12 from regional NSW and eight First Nations people, were supported to attend this year’s forum.
The dates and location of the 2025 Summit will be announced in late 2024.
Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said:
“Rebuilding our regional touring ecosystem will benefit regional and remote communities, as well as the artists living in there.
“This event will play an integral role in reshaping the music industry. I’m encouraged that what begins in Darwin will build momentum next year in NSW, as we collectively work to tackle the challenges facing regional and remote touring for contemporary music.
“It’s through engaging directly with artists, policy makers and industry leaders that we can understand both the barriers and opportunities for regional stages.”
Head of Sound NSW, Emily Collins said:
“We’re honoured to be hosting next year’s Regional and Remote Music Summit, and looking forward to providing a meeting place for leaders and artists at the forefront of Australia’s music industry to focus on regional and remote touring.
“Regional and remote Australia offers great opportunities for the music industry, and music has an important role to play in building and strengthening communities all across the country, no matter how big or small. Dialogue and collaboration between artists and industry like this generates a powerful catalyst for growth, best-practice initiatives and solutions to challenges and rapid change.”
MusicNSW Managing Director, Joe Muller said:
“MusicNSW is delighted to take the baton from our friends at Music NT to deliver the next annual Regional and Remote Music Summit in regional NSW.
“In a context of accelerated sector change and challenges, we recognise the vital importance of developing music activity in regional and remote music communities. This event will bring together
the brightest minds in Australian contemporary music to connect and collaborate across three days of discussions which provoke the question, how can we support regional and remote music communities in NSW and Australia to truly thrive?”
Music Australia Director, Millie Millgate said:
“One of the best ways for Music Australia to ensure the focus remains on regional and remote music communities, is to provide continued investment into the annual Summit.
“A one and done event is not what any of us need and we are extremely pleased to partner with Sound NSW to commit to next years’ iteration.
“We’re confident that as an initiative of the AMIN network, MusicNSW will deliver a tremendous edition.”
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. Initial programs already underway to support the sector include wide-ranging regulatory reform to unlocking live music venues, and funding programs helping hundreds of NSW musicians to record or tour.
For more details on key initiatives, including the State of the Scene 2024 census, the Touring and Travel Fund, and the Venues Unlocked Program visit the Sound NSW website.
