Jordan Munns
Head of Sound NSW Foreword
Contemporary music is a powerful contributor to the NSW economy and a vital part of the everyday lives of people living across the state. Whether you’re in Broken Hill, Bega, Byron Bay or Bondi, music soundtracks our lives, gives voice to our stories and shapes our communities. It also generates thousands of jobs, strengthens local economies and serves as a major catalyst for economic growth.
The global music industry is projected to experience substantial growth over the next decade and NSW needs a robust plan to ensure the state is competitive in the global market, as both a music destination and exporter. This strategy outlines a staged approach for the next 10 years: to stabilise industry foundations, drive growth and improve safety, equity and diversity.
Through helping build sustainable, viable business models, the NSW Government commits to the music industry’s continued growth. It will offer tools to create safer, more inclusive workplaces where experience fuses with fresh perspectives from a diverse new cohort of young artists and industry professionals.
With a supported and empowered music industry working collaboratively with proactive government partners, NSW is in a prime position to cement itself as a global music powerhouse and engine room for the Australian industry.
The next decade has the potential to be a golden age for music in our state, with artists and fans at the heart of a thriving industry filled with unprecedented opportunities. The NSW Government is uniquely positioned to play a pivotal role in this transformation, and this strategy provides a roadmap for making NSW a thriving home for great music.
Emily Collins, Head of Sound NSW
NSW Contemporary Music Strategy
Understand the NSW Government’s commitment to strengthening the NSW music industry, and highlighting the economic and cultural importance of this thriving landscape.
Vision - 2034
NSW is a global music destination and thriving engine room for the national industry, celebrating more than 65,000 years of local stories, leading best practice and enriching the lives of communities across the state.
Pillar one:
Building a better, more viable music industry
Pillar two:
Growing audiences for NSW music
Pillar three:
Strengthening our communities with music
Strategic Priorities
Pillar one: Building a better, more viable music industry
Prioritising First Nations music is our first strategic priority. Success relies upon collaboration and partnerships to build a strong First Nations music community in NSW, built on existing experience while empowering young voices.
1. Prioritise and protect First Nations music
2. Strengthen the live and recorded music ecosystem
3. Future-proof the industry through upskilling and enabling collaboration
4. Improve industry capacity, diversity, safety and standards
Renae Saxby
Sounds Australia
Pillar two: Growing audiences for NSW music
The NSW Government will support policies and initiatives that help drive music discovery, both locally and internationally.
5. Champion NSW music
6. Build insights and knowledge
7. Expand international markets
Pillar three: Strengthening our communities with music
Specific focus will be placed on initiatives that empower women, young people, First Nations people, those living regionally, people from CALD backgrounds and those living with disabilities.
8. Support music communities including regional NSW
Brad Schmit
Acknowledgement of Country
Sound NSW acknowledges NSW’s First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the country on which we live, work, create, perform and listen, and the lands and waters which are an endless source of inspiration for our music community.
We pay respect to Elders past and present, and celebrate the music deeply embedded in First Nations culture through Songlines, dance and ritual.
Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.
Harbourlife, 2023., Sydney. Image credit: Ruby Boland