PEPTALK performing at BIGSOUND in Brisbane, QLD. Image credit: Gabi Rankine.
NSW is brimming with exceptional talent and the industry plays a critical role in the state's economic and social wellbeing.
Through targeted programs and initiatives, Sound NSW champions and invests in the contemporary music industry to deliver positive outcomes for artists and audiences. We provide grants, funding and support for NSW artists, live music venues, organisations and professionals in the NSW music industry.
The activities supported by Sound NSW range from the recording and promotion of new and original projects to touring and industry event travel, both nationally and internationally.
We support projects big and small and understand that these funding opportunities can open many doors for artists, managers, producers and countless others who play a critical role in the state’s contemporary music industry.
Recording & Promotion Grants
Vv Pete performing at Phoenix Central Park in Chippendale, NSW. Image credit: Jordan Munns.
This funding program is designed to support NSW contemporary musicians to record, release and promote new and original creative projects.
The Recording & Promotion Grants program delivered $2.2 million to 59 NSW artists in 2023/24 to support the recording and promotion of new and original contemporary music.
Supported NSW musicians include Meg Mac, Boy & Bear, Ngaiire and rising stars Royel Otis, along with hip hop artist Vv Pete, indie-pop group PEPTALK and alt-country artist Maddy Jane.
View the full list of 2023/24 Recording & Promotion Grant recipients below.
2023/24 Recording & Promotion Grant recipients
Multi-instrumentalist, producer and singer-songwriter Stevan in the recording studio. Image credit: Emerald Daniel.
RnB and future-soul singer-songwriter, Ngaiire. Image credit: Daniel Segal.
Touring & Travel Fund
Designed to address the time-sensitive nature of venue availability and performance opportunities, the Touring & Travel Fund supports national and international touring activity and attendance at key music industry events for NSW artists and industry professionals.
The Touring & Travel Fund delivered $2.6 million in 2023/24 to 179 music acts to support national and international touring activity and attendance at key music industry events for NSW artists and industry professionals.
We’ve seen rapper ChillCheney embark on a six date Australian tour, country artist Fanny Lumsden kick off a multi-date UK tour, and indie rock group The Buoys take on their first overseas tour across Europe and the UK. The Touring & Travel Fund will support 85 international and 94 domestic tours, showcasing the exceptional depth of talent of NSW artists not just on the national touring circuit, but to the world.
The fund also supported Sydney rapper BARKAA take off on her first national tour, Newcastle band dust to take up a European support tour with legendary New York act Interpol and backed Broken Hill metal act Firestorm to support a Canadian band Unleash The Archers on their Australia and New Zealand tour.
View the full list of 2023/24 Touring & Travel Fund recipients below.
Malyangapa and Barkindji rapper, musician and activist, BARKAA. Image credit: Tristan Edouard.
2023/24 Touring & Travel Fund recipients
GRAACE performing at The Metro in Sydney, NSW. Image credit: Chloe Martha.
Salarymen performing at The Victoria in London, United Kingdom. Image credit: Kasia Kwasniewska.
Royel Otis on tour in Europe. Credit: Jamieson Kerr
Supporting the NSW contemporary music industry
The 2023/24 Recording & Promotion and Touring & Travel programs are supporting over 800 artists and industry professionals, and will underpin the quality of our live music and recording scene.
Sound NSW has delivered $4.8 million total funding in 2023/24 through the Recording & Promotion Grants and Touring & Travel Fund.
The Recording & Promotion Grants program is supporting 59 NSW artists and acts to record and promote new and original contemporary music.
The Touring & Travel Fund is supporting 85 international and 94 domestic tours, showcasing the depth and talent of NSW artists to the world.
Australian blues musician Ash Grunwald performing live. Image credit: Glenn Mossop.
For the first time in NSW, under the Touring & Travel Fund, support for people with care requirements or cultural needs was covered, removing a critical barrier in the music industry to allow more artists to tour.
Five acts benefited from this support, including acclaimed country singer Fanny Lumsden who was able to take a carer for her two young children on a UK tour, and Hannah Joy and Tim Fitz from Middle Kids who received support to take their two young children on a North American tour.
So grateful to be included in this round of international touring grants; it’s a huge challenge to fund breaking into new markets, which are necessary for building long term sustainable careers. We are independent, self-managed and also have two little kids, and with both my husband and I running everything and in the band, they have to come with us. This funding has assisted in us being able to bring some support on the road, which literally allows us to do our jobs.
Fanny Lumsden, 2023/24 Travel and Touring funding recipient
Find latest grants and funding
Discover open grant opportunities and view Sound NSW funding recipients via the Grants Finder.
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