The Live Music Office will explore the state of play in Australian live music. From innovative policy, to rolling back regulatory barriers, stimulating audiences, fostering sector development, and building public demand, this session explores key challenges and opportunities for the next 3 years.

Session 1: Policy Frameworks and Development

Charting contemporary music policy structures nationally: development over the past three years, cooperation across multiple sectors, roundtables, taskforces, plans and research.

Panel: Karen Marsh, South Australian Music Development Office; Dan Carroll, City of Gold Coast; Daniel Henderson City of Ballarat; Deborah Klein, City of Ballarat; Lisa Bishop Music SA

Session 2: Activate, Upskill, Develop and Connect

Live music creates jobs and opportunities for artists and venues, and attracts millions of attendances around the country. Key to strengthening the live sector is building audiences and developing venues. A panel will discuss the state of play in the live scene, and Live Music Office activation initiatives.

Panel: Kirsty Rivers, Manager Contemporary Music Creative Victoria; Kerri Glasscock, Festival Director/CEO Sydney Fringe; Yvette Myhill, Executive Director Association of Artist Managers.

Session 3: Music Tourism and the Regions

Research has shown music is a powerful regional event attractor. This session explores ways to boost music tourism by strengthening regional music festivals and touring circuits, and the opportunities this can offer regional towns and communities.

Panel: Dobe Newton President Country Music Association Australia (Moderator); Kat Holloway, Groovin the Moo; Richard Moffatt, Way Over There;  Katie Noonan, Artistic Director Queensland Music Festival, Mark Smith Executive Director Music NT.

OBJECTIVES

• Convene a national meeting of professionals involved in the live music sector
• Provide briefing / insights on:
  • Key policy developments, regulatory reform, audience and sector development,
  • Key trends and dynamics of live music globally and nationally
• Identify key priorities for development
• Foster commitment to ongoing collaboration and action between industry and policy makers
• Commit to specific deliverables to pursue through advocacy and direct implementation

CONTENT

• Policy developments, regulatory reform – reviewing progress and pressing on
• Audience and sector development – challenges and opportunities
• What does success look like – operational function and strategic action
• Coordinating agencies – connecting government and industry
• Building the narrative – taking pride in our artists and venues or culture of crisis
• Shifting demographics – audience trends and keeping the live gig relevant to young people

DRAFT OUTCOMES

• Agreement by delegates to foster further cooperation – and commit to mechanisms for this
• Agree on recommendations to present to Roundtable plenary for adoption by delegates
• Commit to new initiatives, eg: best practice principles
• Commit to a course of advocacy to government and campaigns within industry

INVITEES           

• This forum is open to all professionals and policy makers involved in live music around Australia.
• Venue managers, promoters, agents, festival organisers, music industry professionals, Federal, State and Local Governments, employer and employee representatives are most welcome.

ORGANISER

This Forum is jointly organised by Music Australia, the national peak body for all music and the National Live Music Office. The Conveners are Chris Bowen (Music Australia), John Wardle and Damian Cunningham (National Live Music Office).

REGISTRATION

• The Live Music Forum is on Wed 3 August.
• Attendees can register for one day to attend the Forum, or for the whole Roundtable.