The annual Regional and Remote Music Summit will be held in New South Wales in 2025, following the inaugural industry event in Darwin.
After going down from 7-9 August in Darwin – ensuring the voices of seven million people living in regional and remote areas of the country, including those in the music industry, are heard – it’s NSW’s turn next year.
The New South Wales Minister for Arts, Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham, announced today that NSW will host next year’s event.
The event will be hosted by MusicNSW with the support of Sound NSW and Music Australia, each contributing $100,000 to help deliver a great event. Sound NSW’s upcoming strategy aims to spotlight the regional touring circuit.
Dates and locations of the 2025 Regional And Remote Music Summit will be revealed later this year.
In a statement, Graham said the “rebuilding” of the state’s regional touring ecosystem will benefit those living in regional and remote communities.
Graham added, “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, policymakers and industry leaders that we can understand both the barriers and opportunities for regional stages.”
Emily Collins, the Head of Sound NSW, added that the organisation is “honoured” to host next year’s Regional And Remote Music Summit and looks forward to “providing a meeting place for leaders and artists” within Australia’s music industry to emphasise 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,” Collins said. “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’s Managing Director, Joe Muller, said that the organisation is “delighted” to take the baton from Music NT to deliver next year’s Regional And Remote Music Summit in New South Wales.
Recognising the “vital importance” of developing music activity in those communities as the live music sector continues to face new challenges, Muller continued, “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 added that “one of the best ways” Music Australia can support regional and remote music touring is through 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 year’s iteration,” Millgate said. “We’re confident that as an initiative of the AMIN network [AMIN Worldwide – Advertising and Marketing Independent Network], MusicNSW will deliver a tremendous edition.”
