Six years on and many gigs later he’s looking to firm up his skills in a new, free program for live music professionals. 

The Music Victoria program, which will run for the first time this year, aims to promote sustainable live music venues across the state.

Mr Anderson, who has applied for the program’s first intake, said Ballarat’s reputation in the mainstream music industry was growing off the back of a string of high profile gigs.

“There’s certainly a launching pad here in Ballarat, the scene is very strong and this program is trying to network and bridge the gap between Ballarat and Melbourne.

“In my eyes it’s always been a very cool local scene but it’s becoming a lot more well known and the amount of events that are happening in Ballarat, it just seems like the town is becoming more prominent in the mainstream industry.”

Last year’s 3350 Street Party, which brought Yacht Club DJs back to Ballarat for an all-local line up, has been a highlight of Mr Anderson’s career to date.

“That was a pretty successful moment for myself and the Ballarat music scene,” he said.

“Ballarat probably hasn’t seen the style of set up, a laneway-esque event.”

Karova Lounge venue booker Shaun Adams has been in the music industry for 14 years.

This month he brought Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds to play North Gardens.

"It was pretty special to work with an artist like Nick Cave and bring him and the Bad Seeds to Ballarat, it will be hard top that concert," Mr Adams said.

Mr Adams said he hoped the program would inspire people in the industry to keep feeding into Victoria’s music landscape.

Music Victoria chief executive officer Patrick Donovan said the program would strengthen the state’s regional touring circuit. 

“Live music professionals will upskill the current crop of venue operators and promoters and provide a succession plan for the next way of operators to learn from the best in industry. This will lead to better networks, bigger audiences and better connected tours coming through the regional circuit.”

Successful applicants will be matched with music industry professionals for one-on-one coaching and attend Victoria’s annual contemporary music industry conference Face The Music.

Applications for the free Live Music Professionals program are open until March 31. For more information visit www.musicvictoria.com.au/LMP.