A program supporting live music professionals is hoping to boost the live music scene in regional Victoria.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Music Victoria’s free professional and business development program Live Music Professionals is designed to support independent promoters, venue owners, venue managers and band bookers.
Live Music Professionals advisory board member Mel Dine said support was crucial to the success of live music venues in regional centres like Ballarat.
“Denby Walker from Karova Lounge was a participant in the program last year,” she said.
“He worked with some of Melbourne’s leading industry professionals to receive business coaching to help with the delivery of the live music program at Karova Lounge.
“Coaching increases the participant’s skills and networks. The music industry as a whole tends to be an industry that is based upon personal networks and skills.”
Successful applicants to the Live Music Professionals program will be matched with some of Victoria’s most skilled and experienced music industry professionals for one-on-one coaching sessions in key business-based areas.
In 2017 the coaches included the likes of Groovin The Moo festival booker Richard Moffat, and manager and co-producer of the Hills Are Alive Festival Aidan McLaren.
Ms Dine said regional Victorian centres like Ballarat had the potential to have a burgeoning live music scene.
I grew up in regional Victoria myself and I know there are so many music lovers in regional Victoria and people who want to travel out to regional areas to see live music as well.
- Mel Dine, Live Music Professionals advisor
“We have seen that with events like A Day On the Green and White Night in Ballarat. People in regional Victoria really want to have access to live music,” she said.
The opportunity to apply to be a part of the Live Music Professionals program comes after the closure of two live music venues, Suttons House of Music and Babushka Bar, in Ballarat last year.
Ms Dine said it was an expensive trade running live music programs and regular support was hard to drum up.
“It is always a shame when a live music venue or a festival fails to continue to grow. We want to encourage people to get out and experience live music,” she said.
Visit http://www.musicvictoria.com.au/livemusicprofessionals to apply for the program. Entries close on April 3.
Live Music Professionals is brought to you by Music Works and Music Under Wings, a Victorian Government initiative.
Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
