Chugg, Elbourne Youngsters At Fusefest

Two promoters delivered the keynote speeches at the Fuse Festival February 27-29 in Adelaide, Australia, urging young acts to be persistent.

Leading Aussie promoter Michael Chugg urged the audience of young musicians and music executives to never give up. He recounted the number of Adelaide acts that have achieved national and international fame as well as the measures he employed as a penniless teenager trying to make it.

Martin Elbourne, who books the U.K.’s Glastonbury and Australia’s The Great Escape, suggested acts trying to get noticed should check out the European festival circuit. He pointed to Adelaide hip-hop act Hilltop Hoods, which got noticed at his festivals and is poised to cross over to 2,000-capacity clubs "where they’ll earn serious money."

Elbourne booked young band City Riots for The Great Escape after spotting them at a club the night before.

Two panels on festivals noted that the Australian scene is so buoyant that festivals can now launch new acts. Geoff Trio, head of Code One Entertainment, recalled how at one time an act built its way up from clubs to festivals. But "these days, a festival appearance fills out their club shows," he said.

The festival circuit is expected to grow as country, roots and blues events expand their bills to include rock and pop acts.

"There’s a point when international acts playing that niche style of music doesn’t lift attendances," said Stephen Foster, promoter of the Reggae Town Festival in Cairns, Queensland. "You need to widen the bill. As a result you’ll see festivals becoming more mainstream."