Australia News: Childish Gambino, Chance, Tame Impala For Splendour In The Grass

One of 16 recommendations by a parliamentary committee for the Australian government to strengthen and grow the Australian music industry was for the Dept. of Foreign Affairs and Trade to work with the U.S. to develop mutually beneficial visa arrangements that allow artists from both countries to more easily showcase and tour. 

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts spent a year talking to music, radio and tech execs. Its chair, Luke Howarth MP, said, “Investment in the support and promotion of Australian artists and other industry careers is essential to the retention of talent and, ultimately, the sustainability and growth of the Australian music industry.”

Advice pertaining to live music included investing in tours, in the Live Music Office’s work advising and supporting state and local governments to develop music-friendly regulations; in Sounds Australia’s music exports program; and ensuring that Australian talent be used in government functions. Millie Millgate, executive producer at Sounds Australia, said, “The future potential of Australian music export is phenomenal and we are beyond encouraged by the recommendations handed down.” Millgate noted that the initiatives, if adopted by the government, would see the music industry’s target to reach 5% of the global music market by 2030. 

Other suggestions covered 25 percent Australian quotas on commercial radio and streaming playlists, more training for artist managers, more music education at schools, and increased funding for Support Act Ltd help of artists and industry workers facing financial and medical crisis.

Brisbane’s conference and showcase BIGSOUND (Sept. 3-6) is moving to a larger home after a 40 percent attendance rise in the past two years to 14,000.  

– Bigsound

This year it leaves its home since it was set up in 2002, the 300-capacity Judith Wright Centre, to conference and events Cloudland, with the largest of eight spaces accommodating 700. 

“Over the years, BIGSOUND has changed, with networking, workshops and other events becoming far more integral to the event,” said executive programmer Maggie Collins. Collins this year brought in Shihad drummer and artist manager Tom Larkin to help with the conference, while artist manager Melody Forghani and radio presenter and label director Tim Shiel join the live music team which deals with  150 export-ready showcases chosen from 1,000 applications.

The Living End has parted with its longtime manager Rae Harvey.  In a Facebook post, titled “Farewell To The Music Industry,” she revealed, “After 22-years of faithful service, my management agreement with The Living End was suddenly terminated. “Having dedicated the best years of my life to a band I assumed were a part of my family forever, what a kick in the guts. It is at my insistence that I’m honest about this and there’s no wishy-washy statement about splitting amicably, that’s not my style. I was fired. There…. I said it.” 

Starting out in the mid-‘90s touring Blink-182 and NOFX, Harvey steered the hard-touring trio to chart toppers in Australia, and regular tours of the U.S. and Europe. Harvey, fiercely protective of her charges, had in recent years set up a wildlife sanctuary while continuing to look after the band.

Two New Zealand musicians faced court for different reasons. Jacob Lowenstein, 28, drummer with death metal band Igni, is up against two arson charges, in connection with two Mormon churches set ablaze March 11 and 13. Meantime, an appeals court lifted April 5 a name suppression order on Tom Francis, a 24-year old rapper who cut a track with Snoop Dogg and 2018 semi-finalist for Young New Zealander of the Year. In March 2018, Francis pleaded guilty in Napier District Court to an unprovoked attack on a man outside a party two years before, breaking his nose after asking he “had a problem”. His lawyer at the time asked his identity to be cloaked as it would affect his chance of getting a US visa and affect his music career.

After selling out in its inaugural year, Event Summit returns as part of June’s light, music and ideas festival Vivid Sydney. 

The 22 sessions planned over June 13 sees the coming together of Australian and global event creators as TEG, Mushroom Group, Moonlight Cinemas, Racing Victoria, Basketball Australia, Samsung Australia, Woodford Folk Festival, The America’s Cup/SailGP, The Miami Dolphins (NFL), Samsung Australia and Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras. 

Sessions include paying off-duty police for security, harm minimization and health & safety at events.  International speakers include Elise Doganieri, creator of multi Emmy winning series The Amazing Race and Tim Roberts, safety, security and operations manager for large scale events including Glastonbury, SXSW, The Beijing Olympics and Red Bull’s UK events.