2026 IMPACT International: Australia/New Zealand Next-Gen: Emily Taylor

Emily Taylor
Promoter Ops Manager & Programmer / Ones To Watch & Next On | AGE: 27
Live Nation Australia & New Zealand

BEST OF PIECE ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED: “Be nice to everybody. The Australian live industry is built on relationships, and you never know who you’ll work with again.”

A One Direction fan in her teens, Emily Taylor read about their tour manager in an interview. Having no idea what the job entailed, she Googled it.

“I learned more about tour and artist management, and thought, ‘That’s what I’m meant to do.’

“From there, I discovered the wider music industry, and with my love of live music and event management, ending up in the live business felt like the perfect fit.”

Her first role was in ticketing. Stints at Laneway Festival and SXSW Sydney taught her how to deliver an event from start to finish.

The highs of her career thus far have been “fortunate to work across some incredible tours at Live Nation, from stadium shows like Travis Scott and Kendrick Lamar to arena tours including Doja Cat, Jelly Roll and Tate McRae.”

But she notes that while being part of productions on that scale is always exciting, her “biggest career highlights are often the less visible ones.”

These include LN’s launch pad Next On, working with an act’s team to progress their career, including gaining slots on major events, and helping maximize both the promotional impact and financial return of their headline shows.

Her role outside LN as an artist manager keeps her connected to the grassroots sector, winning acclaim for her programming on Ones To Watch.

Advantages And Challenges For Her Generation
“I’m incredibly grateful to the women who came before me and helped make the Australian music industry a more inclusive place.

“Technology has opened more doors than ever for artists, making it possible for more people to build careers in music. But at the same time, it’s never been harder to cut through the noise and find an audience.

“It’s also an exciting time to work in live music. Audiences continue to crave real-world experiences, and live has become an increasingly important part of an artist’s career. The challenge now is making sure that growth is sustainable for artists, their teams and everyone working behind the scenes.”

The Next 12 Months
“The past year has been about launching a range of developing artist initiatives. Over the next 12 months, my focus is on refining those programs, ensuring they’re sustainable, and continuing to grow them in ways that genuinely benefit local artists.”