The Minns Labor Government is backing the careers of local musicians and growing job opportunities in the music industry through its biggest ever package of grants. The total $9.3 million of funding will support bands on national and international tours, studio recording, promotion and industry development.
Delivering this vital support is designed boost an industry facing significant challenges including unpredictable ticket sales, a retraction in music festivals and competition from international artists on streaming services.
The 2024/2025 Sound NSW grants includes two new funds specifically designed to boost First Nations artists, and a new industry development fund that backs organisations crucial to building skills, networks and new collaborations.
There is also a significant support for regional music with 29% of the Contemporary Music Development Grants and 30% of the Touring and Travel Fund going to regional recipients.
The funding is spread across three key programs:
- Contemporary Music Development Grants: $4.2 million to support 71 artists and organisations to record new music, collaborate and deliver professional development programs.
- Recording, Content and Promotion: $641,233 for 25 artists and acts to create, record and promote new music, including DMAs, Hermitude, Middle Kids, The Rubens, MAY-A and Jack River.
- First Nations Creative and Professional Development (new fund): $575,313 for 21 First Nations artists and acts to create, record and promote new music, including Dan Sultan, BARKAA, Becca Hatch, 3%, Nooky, Mi-kaisha, Kobie Dee for recording new music.
- First Nations Industry Development (new fund): $600,000 for 4 First Nations-led organisations to deliver sector development projects for First Nations communities, including Mad Proppa Deadly Indigenous Corporation for regional artists development, We Are Warriors Creative Workshops and Awesome Black Studio.
- Industry Development (new fund): $2.4 million for 21 organisations to deliver sector development projects, including FBi Radio for creative and presenter development and Accessible Arts to coordinate a songwriting program for disabled artists.
- Touring and Travel Fund: $1.8 million to provide critical support for 144 artists and industry professionals including Hayden James for a US tour, SPEED performing at Coachella, total tommy for their debut UK/EU tour, Sarah Blasko for a UK/EU tour, Kita Alexander for a national support tour with Dua Lipa.
- Strategic Funding program: $3.25 million to support the delivery of 10 key initiatives that will provide significant outcomes for the NSW music industry including an Australian Women in Music regional delegates program, APRA regional and songwriting workshops and the Australian Festivals Association for a best practice festival safety guide.
Delivering this $9.3 million of support is the latest action from the NSW Government's 10-year Contemporary Music Strategy. Since coming to office in 2023 the government has been working hard to repair the damage caused by the former Liberal government's lockout policy and overregulation of live music venues and music festivals. So far the work has included:
- Creating the $80,000 NSW Music Prize, Australia's largest cash music prize.
- Introducing 'Michael's Rule' incentives for international touring artists to book local supports.
- Establishing the Contemporary Music Festival Viability Fund in September 2024 which has allocated a combined $2.25 million of emergency funding to five festivals.
- Delivering recording, touring and promotion grants to help artists and bands create new work, grow audiences and build their careers.
- Introducing Venue Upgrade grants for operators to install sound proofing and get their venues gig ready.
- Offering extended trading hours and an 80% discount on licensing fees for venues that program live music which has tripled the number of venues receiving these incentives.
- Reforming the noise complaints system so single serial noise complainants can no longer shut down existing live music venues.
- Rolling out Special Entertainment Precincts that future proof entertainment districts.
- Establishing Sound NSW, the state's first ever government backed contemporary music agency.
Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham said:
"You actually can't overstate it - if we don't support our local artists, they will struggle to survive the onslaught of American music on the streaming platforms.
"If we want to keep our home-grown sound and have music reflects who we are, we have to back our artists to make music and take it on the road, not just here but overseas where they can find new audiences.
"After some challenging years, we're working to build the NSW music industry one band, one venue, one tour at a time."
"This year's grants put particular focus on First Nations music, regional artists and some of the crucial organisations that foster talent and industry development. For this industry to grow, we have to support the ecosystem and that's what these grants do."
Head of Sound NSW, Emily Collins said:
"We know that NSW is absolutely brimming with talent, and these targeted funding initiatives focus on enabling the artists and music industry organisations innovate, develop and create.
"From regional tours and international collaborations to strategic initiatives that will drive change, these programs are an investment in the sustainability and long-term success of NSW music.
"The funding outcomes show the depth and breadth of the state's creative potential - we're seeing powerful new voices, bold ideas and collaborative projects come to life thanks to this funding.
"Sound NSW is proud to support projects that aren't just about performance, but about self-determination and storytelling, and growing the next generation of artists and leaders.
