Celebrate local music, creativity and community connection with Townsville City Council's new Live and Local program.
The program has been designed to develop and support Townsville's local live music ecosystem through industry forums, workshops and live performances and is delivered with assistance by the Australian Government through Music Australia, in partnership with The Live Music Office, APRA AMCOS, QMusic and with the support of Flinders Lane.
Townsville Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said Live and Local was a chance for musicians, venues and policymakers to come together to deliver strong outcomes for arts in regional Australia.
"We're very proud to have shaped Townsville into the arts and culture capital of Northern Australia, and as a Council we want to further that reputation through meaningful connections and partnerships," Cr Greaney said.
"The Live and Local program is an opportunity for musicians to gain industry support through professional development workshops and to connect with venues to access paid performance opportunities.
"Venues who tap into the Live and Local program will be able to host live music to help attract more customers and receive expert guidance on best practice for hosting musicians.
"Importantly, this is also a chance for people like our councillors and our State and Federal Government counterparts to help shape a thriving and sustainable live music ecosystem right here in Townsville.
"More than 30 councils across Australia participate in Live and Local, and we're very excited to be joining their ranks. This spells good news for Townsville's economy, with the Live and Local program set to sustainably boost activity across the arts sector."
Queensland Government Night-Life Economy Commissioner John "JC" Collins AM said it was vital to support the arts in regional Australia.
"Live music is not just entertainment – it is a cornerstone of social cohesion and supporting local artists is essential for building our future talent pipeline," Mr Collins said.
"As the industry changes globally, regional centres will become increasingly important to fostering talent and attracting opportunities. Townsville is a fitting world-class stage for this."
The Live and Local Industry Forum will run on 4 June 2025 and is open to musicians, venue owners, event managers and live music supporters.
The forum will involve discussions on the future of live music in Townsville, with outcomes helping inform Council's long-term live music strategy.
The QMusic Industry Connect Professional Development Workshop and Showcase will be held on June 6 at Flinders Lane and will offer real-world insights on booking gigs, marketing and touring, as well as a showcase of Townsville musicians and a networking session with industry professionals.
