Catch up on all the latest news in the Australian Music Industry!
INDIES JUMP TO 46.7% SHARE, REVENUES $14.3B
Indie labels and self-releasing artists jumped to 46.7% of the global recorded-music market in 2023 with revenues of US$14.3 billion, according to UK-based Midia Research.
This is based on an ownership basis, with a break-down showing indie labels with a 40.8% share and artist-direct distributors such as Ditto Music and TuneCore having a 5.9% share.
The Midia report adds that non-majors share on a distribution basis was 34.2%.
Distributed
“Non-major revenue distributed by the majors was $3.8 billion in 2023,” wrote MD Mark Mulligan.
The report also suggests that less than half a percent of the nearly 13,000 labels in the independent sector generate a third of the revenues.
“The big difference is the health of the long tail,” wrote Mulligan.
Long Tail
“In streaming, the long tail of artists account for less than 5% of revenues. But non-major labels with $1 million annual revenue account for a similar share of revenue as the biggest labels.”
It’s a different story in the United States where indie labels and distributors have a 15.7% share.
Major labels have an 84.3% distribution share because they own music distributors as Virgin Music Group (Universal Music Group), The Orchard (Sony Music), AWAL (Sony Music) and ADA (Warner Music Group).
Major Issues
Nevertheless, the majors face an issue in the US market. It’s growth has slowed down to single digits: 7.2% in 2023 and 5% in 2022.
In contrast emerging recorded-music markets are flying. Last year Brazil grew 18.7%, India by 15% to become the 14th largest music market, Mexico by 18% and China up 10.75% to become the fifth largest in the world (and second in Asia behind Japan).
Which is why majors are heavily buying or investing into labels in these markets as well as Africa and the Middle East.
Streaming & Social Media
Mulligan explains that indies have blossomed because of streaming and social media.
It has created a global music market which is
“more diverse, fragmented, international, and regional than it has ever been.
“It has resulted in a market that is characterized by both fragmentation and consolidation.
Opposing Forces
“These opposing forces are shaping today’s market and will do so in the coming years.
“The global music market is worth +30 billion dollars in 2024 and is expected to grow to be worth +45 billion in the next five years.
“In such a vast environment, independent music was once relegated to the fringes of the industry but is now making significant inroads into mainstream success.”
Spotify Pays
Spotify, for instance, reported that it paid out a record $4.5 billion to independent labels and publishers in 2023 alone.
In 2023, indie music made up 26% of Spotify streams, a stark contrast of 13% in 2017.
SUNSHINE COAST GETS OWN AWARDS
The Sunshine Coast is getting its own awards next winter, to lift the profile of the local industry.
Sunshine Coast Music Industry Collective
It is put together by the new Sunshine Coast Music Industry Collective, which holds its first AGM in January, calling on folks to get involved.
Its chair is Melissa O’Bryan, Entertainment Manager at Solbar, where the awards were announced.
Mates Brewing
The awards, held June 1 at Your Mates Brewing, in Warana, will recognise musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers, venues, studios, record stores, event organisers, photographers, sound engineers and others.
The University of the Sunshine Coast found in a 2022 study that one in 41 residents identify as musicians, meaning the Sunshine Coast has “one of the highest densities of working musicians in any region in Australia”.
ROAD NUMBERS # 1: CHISEL’S 50TH DRAWS 225K
Cold Chisel’s 24 Australian shows on the Big Five-0 tour (one as Barking Spiders in Thirroul) drew 225,000 and stunning reviews.
With a touring party of 50, six of the shows were in the 10,000-capacity circus top, seven were in arenas and ten were outdoor shows.
Of their three most recent tours, their biggest was Light The Nitro (2011) which attracted a total audience of 325,000.
Longer Weeks
But LTN had 36 shows over a longer 10 week period, and their first in almost 30 years. It also visited places like Darwin and North Queensland which the band didn’t make it to in 2024.
A band spokesperson confirmed to Mixdown, “The numbers in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth this time all outstripped LTN.”
The third largest recent tour was Blood Moon (2020) which had 175,000 in Australia and NZ).
New Zealand
The Big Five-0 tour has three New Zealand shows to go in January, as part of Greenstone Entertainment’s 2025 Summer Concert Tour which also includes Icehouse and Big Runga.
This year it reached sell-outs in Queenstown (13,000), Taupo (17,500) and Whitianga (12,000).
So given the 2025 tour also looks like reaching capacity, it could be argued that over this summer, Cold Chisel played to a total 267,500.
ROAD NUMBERS #2: TAYLOR SWIFT HITS $2B
With Taylor Swift’s two year Eras world tour winding up on the weekend (Sunday Dec 8), the gross was estimated to be US$2 billion – the biggest grossing tour of all time.
It became the first to reach $1 billion at the end of 2023, putting Tay Tay into the Guinness World Records.
Eras played 149 shows across five continents, 21 countries and 10.1 million seats.
Seven Shows
In Australia, the seven shows in Melbourne and Sydney unofficially drew 640,000 (promoter Frontier Touring declines to give figures).
On the weekend, Phillip Heads, boss of Venues NSW, confirmed to A Current Affair that the shows at the 82,000-capacity Accor Stadium in Sydney drew 334,000.
Pressure
One of the Melbourne shows at the MCG was to 96,000, the biggest crowd of her career to date.
There was a lot of pressure for Taylor to add a date or two, but she refused.
She explained she’d promised her crew a few days rest on a Queensland resort and kept her word – something which won her respect.
ROAD NUMBERS # 3: P!NK SECOND HIGHEST GROSSING FEMALE TOUR ACT
The final tally of P!nk’s Summer Carnival Tour 2023 + 2024 is a gross of nearly US$700 million. That makes it the second highest-grossing run of all time from a female artist after Taylor Swift.
According to promoter Live Nation, the two-year run moved over five million tickets across 130 stadium and arena dates in 15 countries.
Euro/UK
The EU/UK leg brought in over one million fans and grossed over $125 million. North America provided 1.75 million fans.
The Australia/New Zealand leg brought in over one million fans across 20 stadium dates. And with over three million tickets sold in Australia throughout her career across six tours, P!nk’s now the country’s highest-selling artist.
ROAD NUMBERS # 4: TRAVIS SCOTT DOWN UNDER
A report in Pollstar showed that Travis Scott made a packet when he was in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) in October.
His grosses from ANZ reached US$32.2 million for an average of $5.37 million per concert.
Sydney
In Sydney, it was 78,572 on Oct. 17 and 18 at Allianz Stadium it was a total of 78,572.
The second show (18) had 41,814 which set a new all-time attendance record for a concert headliner at the stadium.
The two sell-outs at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, Oct. 22-23 was attended by
111,247 fans and grossed $12.6 million.
Brisbane
The Brisbane Suncorp Stadium show (Oct. 26) grossed $6.1 million from a crowd of 47,723 after which he sashayed over to Auckland to 41,120 at Eden Park grossing $3.1 million.
During its entire run, the Circus Maximus Tour ker-chinged a $200 million gross at the box-office from 1.65 million tickets at 76 concerts.
TWO GOOD DESIGN WINS FOR LOADIN.COM
Australian-built music industry platform loadin. Com had two Australian Good Design wins.
One was Gold in the Digital App and Software category in recognition of their innovative and collaborative approach to festival advancing.
It also got a gong for Service Design, in the way it simplifies processes and delivers a smoother, more efficient experience for everyone involved in the lead-up to show day.
Streamlined
Co-founded by production name Haydn Johnston and web industry veteran Alan James (with Kat Coppins as GM), loadin replaced time-consuming emails, spreadsheets and logistical confusion with a streamlined, centralised platform.
Clients included Laneway, Good Things, CMC Rocks, Ridin’ Hearts, Wildlands, Beyond The Valley, Ability, Mardi Gras, Sounds Australia, Ministry of Sound, and SXSW Sydney.
It’s gaining momentum globally with the UK’s Reading and Leeds, Big Weekend, Latitude, Isle of Wight and Electric Picnic, NZ’s WOMAD and Rhythm & Vines and AEG’s Re:SET in the US.
MUSICAL CHAIRS
Warner’s Dan Rosen Winds Role
Warner Music Australia and NZ president Dan Rosen will also take on the role of head of Warner Chappell as company unites the
leadership of recorded music and publishing businesses in the two countries.
Scott Mesiti Joins Destroy All Lines
Tour and festival promoter Destroy All Lines added Scott Mesiti as a Promoter. He was most recently co-founder of MJR Presents, staying with the company when TEG bought it.
Destroy All Lines was recently ranked in Pollstar as Australia’s fourth largest concert promoter and the largest independent promoter selling over 700,000 tickets in the 12 months.
Mary Bainbridge Steps Back At Frontier
After 50 years at Frontier Touring, mostly as the no-nonsense efficient right hand person for Michael Gudinski, Mary Bainbridge was at the centre of the company’s international tours.
Most recently Senior Ticketing and Marketing Lead and mentor to staff, Bainbridge steps down full time this year but remains a consultant.
Warhurst, Creasey, Out At Eurovision
SBS announced Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey will not return to host Eurovision in 2025 after eight years, and that a “dynamic new host team” will be revealed soon.
Eric Lassen At LPA
Eric Lassen is new CEO of Live Performance Australia, replacing Evelyn Richardson who had the role for 18 years.
He was CEO of PayPal Australia and Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for Live Nation Entertainment.
Rolling In The Stone
As part of changes at Brag Media, Rolling Stone Australia’s new Editor in Chief is Neil Griffiths.
He hosted entertainment podcast The Plug, was Head of Online News and Content at themusic.com.au and most recently Managing Editor at Mumbrella since October 2023.
Conor Lochrie is promoted to Deputy Editor and Jack Castles to Head of NSW Partnerships.
New Managing Director For 2SER
The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and Macquarie University appointed Cheryl Northey to community radio station 2SER as Managing Director.
Her radio roles included the Community Broadcasting Australia Association, the Australian Music Radio Airplay Project, and the Community Broadcasting Foundation.
Kirsty Rivers GM At VMDO
Kirsty Rivers is new General Manager at the Victorian Music Development Office, which she helped set up in 2018 as Senior Manager for Contemporary Music at Creative Victoria
She went on to be an effective arts administrator as Head of Music at Creative Australia, and more recently Director of Industry Development at the communications agency Sound Story.
APRA, AMCOS Boards
On the APRA board, writer director Burkhard Dallwitz was re-elected, along with publisher directors Heath Johns, Linda Bosidis and Simon Moor.
Jenny Morris was returned as APRA Chair and Damian Trotter as Deputy Chair.
Amanda Brown stepped down as a writer director this year and successfully sought election as a director of the AMCOS Board.
Screen composer Caitlin Yeo was elected as the new writer director to the APRA board.
AMCOS directors
On the AMCOS board, directors Craig Monagle, Jaime Gough, Jane English and Linda Bosidis were re-elected. Jaime Gough was returned as Chair and Clive Hodson as Deputy Chair.
Peter Hebbes AM left the AMCOS board this year after three decades, following his retirement from the industry after 50 years.
HONORING #1: ARCHIE & RUBY STATUES
Bronze statues of Archie Roach AC AM and Ruby Hunter were unveiled in Fitzroy’s Atherton Gardens, the site chosen for its significance to the Stolen Generation.
Funded by the Labor state government, they were created by artist Darien Pullen, are set in a newly landscaped space designed by architect Jefa Greenaway and landscape architect Paul Herzich.
The unveiling saw Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Natalie Hutchins join members of the artists’ family, reps from the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and Yarra City Council.
Family
Aunty Myrtle Roach explained, “Atherton Gardens will always be a place for me and my family.
“Fond and treasured memories of a bygone era for the ole parkies like myself. It’s only fitting my brother’s statue and dear Ruby find its permanent place there for all my people and the community to share.”
HONOURING #2: ANGELS GET LANEWAY
The Angels are the latest Adelaide-born act to get their own laneway, following Sia Furler, Cold Chisel, Paul Kelly and No Fixed Address.
The Angels Lane will be a private lane between Rosina Street and Morphett Street in the west end, behind TAFE SA’s Currie Street campus.
The announcement was not without controversy: the photo used by Adelaide Council was that of the current band.
“Three people who weren’t born when the classic music was produced and only two people actually born in SA,” early drummer Buzz Bidstrup complained.
Discourtesy
Angered by this discourtesy to late members Doc Neeson and Chris Bailey, Bidstrup fired off emails to the Lord Mayor and rectified it.
The next laneway goes to Ruby Hunter & Archie Roach and a SA band yet to be announced.
14.3M PLAYER FORTNITE CONCERT
Fortnite’s Nov. 30 virtual Remix: The Finale concert set a new attendance record, drawing over 14.3 million concurrent players.
The previous record of 12.3 million concurrent players was for a Travis Scott concert in 2020.
Performing were Snoop Dogg, Eminem and Ice Spice, and a posthumous tribute to Juice WRLD, with 3 million fans streaming in.
TRIFFID PROTESTS TOWER BUILDING
Brisbane’s Triffid has taken to the Planning and Environment Court to get a $1.5 billion Italian-themed tower development stopped or amended in nearby Newstead.
The music venue says that the development, approved in October by Brisbane City Council, will leave it vulnerable to noise complaints.
APRA AMCOS REGIONAL SESSIONS
APRA AMCOS and Sound NSW are taking connection and songwriting panels/ workshops to five NSW regional cities in summer.
Speakers already confirmed include Becca Hatch, Ben Lee, Dallas Frasca, Darren Middleton (Powderfinger), Dobby, Jem Cassar-Daley, L-FRESH the LION, KLP and Mo’Ju.
Dates
Tuesday 18 February – Lismore
Thursday 20 February – Bellingen
Saturday 22 February – Newcastle
Tuesday 25 February – Orange
Thursday 27 February – Albury
For further information and tickets, visit apraamcos.com.au/regionalsessionsnsw
TUNED GLOBAL OFFERS SOCIAL RADIO
Australian tech platform Tuned Global, which has stuck to its name by striking scores of global partnerships, is offering a new Social Radio experience which turns listeners into creators.
“By integrating real-time social features within a radio experience, Social Radio is redefining how audiences discover and enjoy music, building a more interactive and community-driven listening environment,” it says.
Social Radio lets creators — whether listeners, artists or radio DJs — tap into an interactive experience, drawing on a business’ music catalogue.
AutomixIQ
Tuned Global uses its AutomixIQ technology to seamlessly transition from track to track.
The creator can then weave voice commentary and sound effects into their curated mix, and listeners can react with comments and emojis.
“We see the future of Social Radio as an extension of an existing music service or radio station,” explains Con Raso, Tuned Global’s Managing Director.
Stand Alone
“Stand-alone approaches like Clubhouse demonstrated the opportunity but have proven tricky to sustain, as it’s really about the content, being the consistent stream of quality audio.
“Social audio is best suited to existing music apps where the audience is already listening to music and podcasts and radio operators who want to differentiate their digital product and boost user engagement. “
STORM IN A TEES CUP
Support Act is set to announce how much its Nov. 28 Ausmusic T-Shirt Day raised.
But it should be more significant this year, with further boosts from the industry.
AAMI, back a second year, agreed to match funds of up to $40,000. TikTok jumped on this year, matching donations to a total of $10,000.
CREWCARE TAKES ON ANTI-BULLYING
CrewCare, one of the two associations devoted to road crews, is tackling negative attitudes and unsafe spaces bullying and harassment create.
Its At NO Stage campaign raises awareness about harmful effects bullying and harassment has on people, and to suggest ways how the live music performance community can help tackle.
Support
CrewCare is working with Support Act to ensure that their free online Active Bystander Training workshop is available to all crew and other music workers.
The two associations are also providing Crew Welfare Officers and Mental Health Professionals at major shows, tours and festivals, having successfully delivered this service at tours by Niall Horan, The Weeknd, Travis Scott, Stray Kids and Coldplay.
JET BLACK CAT CLOSES
Brisbane’s Jet Black Cat Music is closing its bricks and mortar store in West End on Dec. 28 after 14 years, the Brisbane Times reported.
It will shift operations to its online store, said its founder Shannon Logan.
Escapism
Logan moved from North Queensland to be a professional tennis player, but that stopped after a car accident, and she moved into music.
“I’ve always wanted the store to be a little bubble that someone can go into … and have some really healthy escapism,” she told the Brisbane Times.
FESTIVALS CANCEL
The long spiteful tail of COVID still affects festivals.
On the weekend, Central Northern Territory’s Wide Open Space cancelled its 2025 return just before tickets went on sale, after doing the sums and realising that going ahead after getting only half of the budgeted grant funding was too risky.
You & Me
The inaugural You & Me Festival to stage over New Years in Bunbury, WA, cancelled with founder Bailey Chalmers blaming poor ticket sales, high insurance costs and a major headliner pulling out.
It was set to fill the vacuum left in Bunbury after Groovin’ The Moo (which drew 17,500 there at its peak) went dark.
VALE
Michael Edward Ahearne, sound engineer (and briefly manager of late singer Broderick Smith) passed away in Tasmania in a house fire.
Ross Ryan ran the Hotel Steyne in Manly, Sydney, until August 2006 and turned it into a real music and community hub.
Reg Dew, king of the Australian riggers who helped pioneer outdoor stages, co-founded Tri-Point, did three worldwide tours with Pink Floyd and on those by David Bowie and Madonna, and on events as the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Oils
Grant Pudig, 61, ex-member of Midnight Oil’s crew, died in a Sydney hospital after suffering significant burns while on a boat.
Colin Petersen was drummer with the original Bee Gees and a child actor in movie Smiley.
Bernie Peri, 75, an Elvis Presley impersonator in Parkes NSW, was allegedly murdered hours after a karaoke night at his local pub, police allege.
