State of Play report, MPEG winners, honours, census, seven farewells and more.
Five takeaways from ALMBC’s State of Play
The Australian Live Music Business Council (ALMBC) held its latest State of Play – National Live Music Industry Forum in Hobart (hosted by Music Tasmania). Here are five takeaways:
(1) Good news for venues and festivals is that an insurance underwriter focused on small to medium-sized companies is returning to these shores. This extra competition could bring down rates.
The ALMBC and Andrew Bassingthwaighte, head of Xcelera, are working with the Insurance Council of Australia to get better outcomes for the music industry and prove it is mature and takes risks seriously.
(2) Stephen Wray of the Office of the Arts confirmed the Federal Government’s RISE funding will return in 2026.
(3) Green Music Australia is compiling a registry of “green” venues for touring acts. Its chief Berish Bilander said venues that spend on greening up save $10,000 a year.
He added that the growing climate crisis, as evidenced by flooding and bushfires this summer, caused a greater headache for festivals — not only bringing insurance and electricity fees up, but also audiences buying tickets later just in case.
(4) The results of Creative Workplaces’ national survey into working conditions in the creative industries will be released in mid-2026. It’s the first of its kind in Australia, and will cover workplace issues including pay and working conditions, safety at work, bullying, discrimination and harassment.
The survey closed last week, and results will inform policies, guidance and training initiatives, said the organisation’s Patrick McCarthy.
(5) The session also looked specifically at problems facing Tasmania’s live scene.
Catch up on all the latest news here.
Grace Chia, hip hop artist and promoter, said there is little support for hip hop outside Hobart, although there are fans around the island, and some journey to Melbourne for gigs. She recounted how a mother drove three hours from Launceston, so her 16-year-old daughters could perform two songs.
Jazz musician Jon Smeathers, who puts on monthly hyper-pop events “focused on experimental dance, stretches new barriers of thinking about new sound,” started out finding artists and audiences by listening to every SoundCloud file tagged Tasmania (there were 6,000 accounts), and brings in acts from Southeast Asia and Africa. Collaborations with Asian musicians have begun.
Hobart booker Kimberley Galceran declared, “Talent in Hobart is massive.” Given the small population, getting local acts mainland attention includes showcases at events like BIGSOUND and exchanging gigs with interstate acts.
Ange Boxall of Echo Festival focuses on supporting Tasmanian acts but faces funding issues. “It’s getting worse. Back of COVID, there was relief funding. Funding has now completely dropped off, which is why so many festivals have crumbled.”
Melbourne has most venues — how to keep it that way
A new audit commissioned by Music Victoria has found that Melbourne has the most live music venues in the country. In its report, the association also offered six recommendations to the Victorian Government on keeping it that way.
There are 2,441 live music venues across Victoria — significantly, 45% (or 1,109 venues) are in regional areas, 40% (964) in metropolitan Melbourne and 15% (368) in outer metropolitan. On a weekly basis, 655 hold at least one or more gigs, a drop from 813 in 2019.
Live gigs are of substantial economic value. Each requires about 29 roles involving 43 people, and more than 140 hours of work. Read the full report here.
Music Victoria also had some recommendations for the State Government to keep gigs thriving.
These included working with the industry to identify which are real music venues so support goes to the right places, investing more in the sector, investing in training and skills, ensuring current rules are not harmful for venues, and ensuring long-term research like this continues.
Music Victoria also urged exploration of support for “alternative business models, shared-use spaces, and new funding mechanisms to strengthen the long-term viability of venues.”
Alice Ivy, Ninajirachi win at MPEG Awards
Alice Ivy took Producer of the Year at the Music Producers and Engineers’ Guild of Australia (MPEG) Awards, while Ninajirachi won two.
Presented by Shure, the awards celebrate achievement in production, engineering and studio practice. The 2026 ceremony took place on Wednesday, 25 February at The Darling Rooms Dockside, Cockle Bay Wharf, Sydney, hosted by Ron Haryanto, co-founder of Mentor Academy and long-time advocate for local producers and engineers.
Full list of winners:
- Producer of the Year: Alice Ivy
- Breakthrough Producer of the Year: Ninajirachi
- Writer-Producer of the Year: Lucy Blomkamp
- Recording Engineer of the Year: Simon Cohen
- Mix Engineer of the Year: Thomas Purcell a.k.a. Wave Racer
- Mastering Engineer of the Year: Joe Carra
- Studio of the Year: 4000 Studios
- Self-Producing Artist of the Year: Ninajirachi
- Overseas Achievement: Keanu Beats
- Outstanding Community Work: Music Producers Development Program
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Mike Chapman OAM
INXS fans push for Rock Hall induction
INXS fan clubs wasted no time urging their members to vote for INXS to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in the US after the legendary band was announced as a nominee.
“Let’s get MOVING! VOTE VOTE VOTE,” said one, guiding them here.
Andrew Farriss told Billboard that Michael Hutchence would have been thrilled at the nomination. “I think everybody in the band is thrilled and excited to be nominated, and obviously, we’re very much honoured to have something like that.
“It’s something, I guess, that goes into the history books, whatever they are. I never started writing songs and playing music to be in a hall of fame — that’s not why I started doing it — but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate it.”
INXS’s long-time manager and mentor Chris Murphy OAM’s daughter Stevey Arena took to social media to post: “There are no words big enough to capture what this means – not just for the music but for the years of grit, belief, reinvention and relentless dedication behind the scenes.
“If INXS has ever been part of your story – a first kiss, a road trip, a dance floor, a heartbreak – a memory you can’t quite shake – this is your moment to stand behind them.”
She cited her late father for his dedicated support: “He knew they weren’t just a band – they were part of a soundtrack of a generation and generations to come.”
If INXS enter the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, they will be the third act, alongside AC/DC and the Bee Gees, to also be in the ARIA Hall of Fame.
Other Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees with Australian links are Flea of Red Hot Chilli Peppers (born in Melbourne) and Steve Smith from Journey (born in Sydney).
Mark Stoermer of The Killers (US born but holds dual Australian/US citizenship, as his physician father was Australian-German) and Sam Farrar of Maroon 5 (US born but both parents Australian — his father was in Melbourne band The Strangers in the 1960s) also have Australian connections.
Manager Melita Hodge gets honoured
In the run-up to the Association of Artist Managers’ White Sky AAM Awards in late April, it was revealed that Melita Hodge, founder and co-owner of Six Boroughs, is receiving the Legacy Award.
Previous recipients included John Watson (Cold Chisel, Missy Higgins, Midnight Oil), Jodie Regan (Tame Impala, Pond, Haiku Hands), Michael McMartin (Hoodoo Gurus) and Correne Wilkie (The Cat Empire). Wilkie continues to give back by funding the Legacy trophy.
Hodge guides Kasey Chambers, Andy Golledge and Denvah, and in partnership with Andy Bryan’s SBM roster, also manages Ball Park Music, Boy Soda, North East Party House and Ruby Jackson. She also manages chefs, authors and television personalities Adam Liaw and Analiese Gregory.
Responding to the award, Hodge said: “Managing people in the creative landscape for over 25 years has afforded me extraordinary experiences, opportunities and relationships. This business, for me, is about trust and partnership and a driving desire to see artists achieve their creative goals.”
Turramurra Music lands international award
Family-owned Sydney music store of 50 years, Turramurra Music, landed itself prestigious international recognition at the NAMM Awards in the US, winning Best Community Retailer out of a finalist list of 100.
“It’s far more important to win a lifelong customer than just sell one item,” Mat Stevens outlined the store’s philosophy to Mixdown a few years back. “We train our staff to genuinely look after people, whether or not they’re buying something.”
Renovations gave the store 871.46m² of space, allowing 700 guitars with 327 on the floor to try out, and 800 guitar pedals with 450 unique pedals. Its extensive repair and servicing department includes brass and woodwind specialists, guitar technicians and electronics experts — increasingly rare in larger chain retailers.
Customers have included INXS, Midnight Oil, The Wiggles, The Radiators and Gordi. Future members of Icehouse met at the store. The Oils’ Jim Moginie and Martin Rotsey taught guitar there. The Angels played at their 30th anniversary party.
Community radio census
The community radio sector is urging volunteers and workers to enter its census, to build a picture of why these 18,000 people work at community radio, capture their diversity, and advocate for stations with Government — including a push for a $27 million increase in funding. Head here.
End of road for Solbar, Gerties
After decades of supporting emerging acts, both The Solbar on the Sunshine Coast and Gerties in Brisbane called time over the weekend – the latest venues around the country to be hit.
The Solbar opened in Coolum in 2001 before moving to Ocean Street in Maroochydore. It won Best Regional Venue in Queensland at the Queensland Music Awards three times.
Raul Chocop, owner of Gerties, hosted the last drinks at its New Farm site as announced. He’s since started a crowdfunding campaign, which might see the 32-year-old venue re-emerge elsewhere.
Spotify donates $200k to The Push
A three-year partnership worth $200,000 was struck between Spotify and Victorian youth music organisation The Push. It will directly support The Push’s new ten-year strategy, A National Plan for Young Australians and Music.
It’s a roadmap that sets out actions for government, industry and communities to ensure every young person, regardless of postcode, income or identity, can participate and thrive in Australian music.
The three-year partnership will also deliver:
- Access, education and real-world pathways into live music and the broader industry
- Mental health, wellbeing and safe cultural spaces, positioning music as “a protective and connective force for young people”
- Equity, representation and inclusion, particularly for underrepresented communities
Kate Duncan, CEO of The Push, said: “As we enter our 40th year, this partnership strengthens our ability to remove barriers and expand real-world opportunities, ensuring young people aren’t locked out of Australia’s music future, but elevated to help shape it.”
RTRFM calls for members of Disability Inclusion Advisory Group
Perth community radio RTRFM’s Disability Inclusion Advisory Group is seeking expressions of interest for membership in 2026. They’re looking for people passionate about local music, with a good understanding of barriers and issues impacting people with disability, the ability to participate in group discussions, and who can commit to attending every meeting. Apply here.
Good works #1: Harcourt bushfire benefit
Musicians have teamed up for a benefit concert for victims of the January Harcourt bushfires. The town in regional Victoria lost 60 houses, as well as Mat Underwood’s Studio U, which many of the acts donating their time had recorded at.
The benefit originated with Chris George from Melbourne prog-rockers Souls of Ambience. He reached out to ex-Men at Work drummer Jerry Speiser, who lives locally. Speiser will MC and play with his band Questionable Gentlemen.
Horizon, featuring guitarist Brett Garsed and drummer Angus Burchall — both former long-standing members of John Farnham’s band — was invited through their label Pop Preservation Society, along with composer Lee Bradshaw.
The benefit is on Sunday, 15 March (doors open 2pm) at the Golden Vine Hotel in Bendigo. Tickets here.
Good works #2: Gaza gathering raises $330k
Over 5,000 people attended A Gathering for Gaza at PICA in Melbourne, raising $330,000 for the organisations Olive Kids, PANZMA, PARA and Médecins Sans Frontières Australia (Doctors Without Borders).
Organisers said funds go “to support their critical ongoing work on the ground in Gaza amidst an ongoing genocide, providing essential services like medical aid, food and education, as well as supporting new arrivals from Palestine.”
Artists included Miss Kaninna, The Belair Lip Bombs, Tarab Ensemble and Folk Bitch Trio, DJ sets from Cut Copy, Harvey Sutherland and Adriana, a pre-recorded techno-with-Arabic-instrumentation set from Moktar, and Mo Chara from Belfast trio Kneecap joining via video. In between were speeches from Palestinian, Jewish and global human rights-focused charity organisations, community groups and activists.
Donations were pooled from net profits from ticket sales, event merchandise – including ‘Let The Bulbul Sing’ t-shirts designed by Safa El Samad – and bar sales on the day. Oztix donated booking fees, RRR and PBS aired pro bono radio carts, Plakkit and Rock Posters ran discounted poster runs, Super Duper provided pro bono event publicity, The Last Supper lent gear, and Bodriggy donated drinks for artist catering.
Good works #3: Hilltop Hoods auction
On their current national tour, Hilltop Hoods have been auctioning merch from their private collections to raise money for children’s cancer charity Lion Hearts Learning. It wraps up on Sunday evening, 22 March.
Items included their 2008 BDO Banner, DJ Debris’ signed Rane DJ mixer 2000–2018 (featured in the “Cosby Sweater” film clip), Suffa’s The Great Expanse platinum plaque, signed box sets, signed vinyl bundles, and signed clothing and shoe collabs with DC, Zoo York, G-Shock and more. Go to lionheartslearning.com/hthauction.
Audiobooks for huff, puff, workouts
Aussies work out to Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger”, The White Stripes’ “Fell In Love With a Girl”, Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” and The Ramones’ “Do You Wanna Dance?”
New data from Audible Australia shows we’re switching to audiobooks, with 47% using them in the morning to set the mood for the day and 26% saying they help prepare for a stressful day. Another 47% say time passes faster, 36% say they stay more motivated and 35% say runs feel easier.
Call to government #1: Live Performance Australia
Live Performance Australia, the peak body for the live arts and entertainment industry, has written to the Federal Government to include several initiatives in the upcoming Budget.
Key proposals include:
- Introduce a Live Performance Production Incentive for commercial and not-for-profit producers to attract investment and incentivise new productions
- Build financial sustainability, including through a fund to rebuild reserves and accelerate new business models
- Extend Public Benevolent Institutions (PBI) status to a broader range of arts and cultural institutions
- Implement nationwide skills and training initiatives to address skills shortages
- Encourage private donations to arts and cultural organisations with greater rates of tax deduction
- Engage the next generation of audiences through a cultural pass program and investment in arts programs for schools
- Boost investment in regional and international touring programs to take Australian creative talent to more audiences at home and overseas
- Upgrade performing arts infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of audiences and hirers
- Support presenters and producers to showcase more works relevant to their local communities
Live performance in Australia generated more than $3 billion in ticket revenue in 2024, with 31.4 million ticketed attendances across contemporary music, theatre, ballet and dance, opera, classical music, children’s and family entertainment and arts and music festivals.
Call to government #2: Music SA
With the South Australian election in late March, Music SA has asked whoever takes power to commit to Play It LOUD — a $12 million investment over four years to strengthen and future-proof the contemporary music sector. It focuses on:
- Artist and industry grants
- First Nations industry development
- Regional industry development
- Sector-wide professional and business development
- Audience growth for local original music
- Career pathways for young people
To address larger challenges in the sector and upskill artists’ music business acumen, Music SA suggests a new annual industry conference, which would be funded as part of the $700,000 allocated to industry sector development in the pitch. It would cover topics not included in Indie-Con, also held in Adelaide, which has a more national focus from indie labels.
Music SA noted: “This targeted investment will increase employment, strengthen venues and festivals, expand national and international pathways, and deliver on South Australia’s 10-year cultural policy, A Place to Create.”
SA’s music industry contributes $490 million to Gross State Product and supports more than 9,200 jobs annually.
Vale — those we lost in the last five weeks
Mark Kennedy — Melbourne-born Kennedy was a classically trained pianist who found his true calling behind the drum kit, making his mark from his mid-teens in the late ’60s across a remarkable range of bands including Spectrum, Doug Parkinson In Focus, Leo de Castro’s Friends, Kings Harvest, Ayers Rock, Marcia Hines and Men at Work, before spending 21 cherished years with Leo Sayer.
He was known for his technique as much as for his warmth and humanity. Sayer said: “He was one of the best I ever worked with – as good technically and feel-wise as any of the guys I recorded or performed with.” Kennedy played his final gig at Meredith Music Festival in December 2024 alongside Sayer’s band. He was 74.
Graham Morgan — Morgan was one of Australia’s most celebrated and sought-after session drummers. For 20 years, he was the heartbeat behind The Don Lane Show, The Young Talent Time band, The Ernie Sigley Show and Showcase, and lent his talents to countless backing tracks and jingles for studios including Bill Armstrong Studios and Allan Eaton Studios.
Linda Airey — UK-born Airey brought boundless energy and passion to everything she touched. After working with acts such as Genesis in London, she made Australia home, running the South Australian office for Virgin Records Australia from 1984 to 1986. Moira Bennett, who set up the office, remembered her fondly for her “feisty determination, good humour, not to mention her fierce love of dogs.”
Among her many memorable moments was organising a petition to get Culture Club to include Adelaide on a national tour — resulting in a balcony appearance to 25,000 fans. She also picked up Feargal Sharkey at the airport, only for him to insist on taking over the driving en route to his hotel. Airey went on to build a career as a publicist in the film industry.
Margaret Sweetman — Working as Margaret Courtney, Sweetman was a respected booker in the early ’70s with the AEE Agency in Melbourne, championing 20 acts including Max Merritt & The Meteors and The Masters Apprentices. After marrying Stan White, keyboard player with Piranha, she joined them on tour through the UK and the US. She later built a new life in New Zealand, where she worked in the film sector alongside her second husband, Murray Sweetman.
Julian Barnett — Barnett was a gifted Adelaide guitarist, born in 1960, whose musical curiosity took him across many projects — Billy and the Redfins, The Julian Barnett Ensemble, Steve Foster & the OCQ and Sympathy Orchestra among them. A songwriter and producer of theatre and dance shows, he also shared his knowledge and love of music with students at the University of Adelaide.
Christopher James Harvey — Harvey, 51, from Broken Hill, NSW, was a beloved entertainer known to many as drag queen Christina Knees-Up. His warmth and showmanship brought joy to audiences across TV and stage throughout his career.
Kristopher Elliott — Elliott, 51, was a trailblazing drag queen entertainer who performed as Maxi Shield for over 20 years, leaving an indelible mark on Australian entertainment. Best known for appearances on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, the closing ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and as hostess of Madonna’s Rebel Heart Tour in 2015, Maxi’s presence was always electric. Elliott had been living with throat cancer since last September.
