ARE YOU A REGIONAL ARTIST LOOKING TO TOUR THIS YEAR?
MusicNSW is looking for tour-ready original acts based across regional NSW that want to connect with other artists, grow new audiences, learn more about touring - and of course - hit the road to play shows!
Selected acts will participate in one of five regional touring opportunities:
- Metal Tour: featuring selected Metal acts touring the Riverina, Dubbo and Newcastle
- Songbird Sessions: featuring selected singer-songwriters (solo/duos/trios) touring through Central West cafés
- Wayfinder Tour: featuring selected artists that will work with MusicNSW to design and deliver a tour in any area of regional NSW
- Rising North Tour: featuring selected artists that will tour the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast & North West NSW
- Future Sounds: featuring selected artists aged 18 - 25 years, who will build a tour of hometown shows across the Southern Tablelands and South Coast
Participating artists will build hands-on touring skills and experience, with support and resources from MusicNSW Regional Coordinators. MusicNSW will also provide a financial subsidy to contribute to artist fees and marketing costs. You'll also get an album of professional photos from one of your shows.
Selected acts are expected to cover additional touring expenses which may arise, such as travel, production and accommodation. Please consider your budget (in particular travel expenses to other regions of NSW) when selecting which tours you apply for.
WHO CAN APPLY
This opportunity is for artists that are:
- Based in regional NSW*
- Performing new and original contemporary music - all genres welcome
- Can be solo, duo, or band of up to 6 members
- Ready to perform at least 45 minutes of original songs
This program will be most beneficial for acts that have played some shows and developed a local following, who are ready to take their live show to new towns and audiences, and who are interested in building the skills they need to tour.
Applications featuring artists aged 18 - 25 years, who identify as women or gender-nonconforming, who identify as First Nations or who identify as Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, are encouraged to apply for all tours.
*For the purposes of this application, regional NSW includes all local government areas outside of Sydney, Western Sydney, Newcastle LGA and Wollongong LGA or regional cities with a population less than 100,000. If your band includes members that do not live in the same town, at least 50% of the band members must reside in regional NSW.
KEY DATES
The five regional tours will take place between September - November 2025. Tour dates and locations to be confirmed with selected acts.
Need more information? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions below and you can contact your Regional Coordinator. Go to www.musicnsw.com/regional to book a 15 minute catch up to discuss your application.
HOW TO APPLY
Submit an application form by 11.59 pm on 9 April 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I have to live in regional NSW?
Yes. This opportunity is for regional artists only. Regional NSW includes all local government areas outside of Sydney, Western Sydney, Newcastle LGA and Wollongong LGA or regional cities with a population less than 100,000.
One of my bandmates lives in Sydney/Wollongong/Newcastle, can I still apply?
To be eligible, at least 50% of the band members must reside in regional NSW. Regional NSW includes all local government areas outside of Sydney, Western Sydney, Newcastle LGA and Wollongong LGA or regional cities with a population less than 100,000.
WHAT ARE THE KEY DATES?
Applications open: 27 February 2025
Applications close: at 11:59pm (AEST) on 9 April 2025
Applicants will be notified in early May 2025
The five regional tours will take place across September - November 2025
(tour dates and locations to be confirmed with selected artists)
I am a solo artist, can I still apply?
Yes, MusicNSW welcomes applications from solo artists, duos, trios, and bands (maximum 6 members).
Where will the tours take place? (What towns? What venues?)
The five regional tours will take place between September and November 2025 across regional NSW.
- Metal Tour - Riverina, Dubbo and Newcastle
- Songbird Sessions - Central West
- Wayfinder Tour - tour locations to be determined by selected artists in collaboration with MusicNSW, applications welcomed from anywhere in regional NSW
- Rising North Tour - Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast & North West regions
- Future Sounds - Southern Tablelands and South Coast regions
Tour dates and locations will be confirmed with the selected acts.
Can I apply for more than 1 tour?
Yes, applicants may apply for more than one tour.
Please note:
The Metal Tour will feature artists who play Metal music.
The Future Sounds Tour will feature acts where at least 50% of its members are aged 18-25 years.
What kind of support will MusicNSW provide?
Each act will receive:
- Performance subsidies ($250 per artist per performance e.g. a 3-piece act will be paid a subsidy of $750 per performance).
- A contribution to marketing costs for your tour
- Tailored professional development and support from a MusicNSW Regional Coordinator
- Guidance, including templates for budgeting, planning and logistics, and promoting your tour
- An album of professional photos from one performance
- Support from MusicNSW on the Marketing and PR campaign for your tour
Will participating artists have to pay for anything?
MusicNSW will provide performance subsidies and contribute to marketing costs for all tours. Performance subsidies are calculated at $250 per band member per show.
Travel expenses (petrol, car hire etc) must be covered by artists. Accommodation and production costs may need to be covered by acts in the event that these are not provided by the venue.
Please consider your budget (in particular travel expenses) when selecting which tours you apply for.
Can we ticket the shows?
This will be confirmed with selected artists when venues are locked in for their tour.
I play in a cover band, can I still apply?
No. This opportunity is for original contemporary artists with a live set of at least 45 minutes.
What genre of music are you looking for?
Artists from any genre are welcome to apply. Please note the Metal Tour is only open to Metal Acts.
How many gigs will I get to play?
Selected artists will get to perform at up to three shows.
I have more than 1 band, can I apply more than once?
Yes. You’ll need to complete a separate application for each act/band and use a different email address for each application.
How will applications be assessed?
Applications will be assessed by MusicNSW with consideration for quality of application, location (geographical spread across regional NSW), travel distance required, representation from a range of genres, diversity of applicants and other factors that may arise which the team considers relevant.
Still got questions?
If you have any questions about this application you can contact your Regional Coordinator. Go to www.musicnsw.com/regional to book a 15 minute catch up to discuss your application.
Photo credit: 2024 MusicNSW Tour participants Liquid Culture, photo by Em Jensen
