What does a booking agent look for? How do you fill a venue? MusicNSW, in partnership with the University of Newcastle Conservatorium of Music, is proud to announce “The Newcastle Music Industry Forum” – the first event in a brand new series aimed at local music lovers, aspiring artists, and the Newcastle music industry. This special free panel and networking drinks will focus on all things touring and live performance, and takes place at the Newcastle Conservatorium at 6.30pm, Thursday 15 August.
From dissecting booking agreements to gig etiquette, the importance of a front-of-house engineer to issues faced by tour managers – our panel has done it all. They’ll explore what it means to hit the road successfully and will get you motivated, tuned up and ready for the road, with five experts on hand to share their anecodotes and expertise.
The Newcastle Conservatorium is proud to have initiated this forum. It represents an important part of its education program with music and the creative industries.
Guest speakers are:
JAMES BOSERIO – aka Jimmy Nice (Spit Syndicate)
With tracks like “Beauty In The Bricks” and “Folly” across triple j airwaves, Sydney duo Spit Syndicate utilised some of the best producers in the biz for their latest LP, Sunday Gentlemen, including Styalz Fuego (360, Seth Sentry), M-Phazes (Drapht, Bliss n Eso) and more. One half of the ARIA nominated hip-hop outfit, Jimmy Nice, will join our panel to share the band’s stories and insight.
ANDREW KELLY (Big Apachee)
Long-term tour manager of the Hilltop Hoods and a regular TM for Soundwave festival; production manager of 2013’s Groovin The Moo; a FOH engineer for acts like as The Whitlams, Ash Grunwald, and The Beautiful Girls; and a promoter of concerts in the Newcastle area for over 20 years – including a stint in the ‘90s as Activities Officer of Newcastle Uni.
MEG WILLIAMS (Association Of Artist Managers, Spark and Opus)
The Executive Director of AAM – the peak body representing the issues affecting music managers and their artists – Meg is also a co-director at management company Spark and Opus, who look after the careers of Cub Scouts, Elizabeth Rose, PVT and Shady Lane, plus producers Ivan Vizintin (Kirin J Callinan, Collarbones), Richard Pike (DZ Deathrays) and muso Laurence Pike.
JAY VAN LIESHOUT (sound / production / tour manager)
Japandroids, Something For Kate, Boy & Bear, Andrew WK, Dawes, Tame Impala, The Wombats, You Am I and a whole lot more have called on Jay’s tour managing and front of house skills. He also looks after stage production for major festivals, such as Splendour, Shore Thing, and Future Music Festival.
KATIE RYNNE (Select Music)
An agent at Select Music, a Sydney-based booking agency, Katie represents The Preatures and Patrick James, and works on the careers of artists such as Boy & Bear, Passenger, Seth Sentry, San Cisco and Josh Pyke. Katie also looks after all social media activity for Select. Previously, she worked in publicity and management, as well as tour managing Lior and Passenger (UK).
