Music Victoria opens applications for Live Music Professionals program

Applications have opened for Music Victoria’s Live Music Professionals 2018 – a free professional and business development program for independent promoters, venue owners, venue managers and band bookers.

Successful applicants will be matched with skilled and experienced music industry professionals for one-on-one coaching sessions in key business-based areas.

In 2017 the coaches included publicist and manager Carolyn Logan, owner of The Tote and Bar Open Jon Perring, Groovin The Moo festival booker Richard Moffat, manager and co-producer of the Hills Are Alive Festival Aidan McLaren, and Alex Zaccaria of digital marketing agency Bolster.

Designed to strengthen Victoria’s live music sector by fostering successful music businesses, participants will also attend specialised workshops, masterclasses and conferences while also having access to invaluable networking opportunities.

The program is free and applications are open until April 3.

The program will be tailored to the needs of each recipient’s music business and will run from July – November.

One of last year’s participants, Jeremy Furze of the music venues Some Velvet Morning in Clifton Hill and The Bridge Hotel in Castlemaine stated, “Live Music Professionals was a very valuable experience for me personally and also for my business.

“The program connected me with some really great people working all over the industry and has given me great inspiration about ways to grow and improve our business.

"As a result of the program we have implemented a new marketing plan for Some Velvet Morning which has helped considerably, not only in growing sales but also in professional headspace as we take on a second venue.

“I also had great fun in the process and was reminded that others often make mistakes like we do!”

Sally Mather of The Corner Group, who served as a coach in 2017, additionally observed, “Live Music Professionals was a great way to connect with people in different facets of the industry and it was really exciting to see the enthusiasm everyone had to learn, share and really make the most of the program.”

Live Music Professionals is a scheme by Music Under Wings, a Victorian government initiative. To apply head to musicvictoria.com.au/LMP.