Gold Coast Music Network

03/06/2026

Gold Coast, let us hear it! 📣 What do you need to go from surviving 👉 to THRIVING?

❓What skills would help make a difference to your career?
❓What training do you need to take the next step?
❓What networking opportunities do you need to help make connections?

We want to hear from YOU! We're after input from the entire industry - musicians, labels, producers, publicists, managers, booking agents, venues, stage crew and event managers.

Complete the Training Needs Survey and share your thoughts now: https://culturecounts.cc/s/4E41G4/splash

01/06/2026

Did you hear? Nominations are open right now for the AWMA Awards! 🏆

The Australian Women in Music Awards celebrate and recognise the contributions of First Nations women, female and gender-diverse artists and music practitioners across all genres and all areas of the Australian music industry.

If you know an inspiring female or gender-diverse artist or music practitioner – a songwriter, peer, colleague, regional or remote artist, leader, someone working behind the scenes, a tech or a friend – now's the time to nominate them!

📅 Nominate yourself or someone you know before the June 22 extended deadline.
🔗

NominateAWMA 2026 Nominations28 APRIL 2026 – 8 JUNE 2026ARIA Music AdvocacyThis award recognises a woman or gender diverse person who is advocating and influencing outcomes and pushing for meaningful reform for issues shaping the future of the Australian contemporary music industry.Just as other i...

28/05/2026

LAST CHANCE ⏰ Two Creative Australia grants are closing next week for touring activities!

🎤 Contemporary Music Touring Program - providing up to $50,000 to support national touring activity undertaken by Australian musicians performing original Australian contemporary music.
https://creative.gov.au/investments-opportunities/contemporary-music-touring-program

🎤 Playing Australia Project Investment - supporting performing arts tours to reach regional and remote communities across Australia, including costs necessary for the completion of a successful regional tour with a confirmed itinerary.
https://creative.gov.au/investments-opportunities/playing-australia-project-investment

📅 Applications for both programs close June 2 so get in quick!

This program provides up to $50,000 to support national tours by musicians performing original Australian contemporary music.

25/05/2026

Hey, Gold Coast music sector! 👋

‼️ Question: What skills and knowledge do you need to flourish in 2026?

We've just launched our Training Needs Survey and we want to hear from musicians, music workers and music-related businesses about what YOU want and need.

Do you have 5 minutes to spare? Share your thoughts 👉 https://culturecounts.cc/s/4E41G4/splash

21/05/2026

MINGLE SNAPS 📸 A big thank you to everyone who came out for our Music Industry Mingle on Wednesday night at Mo's Desert Clubhouse!

What a turnout with people joining us from the Gold Coast, Brisbane, northern NSW and even as far as Cairns to hear about the changing face of live music in Australia.

A special thank you to our panellists for an insightful and balanced conversation – Kim Ferguson (Mo’s), Ella Fence, Simone Jenkins (elsewhere), Brad Hinds (Oztix) & Christian Tryhorn (Mo’s + Beats Cartel) – and to Alanah Stone Music for her stunning set! 🎶

This was our last Music Industry Mingle as we wrap up the Gold Coast Music Network later this year and begin handing over to a new committee to continue the GC Music Awards and other industry development activities. More to come soon!

19/05/2026

🎶 SEE YOU TONIGHT 🎶

Here are the timings for tonight's Music Industry Mingle: The Changing Face of Live Music:
~ 5.30pm: Doors open and live music from Alanah Stone Music
~ 6.30pm-7.45pm: Panel discussion + Q&A
~ 7.45pm-8.30pm: Mingling (last drinks 8.15pm)

Cash bar onsite and food will be available for purchase.

Make sure to RSVP and reserve your spot 👇

Presented by Gold Coast Music Network For more information & to RSVP hit the below Book Now button

18/05/2026

🔥 MORE TICKETS RELEASED 🔥
Good news, folks! We're moving our Music Industry Mingle into the Mo's warehouse – which means we've just released an extra 100+ tickets!

This Wednesday, join us for an honest, practical discussion about the rapidly evolving live music landscape in Australia, with panellists Brad Hinds (Oztix), Ella Fence (musician), Christian Tryhorn (Mo's Desert Clubhouse & Beats Cartel) and Simone Jenkins (elsewhere), moderated by Kimberley Ferguson (Mo's Desert Clubhouse).

With venue closures, rising costs, declining ticket sales and shifting audience behaviour reshaping the scene, the panel will unpack what is happening on the ground: who is showing up, what is driving the change, and how do we keep live music viable?

Round up your band members and muso mates and join us to hear insights, ask questions and explore how we can keep our local music community strong.

📅 Wednesday 20 May, 5.30pm-8.30pm
📍 Mo's Desert Clubhouse

🎟️ Free, everyone welcome! RSVP via https://www.mosdesertclubhouse.com/events/music-industry-mingle-the-changing-face-of-live-music-free-entry-aa

To kick start the night enjoy live music from Alanah Stone Music and some casual mingling with the local music industry.

Presented by Gold Coast Music Network For more information & to RSVP hit the below Book Now button

15/05/2026

OPEN NOW 💰 Creative Australia's Playing Australia Project Investment supports performing arts tours to reach regional and remote communities across Australia. Funding support costs necessary for the completion of a successful regional tour with a confirmed itinerary.

⏰ Applications close June 2. Find out more & apply now:

Supporting performing arts tours to reach regional and remote communities across Australia.

13/05/2026

📣 MEET THE SPEAKERS 📣
Our next Music Industry Mingle is coming up next week – and tickets have now sold out! This one's going to be BIG 🔥

Meet the industry guests joining the panel to discuss the changing face of live music:

🎤 Brad Hinds: Brad has worked in the music industry since 2003, starting out with local venues on the Gold Coast before moving into marketing, publicity, content and band bookings. As Head of Music at Oztix, Brad works with venues, promoters and event managers across Australia.

🎤 Christian Tryhorn: Christian is a musician, promoter and venue owner with more than 20 years experience in the live music scene, from touring internationally to managing bands and curating festivals. As director of Beats Cartel and owner/music director of Mo's Desert Clubhouse, he works closely with original artists and venues across Australia.

🎤 Ella Fence: Ella Fence is an award-winning independent artist known for her bold alternative pop and indie rock sound, with more than 5 million Spotify streams and performances across Australia, Europe and North America. A two-time GCMA winner, Ella continues to push creative boundaries through innovative live shows, international touring and collaborative projects.

🎤 Simone Jenkins: Simone is co-founder of elsewhere and has built a diverse career across hospitality, nightlife and live music here in Australia and overseas. With decades of experience in venue operations, events and music culture, she brings a deep understanding of the live music industry.

🎤 Moderator - Kimberly Ferguson: Kimberly Ferguson, aka Kimbo Slice, is the Founder and Director of Mo's Desert Clubhouse and has more than 15 years experience across the independent music industry. From venue ownership and festival coordination to artist management, publicity and live events, Kim is a passionate advocate for local music, inclusion and stronger support for the arts sector.

We can't wait to get into it with these industry legends next week.

🎟 More tickets released! Grab yours now at https://www.mosdesertclubhouse.com/events/music-industry-mingle-the-changing-face-of-live-music-free-entry-aa

08/05/2026

OPEN NOW 📣 Creative Australia Fellowships of $80,000 are on offer to support outstanding, established artists’ and arts workers’ activity and professional development for a period of one to two years.

Fellowships are offered in the areas of Arts and Disability, Community Arts and Cultural Development, Dance, Emerging and Experimental Arts, First Nations, Literature, Music, Theatre and Visual Arts.

📅 Applications are open now and close June 2.
🔗 Find out more about & apply now:

Creative Australia Fellowships of $80,000 support outstanding, established artists’ or arts workers’ creative activity and professional development for a period of up to two years.