Earlier this month, Sydney's beachside suburb Cronulla once again turned into a mega hotspot for up and coming Australian musical talent to mingle in a mecca of advice from media moguls at Australian Music Week.
Now in its fifth year, Australian Music Week boasted an amazing 100-plus acts from a wide variety of genres, and more than 20 panels comprised of leading music industry specialists, Australian and international, ready to impart their wisdom on budding musicians, producers, journalists, engineers, and the public alike.
Though you might not (particularly if you’re a local to the area) consider Cronulla as a potential centre for music, its wonderful atmosphere, basking sunshine, and excellently plotted venues make the suburb an exciting maze of possibilities.
The panels on offer this year were outstanding, boasting some big-name industry pros who were not only there to offer sage words of wisdom on breaking into the music industry, but to give frank and honest advice about the trials and tribulations they’ve endured on their respective paths to success.
Hypothetically Live saw a barrage of names create a mock negotiation process covering a string of people involved when you want to become a successful performing musician.
Hypothetically Live panel - image © Ashley Mar
Bluesfest’s Peter Noble, Eleven Music’s John Watson, Oztix Brad Hinds and several others offered advice on negotiations and debated the various agendas of everyone involved in promoting an artist from musician, to publicist, to manager, to label rep.
The most important lesson you could have taken from this panel was spoken by John Watson who asked: ‘What does success mean to you?’.
Click here for more photos from 2019 Australian Music Week.
Radio! was a panel of such relevance at the moment that it was unsurprising to see so many in attendance. Delegates from The Right Profile, Triple M, Nova 96.9 and Planetary Group discussed the benefits of new musicians approaching radio to promote their work, and the sense of community that is still intact in the platform despite the advent of Spotify and the like.
Visiting from America, Adam Lewis of Planetary Group justly pointed out: “Spotify makes a fan of a song, radio makes a fan of the artist.”
Radio panel - image © Ashley Mar
Moderated by none other than outspoken and worldly industry legend Bob Lefsetz of The Lefsetzletter, attendees to the panels were treated to an audience with the great Michael Chugg of Chugg Entertainment.
Two old blokes full of worldly experience sat down to an unabashed discussion that began in the beginning, Chugg’s childhood and subsequent successful endeavours in Tasmania, before progressing onto his successes in working with some of music’s biggest names at home and afar.
Chugg, dry and witty as he is, had some pearly words of wisdom when Lefsetz asked him what he felt was the key to success. “If you believe in something,” he said, “keep banging your head against the f...ing wall and the wall will fall down.”
Bob Lefsetz and Michael Chugg - image © Ashley Mar
Post-panel blues isn’t a thing, not when there’s an accolade of entertainment and new blood to be enjoyed. From the GU Film House you can duck straight out onto the windy street only to quickly turn a corner and into Croydon Lane.
The journey is swift and exhilarating, your anticipation for what you’ll find as you leave and enter a new venue accelerating – could just be the buzz from the sneaky bevvies you’ve grabbed from one of Cronulla’s premium venues.
Image © Ashley Mar
But no, there were some fantastic musicians showcased at this year’s event, worthy of excitement. At Croydon Lane, singer-songwriter Sam Shinazzi was dazzling with his heartfelt acoustic indie.
If you slipped out a little early, you could whiz straight into Grind, where Indigenous artist Chris Tamwoy was blowing away his audience with his skilful guitar work.
Back onto the street where the warm wind blew you right on into Low And Lofty’s where the pop-groove fusions of China Tiger really felt like a professional show and not just home-grown, up-and-comers giving it their all (a personal favourite). Check out their latest single ‘Belly Button’, you won’t regret it.
With a quick peep into The Brass Monkey on your way back to the train station you’re forced to stay a little longer than anticipated after catching a glimpse of Coterie. Straight out of Perth, this band of brothers were giving it their all with some smooth R&B licks that clashed with dazzling pop.
Closely followed by R&B singer Josh Reck, The Brass Monkey drew heavy audiences, captivated by the array of talent on offer.
As amazing as it is to just stroll from venue to venue, a little indie here, a little world music there, before the sun went down you couldn’t help but notice the befuddlement of passers-by, people who stood for a few minutes admiring the unexpected talent, particularly at the Western Sydney University Beach Stage overlooking the esplanade.
Image © Ashley Mar
It’s a shame that in the daylight hours many talented artists weren’t afforded as much of the attention they deserved, however they made it to the showcase and that’s what really counts; to be seen and heard in any capacity and given the chance to relish the attention of so many.
Australian Music Week needs your support. The opportunities to discover your new favourite band are not to be passed up, not when organisers are going above and beyond to include such a diverse range of acts.
And after all, if you’re a musician with a thirst to achieve, this event was created for you. Put yourself out there, support your peers in their endeavours by heading along to a show or several.
This was truly a special experience, one where you’ll be surprised by who and what you’ll find among Cronulla’s little music nooks and crannies.
