Sounds Australia will be presenting two showcases as part of Music Matters Live: on Saturday night from 6pm at Swee Lee and Sunday night from 6:30pm at CQ @ Clarke Quay. 12 Australian acts in total will be travelling to Singapore to perform at the festival in front of industry and fans from across Asia. Both showcases are supported by the ASEAN-Australia Centre and are free to attend.

You’ll be able to see these artists performing this weekend:

Flynn Gurry
FVNERAL
George Alice
Holly Hebe
Lucy Sugerman
Mariae Cassandra
Peach Fuzz
Pierce Brothers
Reuben De Melo
SAHXL
Squid The Kid
TOWNS

Visit the Music Matters Live page on our website to see set times and venue information for both of our showcases.

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Big Wett
Cosmo’s Midnight
Day We Ran
HEADSEND
Jack Gray
Jamaica Moana
Lucky
Pamela
Playlunch
REDD.
Sex Mask
South Summit

Entry is for Reeperbahn Festival ticket-holders only. Doors open at 11:30 and performances will run until 18:00. For set times, and information about each of the Australian acts showcasing at this year’s festival, head to our Reeperbahn Festival page.

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2.6 Seconds: Death in the Outback – Documentary series directed by Bundjalung filmmaker Darren Dale and produced by Blackfella Films.
Closing Night – Directed by Australian actor and filmmaker Cody Fern.
Elsinore – British production, directed by acclaimed Australian theatre and film director Simon Stone.
Future Tense – South African-Australian eco-thriller directed by Jenna Cato Bass.
God Bless You, Mr Kopu – New Zealand-Australian comedy thriller directed by Tongan-New Zealand director Alex Liu.
Girl Group – Written, directed by, and starring Australian comedy icon Rebel Wilson.
Kick On – Directed by Australia’s Nick Kozakis.
Prima Facie – Australian-UK co-production, Directed by Susanna White.
Tenzing – Directed by Australian mountaineer and filmmaker Jennifer Peedom.
When the Ground Paused – Part of the short film program, directed by Australia’s Jess Barclay Lawton.

Amongst this lineup are seven Australian composers whose works are featured in the films:

Brian James Kruger – composer of God Bless You, Mr Kopu

Brian James Kruger is a multi-instrumentalist artist who effortlessly combines modern electronic mixing and beat making techniques with classical performance practices. His unique approach has left a lasting impact on the worlds of film and contemporary music composition.

Over the years Brian has been guest Concertmaster of The Perth Symphony Orchestra and Australian Baroque, both high level professional orchestras. He’s scored music for advertisements, documentaries, short films, and last year his first feature film.

Brian has won both West Australian Music Industry awards and the Martin Simms awards for his composition and performance contributions, and is widely regarded as one of the hardest working and highest quality of artists in his field.

Official Website: https://www.brianjameskruger.com/

Caitlin Yeo – Composer of the documentary series 2.6 Seconds: Death in the Outback

Caitlin Yeo is a multi award winning Australian screen composer with over 80 film and TV credits. She is well known for her bold and inventive scores including Every Little Thing (Sundance 2024), After The Party (TVNZ, ABC, UK Channel4), Bad Behaviour (Berlinale 2023), New Gold Mountain (SBS), Playing with Sharks: The Valerie Taylor Story (Disney+), David Stratton: A Cinematic Life (Festival de Cannes 2017, ABC), The Rocket (Tribeca winner 2013), and Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan (Sydney Festival 2019).

Caitlin has won three AACTA awards (New Gold Mountain, Playing with Sharks, and The Dark Emu Story), 8 APRA AGSC Screen Music awards (including best feature twice for The Rocket (2013) and The Butterfly Tree (2017), 2 Film Critics Circle Awards, amongst many others. Caitlin’s music is often described as captivating, intuitive and emotional. She was the 2022 recipient of the prestigious Sydney UNESCO City of Film Award (an award that recognises a trailblazing screen practitioner whose work stands for innovation, imagination, and high impact), and the 2023 Australian Women’s Film Festival Groundbreaker Award. Both awards are a great honour for Caitlin as she is the only composer to have received them.

Official Website: https://www.caitlinyeo.com/

Gabriel Isaac Mounsey – co-composer for Kick On.

Gabriel Mounsey is an accomplished Film Composer, Mixer, Arranger, Music Editor, and Electronic Musician. Dual national of both Australia and Germany, he is largely based out of Los Angeles. Over his 2+ decade career he has contributed to over 50 film and tv|streaming series, and has released multiple electronic records under various guises. He has toured live and has mixed numerous albums.

Gabriel has been nominated for Best Film Score at the Deutscher Film Prize for Drei, Composed the score to the short film Open Heart which was nominated for Best Documentary short at the Academy Awards, was nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing at the Golden Reel Awards for The Matrix Resurrections, and was nominated for best Original Score in Television at the 2025 AACTA Awards for Boy Swallows Universe. Gabriel is a frequent collaborator of directors Greg McLean, Tom Tykwer, and Lana Wachowski and composer Johnny Klimek.

Official Website: https://www.gmounsey.com/

Johnny Klimek – co-composer for Kick On.

Johnny Klimek is a fourth generation film composer, equally comfortable in the electronic studio and on the recording stage with Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic, as he was for Perfume: The Story of a Murderer. This dual-identity asserted itself again in the adaptation of Cloud Atlas (2012), on which Johnny teamed up with the Wachowski’s and his sturdiest collaborator, German auteur Tom Tykwer.

Official Website: https://waveproductionsandfilms.com/

Michael Yezerski – composer of Rebel Wilson’s Girl Group

Michael Yezerski is always looking for new musical languages to express the inexpressible. The result is music that is emotional, beautiful, intense, and surprising. His deep understanding of storytelling has led to assignments covering an impressive range, with the common thread being that all his scores function as vital, active participants in the films’ narratives.

Buddy, Casper Kelly’s 2026 Sundance opener, has garnered significant praise and attention including for Michael’s driving, multi-layered score. The film is a breakout hit at the US Box Office. Michael is known for bringing genuine emotion to his genre scores. He continues this tradition in 2026 with Rebel Wilson’s second feature, Girl Group (Toronto International Film Festival Gala Presentation 2026), a score that blends humor, with a moving emotional subtext. The same can be said of his score for Wilson’s first feature film, The Deb, which closed TIFF 2024.

Michael’s minimal, horrific atmospheres on The Devil’s Candy brought him international acclaim. That work led to a string of significant horror engagements, including Keith Thomas’ The Vigil, an episode of Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities, and Sean Byrne’s Dangerous Animals. More recently, he has completed The Killings at Parrish Station and Claremont.

Official Website: https://michaelyezerski.com/

Stefan Gregory – composer of the film Elsinore

Stefan Gregory’s unusual background in theatre, rock ’n roll, and mathematics has helped forge his unique perspective on composition. His style ranges from orchestral to minimal electronic, from dirty electric guitars to delicate chamber instruments and voices.

His score for The Rooster, starring Hugo Weaving and Phoenix Raei, is created entirely using vocals. It won the 2024 APRA/AMCOS Screen Music Award for Best Soundtrack Album, and was also nominated for Feature Film Score Of The Year.

He has written music for many of the most esteemed theatre companies in the world, including: The National Theatre, The Young Vic, Barbican (London); Theatre Basel; L’Odeon (Paris); Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Armoury (New York); Schaubühne (Berlin); Burgtheater (Vienna); Salzburg Festival; International Theatre Amsterdam; Sydney Theatre Company, Belvoir St Theatre (Sydney). He has also been commissioned by the Australian Ballet, Queensland Opera and Powerhouse Museum. His music has won various awards, including an APRA/AMCOS Screen Music Award for Best Soundtrack Album, a Helpmann Award, Sydney Theatre Awards, OBIE, and he has been nominated for a Dramadesk, and an AACTA award.

He was a recipient of a Sidney Myer Creative Fellowship. During his brief stint as a rock guitarist in Faker, the band had a platinum single (This Heart Attack) and four ARIA award nominations.

Official Website: https://stefangregory.com.au/

Tiaryn Griggs – composer of the short film, When The Ground Paused.

Tiaryn is a versatile, transformative performer, with a voice that spans from the ethereal to the commanding. She is known for her signature blend of jazz, songwriting and a magnetic stage presence. Tiaryn has shared the stage with the likes of Sex On Toast, Killing Heidi, Clare Bowditch, Kathleen Halloran, 30/70, Kylie Auldist, The Vaudeville Smash, Meg Mac, Sampa The Great and many more, touring nationally and internationally, often stealing the show with her enigmatic solos and uninhibited dancing. Tiaryn has released three eclectic EPs and her Debut album Disco Dress in May, independently, devoted to the craft, she has been forging her sound and her place in the Australian music scene.

Tiaryn also created the score for a short film The Sweetness by filmmaker Jessica Barclay Lawton, a heartfelt film that was short-listed in the 2022 Sydney Film Festival. As a composer, Tiaryn channels her creativity through the piano, and crafts textures using a diverse array of hand percussion, drums, vibraphone, pedal steel, guitar, and bass to enrich each song. Tiaryn’s passion for surprising harmonic expression is deeply influenced by her jazz piano background, and serves as a musical symbol of her unwavering commitment to honesty, growth, and hope. Tiaryn has collaborated with several producers, writers, hip hop acts and musicians over the years, honing her craft. Emerging from the trials of the pandemic and significant personal upheavals, Tiaryn has harnessed her experiences to create a vibrant, raw, and defiant body of work. Mixing child-like magic with the sensibility of a powerhouse diva, this latest collection of songs explores profound truths, inviting the listener to connect and feel deeply.

Visit her website: https://www.tiarynmusic.com/

When The Ground Paused credits: Score producer Tiaryn Griggs. Improvised score performed by Julien Wilson and Melina Van Leeuwen.

Want to hear music from these composers, as well as the history of Australian films – and films from TIFF festivals in recent years?

Check out our TIFF 2026 playlist. More details on what’s on the playlist is below.

Music from TIFF 2026 Films & Composers:

“exit” by Boler Mani – Features in the TIFF 2026 film Kick On.

“I Went Home (featuring Sean Carey)” by Caitlin Yeo from the film Every Little Thing. Caitlin composed the TIFF 2026 mini-series 2.6 Seconds: Death In The Outback.

“Waiting for a God” by Tiaryn Griggs – A single from the composer of the short film When The Ground Paused.

“Mama Ma” by Stefan Gregory – From the National Theatre’s Phaedra. Gregory is the composer of the TIFF 2026 film Elsinore.

“Fall At Your Feet” by Michael Yezerski from The Black Balloon (TIFF 2008). Crowded House cover. Michael is the composer of the TIFF 2026 film Girl Group.

“Lawn Standoff” by Gabriel Mounsey and Johnny Klimek from Breaking In – Composers of the TIFF 2026 film Kick On.

“Meditation” by Caitlin Yeo from the film Guided by Horses. Caitlin composed the TIFF 2026 mini-series 2.6 Seconds: Death In The Outback.

“Jammin'” by Ardijah – Featured in the TIFF 2026 film God Bless You, Mr Kopu.

“In The Grass” by Stefan Gregory – From in the film Cottontail (2023). Stefan composed the TIFF 2026 film Elsinore.

“Cloud Atlas Finale” co-composed by Johnny Klimek for Cloud Atlas (TIFF 2012) – Co-composer of the TIFF 2026 film Kick On.

“Shark Kingdom” by Caitlin Yeo from the film Shark Kingdom (2025). Caitlin composed the TIFF 2026 mini-series 2.6 Seconds: Death In The Outback.

“The Glass Menagerie” by Stefan Gregory – From the production of the same name. Gregory is the composer of the TIFF 2026 film Elsinore.

“Safely” by Tiaryn Griggs – A single from the composer of the short film When The Ground Paused.

“AU Falcon” by Lavez – Features in the TIFF 2026 film Kick On.

“Kleo’s Revenge” by Johnny Klimek for the Netflix series Kleo – Co-composer of the TIFF 2026 film Kick On.

“Utopia” by Michael Yezerski from The Lost Thing. Michael is the composer of the TIFF 2026 film Girl Group.

“It’s Alright” by Kruger James – the project of the composer of God Bless You, Mr Kopu, Brian James Kruger.

Music from past TIFF Films, Composers and the history of Australian cinema:

“Vegas” by Antony Partos from the film Christy (TIFF 2025)

“The Worker” by Party Dozen, as featured in The Royal Hotel (TIFF 2023)

“Estranged” by Stevie Jean. Stevie starred in Rebel Wilson’s The Deb (TIFF 2024). This film was also composed by Michael Yezerski.

“Overture from Crocodile Dundee” by Peter Best from Crocodile Dundee (1986)

“Sparkling Diamonds” from Moulin Rouge (2001)

“Love is in the Air (Ballroom Mix)” by John Paul Young from Strictly Ballroom (TIFF 1992, People’s Choice Winner)

“The Road” by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis from the film The Road (TIFF 2009)

“This Heart Attack” by Faker, which featured in the 2008 film Hey Hey It’s Esther Blueburger. Stefan Gregory, the composer of Elsinore, was a member of this band.

“Somersault” by Decoder Ring from Somersault (TIFF 2004)

“What A Man” by Jessica Mauboy from The Sapphires (TIFF 2012)

“Don’t You Worry” by Electric Fields from Sweet As (TIFF 2022)

“The Day The World Stood Still” by Tina Arena & Australian Boys Choir from The Dish (TIFF 2000)

“Show Me The Way” by 18YOMAN ft. tiffi from Leviticus (2026)

“Crushed Velvet” by Molly Lewis. Molly is featured in the documentary Whistle (TIFF 2025)

“One Crowded Hour’ by Augie March, as featured in The Royal Hotel (TIFF 2023)

“Lazarus Drug” by Megan Washington, as featured in Bluey (Episode “The Sign”, 2024). Washington also composed music for The Deb (TIFF 2024)

“The Sheep Rustlers” by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra from Babe (1995)

“These Days” by Powderfinger, featured in the film Two Hands (1999)

“Dinner Time” by Spiderbait, featured in the film Looking for Alibrandi (2000)

“The Dressmaker Closing Credits” by David Hirshfelder, from the film The Dressmaker (TIFF 2015)

“Don’t Fly Away (PNAU Remix)” by PNAU, Elvis Presley from the film Elvis (2022)

This special free event brings together the best talent from Australia, Canada and The UK for an all day celebration at Nashville’s Legendary 5 Spot Music Venue.

Country Connections Live is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between music export organisations Sounds Australia, CIMA (Canadian Independent Music Association) and British Underground. It brings together exciting home-grown talent for a unique showcase in front of US and international music industry delegates attending AMERICANAFEST, the annual music showcase and conference held in Nashville, TN from 15 to 19 September. 

The show at the 5 Spot will feature 12 exceptional artists from Australia, Canada and the UK officially selected by the AMERICANAFEST team including Austin Mackay (Australia), Azure Ryder (Australia), Bobby Dove (Canada), Braden Lam (Canada), Brown Horse (UK), Felicity Dowd (Australia), Georgia Harmer (Canada), Hollow Hand (UK), Ian Moss (Australia), Jack Browning (UK), Our Man in the Field (UK) and The Dreggs (Australia).

Country Connections Live
Saturday 19 September 2026
11:30AM to 6:30PM
The 5 Spot, 1006 Forrest Ave, Nashville, TN 37206

All three organisations have been successfully participating in AMERICANAFEST for several years and, in response to current global challenges, agreed to take a new approach by working together, sharing resources and combining expertise. Included in the Country Connections Live programme will be a bespoke artist development package with dedicated industry networking events, orientation sessions and artist mixers all run in partnership with AMERICANAFEST.

Larry Heath, Associate Producer, Sounds Australia said “At Sounds Australia, we often talk about the benefit of artists collaborating across borders to grow their international fanbase. After years of working behind-the-scenes with the UK and Canada, the unique opportunity to showcase all our countries on one Nashville stage encourages exactly that. We can’t wait to see what might grow out of this AMERICANAFEST event, and hope to see everyone come out and discover new talent from all corners of the globe.” 

Jenia Schukov, Export Programming Manager, CIMA said “We’re thrilled to partner with Sounds Australia and the British Underground for our first Country Connections Live showcase in Nashville. This exciting global collaboration brings artists and industry from different markets together to build connections, spark creativity, and open doors to new opportunities.” 

Crispin Parry MBE, CEO, British Underground said “AMERICANAFEST can be a particularly tricky event to navigate for international artists as it is so strongly associated with the Nashville scene.  Our new partnership with Sounds Australia and CIMA helps to bring emerging international artists into one high-profile programme, strengthening their visibility, reach and opportunities at this important   international industry event.  We are also delighted to be working again with UK americana trade body AMA UK at this year’s event.”  

Dance music has become one of Australia’s biggest cultural exports, with Australian music exports reaching $975 million in 2023–24 (Music Australia, Bass Line report). Organised by Australia’s music export office, Sounds Australia, the ADE hub creates opportunities to fast-track Australian artists’ success on the world stage.

Back for a third consecutive year, Australia House returns to Box Sociaal in the heart of the Jordaan, Amsterdam. Expanding from two days to three, it will run across Wednesday 21st, Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd October, serving as the meeting hub for the Australian and global industry in town for ADE, bringing together influential players and trailblazers from around the world.

Each morning opens with curated networking events. From there, Australia House becomes a hub for the industry to hold meetings and connect throughout the day and into the evening, with complimentary Aussie barista coffee.

Meeting spaces can be booked here between 12:30pm and 9:30pm, Wednesday 21st to Friday 23rd October.

As the gateway for international industry to connect with artists and innovators, ADE will once again serve as a platform for Sounds Australia to support Australian talent on a global stage.

“Through Australia House, we’re creating direct pathways between Australia’s leading artists and businesses and international partners, building on the success of a sector that serves as one of Australia’s most influential cultural ambassadors on the world stage,” says Esti Zilber, Executive Producer and Head of Sounds Australia.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, the five-day gathering runs from the 21st to 25th October and is the world’s most extensive festival and conference program for electronic music, representing all electronic subgenres and subcultures across 1,000+ events in 200+ locations spread throughout Amsterdam.

Throughout July and August, we’re presenting a series of workshops to help Australian artists and their teams best prepare for international markets.

The Sounds Australia team and leading industry experts will discuss the strategic foundations that underpin successful music export. It will be a frank and honest conversation anchored in the often overlooked but essential practical knowledge and operational insights that can make or break an artist’s export journey.

From understanding your data and rights, to mastering a compelling showcase, plus budgets, tax and visas, a lot will be covered in dedicated sessions throughout the day. There’ll also be plenty of opportunities for you to ask questions or talk about your own perspectives and lived experiences.

If you’re trying to understand and capitalise on your overseas streaming numbers, thinking about taking your live show overseas, applying for any showcase events (locally or globally), have had a taste of international success and are strategising on your next moves, we want you in the room.

Here are the dates for Sounds Australia’s Export Readiness Workshops:

NEW SOUTH WALES
WHEN: Saturday 4 July, 11:00am – 3:15pm
WHERE: APRA AMCOS HQ, 16 Mountain St, Ultimo

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
WHEN: Saturday 11 July, 10:00am – 2:15pm
WHERE: SAE University College Adelaide, 15-19 Franklin Street, Adelaide

QUEENSLAND
WHEN: Saturday 18 July, 11:00am – 3:15pm
WHERE: SAE University College Brisbane, Cnr Jane Street & Riverside Dr, West End

VICTORIA
WHEN: Saturday 25 July, 11:00am – 3:15pm
WHERE: Bakehouse Studios, 27-29 Hoddle St, Richmond

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
WHEN: Saturday 15 August, 2:00pm – 3:30pm
WHERE: Old Courthouse Fremantle, 45 Henderson St, Fremantle

REGISTER FOR THE WORKSHOPS VIA THIS LINK.

Sounds Australia’s Export Readiness Workshops are delivered in partnership with MusicNSW, MusicSA, Q Music, Victorian Music Development Office and West Australian Music.

Dom Alessio from our team will be participating in the Roundtable: International Market Overview 1 at A2IM Indie Week on Tuesday 9 June from 3 – 4pm.

The roundtable sessions offer informal networking opportunities where one moderator leads discussions and addresses questions from up to 10 Indie Week participants. Each 60-minute session will be divided into four 15-minute segments, allowing attendees to join multiple conversations within the hour. While conversations can flow organically, the moderator will prepare some initial questions to kick things off, such as providing an industry overview of the market, strategies for engaging with markets beyond DSPs, the necessity of having a physical presence (“boots on the ground”), language considerations, popular genres, and music trends, as well as noteworthy festivals, music events, and touring options.

For more information on the conference, visit https://a2imindieweek.org

Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint Downtown in Nashville will play host to THE AUSSIE BBQ at CMA Fest on Thursday 4 June with a full day of some of the best Australian country music talent. Entry is free, we’re kicking things off at 11:30am and running until the early evening. With so much music you’re guaranteed to discover your next favourite country artist at THE AUSSIE BBQ this year.

You’ll see sets from:

Austin Mackay
Brad Cox
Briana Dinsdale
Chloe Styler
Ethan Calway
Jake Davey
Jarrad Wrigley
Kingswood
Mack Geiger
Melanie Dyer
Rachael Fahim
The Dreggs
Tori Darke
Tyla Rodrigues

Sounds Australia has been showcasing local talent at CMA Fest since 2023, with the Australian footprint growing steadily each year. In March 2025, country music was named the fastest-growing genre in Australia across streaming platforms, following Spotify data that ranked Australia as the third-largest country music market globally—behind only the US and Canada. 

Visit our CMA Fest page for set times and more information on all the showcasing Australian acts.

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Sounds Australia will be represented at the event this year by Larry Heath and Glenn Dickie who’ll be appearing at the TuneUp Conference on Sunday 31 May.

Both will be participating in the Career Connections: Industry Roundtables from 9:30am – 11:00am and the panel Touring Locally & Internationally: Expanding Your Reach Beyond Borders from 12:30pm – 1:15pm.

For more information on the event, visit the CMAOntario website.

CMAONTARIO FESTIVAL & AWARDS 2026
R2I TUNEUP CONFERENCE
SUN 31 MAY · 9:30AM – 2:30PM

9:30am – 11:00am
Career Connections: Industry Roundtables (90 minutes)

Step into a dynamic, interactive session designed to fast-track your music industry relationships. Over 90 minutes, you’ll rotate through curated roundtables featuring managers, agents, labels, radio, talent buyers, and publicists/marketing professionals—gaining insider insights while building meaningful connections.

Each table offers a focused discussion on key topics, from career development to touring strategies and audience growth. Bring your questions, share your experiences, and receive feedback from both industry experts and peers in an engaging, collaborative environment.

Unlike traditional networking mixers, this format ensures every participant has a chance to connect with a wide range of professionals, making each conversation purposeful and actionable. Discover new opportunities for collaboration, spark ideas, and leave with a stronger, more diverse network to support your career growth.

Audience: Artists, songwriters, producers, managers and industry professionals
Facilitator: Logan & Jenna

Panelists:

• David Thomson — Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer
• Lisa McEwen — Nashville-Published Songwriter and Recording Artist
• Adam Gonshor — Publicist, Collabo PR
• Neil Anthony — National Promotions Manager, Starseed Entertainment
• Julia Pittman — Marketing, Sony Music Entertainment
• Dayna Bourgoin — Industry Relations, iHeartRadio Canada / National Music Director – Pure Country
• Jeremy Slattery — National Music Director, Stingray Radio
• Jodi Decker — Founder, OnDeck Music Group | Music Promotion Strategist | A&R • Artist Development
• Paul Ferguson — VP, Programming & Operations at Starboard Communications – Cool 100.1 & 95.5 Hits FM
• Steve Kassay — VP, Programming/Operations at Durham Radio Inc.
• Jenna Weishar — Head of Artist & Industry Relations, Front Porch Music
• Logan Miller — Music Marketing Professional, Branding SEO and Social Media Expert, Founder Front Porch Music
• Chloe LeBlanc — Project Manager, Strut Entertainment / STRUT VIP
• Kode Roberts — Artist Manager, The Familie
• Jill Snell — Co-founder, Jayward Artist Group Inc., founder, Road Angel Entertainment – Manager, Label VP
• Tracy-Ann Gagnon — Head of Communications and Marketing, Festival Franco-Ontarien
• Patrick Duffy — Creative Director, Attention Design
• Ali Raney — Director of Label Operations, Starseed Records
• Andy Hawke — General Manager, Anthem Records
• Brooke Dunford — Director, Booking & Business Development, Republic Live |  RLive Management | Boots and Hearts | Burl’s Creek Event Grounds
• Carla Hackman — Founder | Agent, Fame Agency Group
• Larry Heath — Associate Producer, Sounds Australia
• Glenn Dickie — Export Music Producer, Sounds Australia
• Samantha Pickard — President, Strut Entertainment

12:30pm – 1:15pm
Touring Locally & Internationally: Expanding Your Reach Beyond Borders (45 minutes)

Practical strategies for booking venues, routing tours, maximizing show income, and using radio and industry exposure to expand into international markets.

Touring is one of the most powerful ways for independent artists to grow their audience and build a sustainable career. This workshop will guide artists through the process of planning and booking their own tours across Canada without the support of an agent or tour manager. Participants will learn how to research and route tours, approach venues professionally, promote shows effectively, and maximize income through ticket sales, merchandise, and alternative performance opportunities such as house concerts. The session will also explore how radio exposure and international industry connections can open doors to touring opportunities beyond Canada.

Participants:

• Jessie T, Artist/Songwriter
• Larry Heath, Associate Producer, Sounds Australia
• Glenn Dickie, Export Music Producer, Sounds Australia

Join us on Thursday 14 May at Komedia as we take over both stages for the afternoon. Then, on Saturday 16 May, Australian artists will showcase across all three stages on TGE Beach. As an exciting addition to this year’s showcase at TGE Beach, we’ll be welcoming Live Nation Australia’s Ones To Watch to Saturday’s showcase who will host the outdoor stage. You’ll find the set times for both showcases below.

Artists such as Amyl & The Sniffers, Confidence Man, Courtney Barnett, Cub Sport, DMA’S, Folk Bitch Trio, Gang Of Youths, Julia Jacklin, Sycco and Tkay Maidza, just to name a few, have all showcased at The Great Escape Festival. With 28 Australian acts performing at this year’s festival, you’re bound to discover the next big thing from Australia in Brighton in 2026. 

Visit our Great Escape Festival page to see set times and to find out more about all the Australians showcasing at the festival this year:

Any Young Mechanic
Bean Magazine
Big Wett
Charli Lucas
Darcie Haven
Gabriella Cilmi
Flynn Gurry
Fool Nelson
Frenzee
JAEL
Jamaica Moana
Joan and the Giants
Loose Content
Mannequin Death Squad
Matthew Ifield
Mel Blue
Mitch Santiago
Mudrat
Ngaiire
Pamela.
Ruel
Salarymen
Sametime
Sleepazoid
Teenage Joans
The Gnomes
The Tullamarines
Way Dynamic

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