What does it mean to build a sustainable music career from outside a capital city? This panel explores the realities facing artists who stay, leave, return or move between regional and metropolitan contexts, considering how distance, cost, isolation and limited access to opportunity shape their careers.

Hear from artists working across different places and pathways as they reflect on community connection as a creative strength, the role of regional identity in music and storytelling, and the ways digital presence and online audiences can support a career from place. The discussion will also examine what metropolitan industry can misunderstand about regional artists and the different forms success can take,  from income and exposure to wellbeing, cultural continuity, creative autonomy and community value.

Together, panellists will consider how labels, agents, festivals, venues and funders can better support artists to build sustainable careers without losing connection to the communities and places that shape their work.