The 1st program announcement for this year’s Regional & Remote Music Summit is here
Today, the first round of sessions for the 2025 program is unveiled for the Regional & Remote Music Summit, taking place at the Byron Community Centre from 23 to 25 July.
This year’s Regional & Remote Music Summit features a dynamic lineup of keynotes, panels, and workshops that highlight the power of music to shape place, identity, and connection across Australia. From the cultural resonance of music in community life to the evolving challenges and opportunities of touring in remote regions, the summit offers a platform for rich discussion and bold ideas, exploring music’s role in building community, tackling climate-conscious touring and DIY models in regional Australia, and offering strategic insights into the national cultural policy rollout.
“The Regional & Remote Music Summit invites artists, industry, researchers and community leaders to join us in robust conversation around the importance of regional leadership in a thriving Australian music landscape. From touring in a climate-conscious world, to the roles of community radio, DIY touring and festivals in cultivating strong music cultures, we will centre regional voices and offer inspiration and insights for anyone interested in music as a force for connection, renewal and sustainability in our communities.”
– Joe Muller, Managing Director, MusicNSW
Registrations are open now – join the conversation on beautiful Bundjalung country. Sessions announced today are:
Keynotes & Panel: Music as Place, Culture and Community | Bringing together three powerful voices to explore how music strengthens identity, resilience, and drives social impact in diverse regional communities. Mini keynote addresses by Rhoda Roberts AO, Dr Vic McEwan (Cad Factory) and Rona Glynn-McDonald (RONA) will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A.
On the Road to a Better Tour: The Future of Touring in a Climate-Conscious World | Oliver Leimbach of Lime Cordiale joins Green Music Australia’s Tim Shiel to explore how artists can reduce their touring footprint without losing the connection that comes from performing in regional communities.
DIY or Die? Touring Regional & Remote Australia | When you’re touring remote Australia, is DIY the only way to survive? How can we make this touring more sustainable and bring music to more communities? This session explores grassroots, artist-led, and community-oriented approaches to touring. Speakers to be announced.
Regional Music Strategy: An Update from Music Australia | Halfway through the rollout of Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place, Australia’s five-year national cultural policy, this session provides a timely snapshot from Director of Music Australia, Millie Millgate, and Creative Australia Research Manager Dr Christen Cornell of the evolving policy landscape and what it means for regional artists, organisations, and the industry.
Ones to Watch: First Nations Showcase | This special edition of Live Nation’s Ones to Watch will spotlight emerging First Nations artists, offering industry and fans the chance to experience powerful performances at The Northern Hotel — one of Byron’s most iconic live music venues—with a full line-up announced late June.
How Festivals are Building Communities and Driving Renewal | Regional festivals are more than celebrations; they’re catalysts for connection, creativity, and renewal. This session will explore how community-led festivals strengthen regional identity, support local economies, and create lasting impact with Tara Medina (Strawberry Fields), Jesse Higgs (Party in the Paddock), Guy Grey (Tropical Fruits), Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye, hosted by Olly Arkins (Australian Festival Association).
Keynote: The Cultural and Economic Contribution of Community Music Radio | What role does community music radio play in Australia’s media and music landscape? In this presentation, Associate Professor Shane Homan shares insights from a three-year ARC-funded project that explored its cultural and economic impact and considers its relevance to CBAA’s Roadmap 2033 and the Federal Government’s Revive policy.
Workshop: The Future of Community Radio | Community radio is the heartbeat of Australian music discovery. But as the media landscape shifts, what does the future hold? In this workshop, artists, broadcasters and changemakers will come together to co-design ideas that will keep community radio thriving as a home for local music and regional voices.
Yarning Strong presented by Support Act | A powerful conversation led by First Nations voices, Yarning Strong will explore wellbeing, healing, and the importance of culturally safe, inclusive spaces in regional music communities with Catherine Satour.
Bowls, Bands and Margaritas presented by Moshtix | Close out the Regional & Remote Music Summit with bowls, beers and margaritas at the Bangalow Bowlo, presented by Moshtix, with live music programmed by Dashville.
See the list of speakers announced and updated schedule here.