Tag: competition

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hands Like Houses Call For Aussie Supports

Fancy sharing a stage with Hands Like Houses? The Ngambri/Canberra rockers are giving back to the scene by launching a national search for local acts to support them on their April shows.

“There are a lot of stacked international tours rolling through right now (which is awesome), but real opportunities for local Aussie bands to play bigger rooms are still super limited,” Hands Like Houses said. “So we want to do this properly. We started our career opening for touring shows through Canberra, and we understand the confidence and momentum it can help build for any artist. We’ll check every submission, stats don’t matter, music does. Every selected support band will be PAID. Always. Much love, support local, support Aussie music.”

If you think you have what it takes, apply for one of those coveted support slots via this form. And if you just want to see Hands Like Houses, their already announced support act Dream On Dreamer, and one of the winning bands, get your tickets for the Lótus Tour at the links below:

16 April 2026 – The Baso, Ngambri/Canberra
17 April 2026 – Manning Bar, Eora/Sydney
18 April 2026 – Princess Theatre, Meeanjin/Brisbane
19 April 2026 – Kings Beach Tav, Gubbi Gubbi and Jinibara Country/Sunshine Coast
23 April 2026 – Beer Deluxe, Wiradjuri Country/Albury
24 April 2026 – 170 Russell, Naarm/Melbourne
25 April 2026 – UniBar, Tarntanya/Adelaide
26 April 2026 – Magnet House, Boorloo/Perth

Photo credit: Matt Higgs

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Live Nation Helping New Acts Play Live Shows With Next On

Getting in front of audiences can be tough for emerging acts. Venue overheads are pricy and as the cost of living bites us all and many music lovers prioritise seeing major acts simply breaking even if a challenge. Live Nation is giving up-and-coming Aussie and Kiwi acts a bit of a leg-up with its new Next On initiative.

Every month, Live Nation will give an artist the keys to one of their iconic venues, totally rent-free. It’ll cover all the show costs – from venue rental and production to marketing – and make sure every dollar from ticket and merch sales goes straight back to the artists. Live Nation will also promote the shows and provide professional support that could be absolutely massive for all acts selected. No wonder local talents like Kate Ceberano, Tim Rogers, Missy Higgins, and Teenage Joans are right behind this one. And they’re encouraging Aussie music lovers to do the same.

“Taking a punt on a new act, a new group, a book reading, a theatre show that is not necessarily on the popular culture radar WILL make you a more fulfilled human,” Tim Rogers enthused. “While the rush of being part of a spectacle is palpable, to engage with an artist as they begin makes you, more than ever these days, part of the experiment. To be a fan, a participant, a patron is a noble thing. You are not just an audience. You were involved, and joined the community. Welcome, Onward we go.”

“Giving young artists the chance to stand on iconic stages early, to find their voice and confidence in the right environment, is invaluable. I’m 100% behind it, and I’m thrilled to see these sorts of initiatives help make this possible,” Kate Ceberano added. “This is how we build a healthy industry – one strong foundation at a time.”

Do you want to play at the Palais Theatre, The Triffid, Fortitude Music Hall, Anita’s Theatre, Hindley Street Music Hall, or Tuning Fork as part of Next On? Click through for the Next On registration form. And if you just love music, keep an eye on the Live Nation website next year for all the details of its Next On shows.

Photo credit: Sam D’Agostino

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Win a Recording Session at Sing Sing East Studio

Every musician knows recording time is expensive. So what if you didn’t have to pay to lay your latest tunes down? Box Hill Institute and Sing Sing East Studio are giving you the opportunity to enjoy free studio time with their latest competition.

Sing Sing East is a world-class studio which has hosted musical royalty. Just imagine recording in the same space as Paul Kelly, Nick Cave and the Badseeds, INXS, Missy Higgins, Temper Trap, Crowded House, Powderfinger, Lady Gaga, and Kiss, to name but a few! If you’re one of the lucky winners, you’ll get a two-day recording package in the studio, including the use of an engineer to make your tunes sound their best. The package is worth $2,400, so it’s nothing to sneeze at!

Visit the Box Hill Institute’s website or Facebook page to submit your entry by 11:59 pm on September 19 and you could be a winner. There’ll then be a People’s Vote, based on the highest number of YouTube views, and a Judges’ Award, selected by a panel of industry experts. Winners will be announced on Monday October 21.

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sam Perry Announces Tour & Support Act Competition

They cop a lot of criticism, but I am avid fan of music-based reality shows. They’re one of the few places a nationwide audience can see undiscovered musical talent, and that’s nothing but positive to me. The Voice Australia has perhaps faced the most criticism, a show that enjoys great ratings but has not, as the naysayers remind us, produced a big star. Personally I think “stars” are overrated. Plenty of singers unearthed on The Voice are gigging regularly … but I digress. If The Voice Australia was ever to deliver us a bona fide star, it might be Sam Perry. Simply because he broke the mould and gave us something we’ve never seen on shows of this ilk. In fact, it’s not quite like I’ve seen anywhere else.

Vocal looping in and of itself isn’t new, but the way Sam used it to create soundscapes was incredible. He had raw talent, but I felt like working with Kelly Rowland improved him week after week. It was mentoring at its finest, the kind of thing that happens when these shows are at their best.

Too many reality TV acts fade into obscurity once the cameras stop rolling, but Sam isn’t going to go away quietly. He’s making new music which we’ll no doubt get a taste of when he plays shows around the country later this year.

“My new music is coming together well,” he said. “I have a lot to do and more to learn, but it’s exciting. I also can’t wait to tour Australia and show everyone what I have been working on.”

Sam also wants to pay his good luck forward and use his profile to give another artist a leg up. So he’s launched the Not a DJ support competition. He encourages anyone interested in supporting him on his national tour to send a demo (Soundcloud or private download link), bio, and photo to info@michaelparismgmt.com for the chance to win a place on the bill.

“Starting out as a local artist in a small town, I know all too well how hard it can be to meet the right people, and be heard amongst the already established bands,” he explained. “I’m not great at networking and there is not really a rule book to follow. All I knew, is that I wanted to perform to a room of people, that were there to listen. I can’t wait to hear all your music, and find a local support act to join me in their city on my tour around the country.”

Sam Perry will play the following shows in November and December. Tickets are available from his website. If you go, remember to arrive early enough to cheer on the support act. They might just be the next star of the future.

16 November 2018 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne
17 November 2018 – Dub in the Park, Adelaide
23 November 2018 – The Helm, Sunshine Coast
24 November 2018 – 256 Wickham, Brisbane
30 November 2018 – Civic Underground, Sydney
7 December 2018 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
14 December 2018 – Jack Rabbit Slims, Perth
21 December 2018 – Magnums Hotel, Airlie Beach
22 December 2018 – Dalrymple Hotel, Townsville

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

ScoreIT! Competition Nurtures Young Queensland Composers

If you’re a Queensland high school student with dreams of becoming the next Ennio Morricone or John Williams, make sure you enter the ScoreIT! Competition. Part of the Queensland Music Festival (QMF), the competition encourages budding composers to score a short animated film produced by the Griffith Film School. The winning entry will be performed by a live orchestra in July. Winners will also take home RØDE Microphones recording gear. Finalists will also benefit from composition workshops and masterclasses led by experts from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and a half-day workshop from leading video and digital agency PixelFrame.

Your entry will be judged by an all-star panel including acclaimed vocalist and QMF artistic director Katie Noonan, award-winning film composer Cameron Patrick, and industry leaders from the Griffith Film School, the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, and the Queensland School of Film and Television.

“Music speaks – without words. I can recall many film scores that have moved me throughout the years, and I can’t wait to hear what our talented young composers come up with for the three beautiful animations produced by Griffith Film School students,” Katie Noonan said. “Many past Score IT! participants have gone on to study music at university and are still following their passion, which is exactly why we started this Queensland Music Festival project in the first place.”

There are three ScoreIT! categories: Junior (year 7-10), Senior (year 11 and 12), and Plus, which has the added challenge of composing for a specified instrumentation (year 7-12). Make sure you get yours in before May 18. Visit the Queensland Music Festival website for more information and to view the animated show films.

Image used with permission from Queensland Music Festival

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

2016 Melbourne Music Bank Entries Closing Soon

Victorian musos have less than two weeks to get their entries in for this year’s 2016 Melbourne Music Bank. The lucky winner will have the opportunities to kick start their musical career with an amazing prize pool valued at more than $60,000.

The prizes include four days of recording time at The Studio in the City, enough to record, mix, and master an EP, two paid film clips, album artwork, and printed CDs. Image will also be taken care of with styling sessions, median training, management and mentoring. You’ll also get a photoshoot, which will give you the images you need for your paid publicity campaign. Radio will also plug your music and you’ll get gig bookings, including an east coast tour and a slot at the Beyond the Valley Festival line-up.

If you’d love all these perks, submit your entry via the Bank of Melbourne website by 5 pm on Saturday August 27.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cub Sport Offer Karaoke Party for Album Pre-Orders

The weather plaguing my local area has just been miserable. But Cub Sport’s latest single “I Can’t Save You” is the perfect antidote, a shimmery summery gem that is virtually guaranteed to get your toes tapping.

The track is the latest lifted from Cub Sport’s forthcoming album This Is Our Vice. If you love the track, it’s probably worth pre-ordering the album. Not only do you get an instant download of “I Can’t Save You” and “Only Friend,” you’re also in the running to win a karaoke party with Cub Sport.

If you fancy pitting your vocal talents against the band, head on over to the JB Hi-Fi website. And remember that Cub Sport are playing the following shows with Saskwatch later this year.

2 March 2016 – Studio Six, Sutherland
3 March 2016 – The Basement, Sydney
4 March 2016 – Baroque, Katoomba
5 March 2016 – Small Ballroom, Newcastle
6 March 2016 – 5 Church Street, Bellingen
12 March 2016 – The Triffid, Brisbane
26 March 2016 – Fat Controller, Adelaide
1 April 2016 – Club 54, Launceston
2 April 2016 – Republic Bar, Hobart
6 April 2016 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
7 April 2016 – Workers Club, Geelong
8 April 2016 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
9 April 2016 – Theatre Royale, Castlemaine

Image used with permission from Title Track

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Telstra Road to Discovery Wants You!

Time is running out for you to get your entry in for this year’s Telstra Road to Discovery competition. The competition has provided a launch pad for some of Australia’s brightest new stars including Harry Hookey and Melody Pool.

The competition nurtures the talents of singer-songwriters, awarding winners one of two music development funds valued at $15,000. If you’re one of the victors you’ll also enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to the US, where you’ll attend the Americana Music Festival and local gigs. You’ll also receive invaluable mentorship from some of the industry’s best.

“Telstra Road to Discovery opens doors for artists like no other program. If you are an aspiring musician, or know of someone trying to get their foot in the door, this is a great opportunity to do so,” explained longtime program mentor Ella Hooper.

Aspiring singer-songwriters have until Sunday August 23 to submit their entries online at www.telstra.com/trtd.
Image used with permission from Edelman Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Win Big When You Preorder Jacob Butler’s Debut Album

It’s been an awfully long wait for Aussie fans, but Jacob Butler’s debut album Reason will finally get a local release on August 16. The album from this Australian Idol graduate features the singles “Kites”, “Come My Way”, and “UKOK?”

It pays to preorder, as doing so will put you in the running to win some great prizes including a Sony Bravia 42” LCD TV, one of ten Sony Xperia Go Billabong edition smartphones, and one of ten pairs of Von Zipper sunglasses.

To enter simply forward your iTunes or JBHiFi.com.au receipt, or the docket from your favorite e-tailer, to jbcomp@redrebelmusic.com.au, along with the reason you love Reason in 25 words or less!

Image used with permission from Linda Sarah

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rebecca Neary Wins The Vines Competition

Congratulations Rebecca Neary! She’s won tickets to The Vines’ exclusive upcoming show at St Stephen’s Anglican Church, and a whole bunch of other prizes, courtesy of Sounds of Oz’s recent Live at The Chapel Russian Standard competition.

Rebecca impressed all of the judges with her clever entry, which read:

Make me a Vodka VIP,
Rocking quietly in the vestry!
WINNING DAYS it would be,
The Vines in the pulpit in front of me!

We saw the effort she put in, and thought we just had to reward her. A true Vines fan, Rebecca will be travelling from the Queensland suburb of Fitzgibbon to attend the Sydney show later this week. Now that’s dedication. I hope you have a blast Rebecca!

Image used with permission from Burson-Marsteller