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Australian live music and events industry
The business behind the stage. News, guides, and insider takes on Australian live entertainment.
Thirty years of gigs, festivals, and tours distilled into practical coverage of ticketing, venue ops, touring logistics, and the tech reshaping live events.
What we cover
- Festival and touring economics
- Ticketing platforms and audience data
- Venue management and regulations
- Event technology and production
What you can expect
- Insider perspectives from 30+ years in the game
- Practical advice for promoters and venue operators
- Honest takes on industry trends and policy
- Coverage of AI and tech in live entertainment
Latest posts
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Acoustic Treatment for Small Venues: What Actually Makes a Difference
Small music venues struggle with room acoustics that muddy the mix and create an unpleasant listening experience. Here's what works and what doesn't.
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Why Cashless Festival Payment Systems Keep Failing
Mandatory RFID wristband payment systems were supposed to speed up transactions and reduce theft. Instead they create new problems and frustrate customers.
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Band Rider Requests vs Venue Realities: The Technical Gap
Why technical riders from touring acts often don't match what regional venues can actually provide, and how to manage the gap without compromising shows.
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Festival Stage Production: Weather Contingencies That Actually Work
How Australian festival promoters plan for weather disruptions, the technology and logistics that prevent cancellations, and what separates resilient events from disasters.
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DJ Rider Requirements Have Gotten Completely Unrealistic
I've been doing venue production for 30 years. DJ technical riders used to be one page: 'CDJ-2000s and DJM mixer.' Now they're eight pages demanding equipment that doesn't exist in most venues.
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Festival Cancellation Insurance: What Actually Gets Paid Out
Three major Australian festivals cancelled in the past year filed insurance claims. Two got paid partial amounts. One got nothing. Here's what coverage actually looks like when you need it.
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Festival Lineups Are Getting Too Predictable
Same headliners, same order, same vibe. Australian festivals need to take more risks.
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Why Small Venue Acoustics in Sydney Are All Over the Place
Some tiny venues sound incredible, others are acoustic nightmares. Here's what makes the difference.
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Streaming Royalties for Australian Musicians: The Math Still Doesn't Work
I ran the numbers on what Australian artists actually earn from streaming. Even with recent rate increases, it's not a viable income model.
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Sydney Venues Are Getting Crushed by Insurance Costs
Public liability insurance for live music venues has doubled in two years. Small venues can't absorb the cost, and we're losing spaces as a result.
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Festival Camping Infrastructure: The Amenities That Separate Good From Miserable
Adequate toilets, water, and power make the difference between a great festival experience and one people won't repeat.
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Live Sound Mixing for Outdoor Venues: Variables You Can't Control
Wind, temperature changes, and ambient noise make outdoor sound engineering significantly harder than indoor venues.
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Festival Food Vendor Economics: The Hidden Costs Nobody Tells You
Why festival food stalls pay $15,000+ for three days of trading, and whether vendors actually make money.
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Venue Acoustics: Why Great Sound Is Rarer Than You Think
The physics and economics behind why so many live music venues sound terrible, and what actually fixes the problem.
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Why Touring Bands Are Skipping Australia (And What That Means for Our Music Scene)
International artists are increasingly bypassing Australian tours due to costs and logistics. The impact on our live music industry is already being felt.