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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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AI Tools Tour Managers Are Actually Using in May 2026
A look at what's working in tour management software with AI components, what's hype, and where the real productivity gains are showing up.
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Festival Stage Insurance Pressures: What's Different in Mid-2026
Stage insurance for Australian festivals has shifted again in 2026. Here's what production managers are actually facing at the negotiating table.
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Why Arena Load-In Times Are Blowing Out in 2026
Production crews are reporting load-in times 20-40% longer than 2019. Mick Callahan looks at what's actually causing it across Australian arenas.
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Regional Touring Economics: What's Actually Working in 2026
Why some Australian regional tours are profitable in 2026 while others bleed money. Mick Callahan breaks down the routing, fees and real numbers.
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The Live Venue Tech Stack in 2026: What Actually Matters
Cutting through the venue tech vendor pitch. What live venues actually need from their software stack in 2026, and what's still oversold.
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Festival Cancellations Continue Into April 2026: What's Behind the Pattern
Another wave of festival cancellations and downsized lineups across Australian summer 2026. The honest read on insurance, costs, and audiences.
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Band Rider Negotiations: What Actually Matters and What's Just Mythology
The stories about ridiculous band riders make headlines. The real negotiations happen around production requirements and settlement terms that nobody talks about.
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Festival Food Vendor Economics: Why Your $18 Burger Costs What It Does
Everyone complains about festival food prices. Here's what food vendors actually pay for access and why the margins aren't what you think.
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Why Festival Lineups All Look the Same Now
Australian music festivals are booking the same artists repeatedly. Here's why lineup diversity has declined and what it means for emerging acts.
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Sydney Venue Closures Are Hitting the Local Music Scene Hard
Three more Sydney live music venues closed in early 2026. Here's what's behind the decline and what it means for bands and audiences.
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Booking Emerging Artists: What Promoters Actually Look For
Breaking into the live circuit as a new artist is frustratingly hard. Understanding what promoters need makes the process slightly less impossible.
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Why Touring Australia Is Still a Logistical Nightmare in 2026
Distance, costs, and infrastructure gaps make Australian touring uniquely challenging. A tour manager's perspective on what hasn't changed and what's getting worse.
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Artist Cancellation Insurance: Is It Worth the Premium for Australian Promoters?
Artist cancellations have become more common post-COVID, and insurance costs have risen accordingly. Here's the math on whether coverage makes sense for your events.
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Venue Capacity Regulations Are Changing Across Australia: What Promoters Need to Know
State governments are revising live venue capacity rules following several high-profile incidents. The changes affect everything from how capacity is calculated to insurance requirements.
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How Data Is Reshaping Festival Programming
Festival programmers used to rely on instinct and relationships. Now data analytics are changing how lineups get built and tickets get priced.