Music lovers will have a new guide to help find venues, music stores and other music resources with the release of Melbourne Music City – a guide to the Live Music Capital of Australia.

Melbourne Music City maps Melbourne’s main metropolitan entertainment hubs as well as venues in regional Victoria. The guide also includes a Victorian music festival timeline, a plotted history of key music events in the state plus information on gig guides, media, public transport and music-friendly accommodation.

Music Victoria, the state peak body for contemporary music, is a partner of the Face the Music industry conference, the Australasian World Music Expo and Melbourne Music Week, all of which begin this week.

This free 60 page pocket-sized booklet hits Melbourne and Sydney cafes, venues and tourist hot spots from this Friday in time for these three key events. You can also view it online here.

Austrade (the Australian Trade Commission) will distribute the guide through its offices in Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo, Toronto and Frankfurt, as well as through overseas embassies and consulates. The physical guide will be published annually and there are plans to develop a website and a smartphone application.

If you love music, then Victoria’s the place to be over the next fortnight. The Melbourne Music Guide will help locals and tourists alike discover some hidden musical treasures.

For information about event tickets or schedules, check websites:

facethemusic.org.au
melbourne.vic.gov.au/mmw
awme.com.au

APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR MUSICIANS, PERFORMERS, TRADERS & COMMUNITY GROUPS

St Kilda Festival 4^th – 12^th February 2012

Would you like to perform at one of Australia’s best known festivals? Here’s your chance. Entries for the 2012 St Kilda Festival open on Thursday 1 September 2011.

Whether you are a band or solo musician, a children’s entertainer, community group, stall holder, trader or have an event or activity that you’d like to showcase then now’s the time to apply.

Live N Local: 5-11 February 2012

The Live N Local program will offer a mammoth week of local bands at local venues. The hugely popular program provides a platform for local musicians from all genres to join the week of festivities. In order to be eligible to play in the Live N Local program, at least one of your members must live, work or study in the City of Port Phillip. The 2012 Live N Local program will have more opportunities than ever for community participation with an increased program and all new places to play.

New Music Stage: Festival Sunday, 12 February 2012

Hailed as one of the highlights of St Kilda Festival, the New Music Stage is back again offering the best new emerging talents a chance to play at one of Australia’s best known festivals. Ten bands will be chosen to play on the New Music Stage and the crowd favourite will win $5,000 and other cool things.

Make sure you get your application in by Friday 30 September 2011.

For more information and to apply go to: stkildafestival.com.au or contact the Festival office on 03 9209 6490 for more information.

Queenscliff Music Festival have revved up the festival heat even more this summer with a second round announcement of acts to add to the already blistering 2011 line up. The Queenscliff Music Festival takes place over the weekend of 25-26-27 November showcasing the best in past, present and future Australian and world music.

Music Victoria will also be hosting a workshop on Saturday 26^th November at the Vue Grand from 10.30am–12.30pm. Some of the biggest names in the music industry, including ABC 774 radio personality Derek Guille, A‘n’R wiz Michael Parisi, Eskimo Joe & Jebediah artist manager Cath Haridy, venue booker Neil Wedd and publicist Karen Conrad join Music Victoria CEO Patrick Donovan to discuss what it takes to get ahead in the music industry in 2011.

This is a free workshop and is open to the public as well as festival acts and industry.

PBS 106.7FM, in association with the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, is delighted to announce a brand new initiative promoting innovation and excellence in jazz composition: the PBS Young Elder of Jazz Commission.

The Commission will award a Victorian Jazz composer/ performer $10,000 for the creation and presentation of a new work to be broadcast on PBS and performed exclusively at the 2012 Melbourne International Jazz Festival (MIJF).

Applications are open from Monday 19^th September and close at 5pm on Friday 7^th October 2011. For full terms and conditions and entry forms, go to the PBS FM website. 

The music industry will come together for one of the most important events on the Victorian music calendar when annual music summit Face The Music returns to the Arts Centre for its fourth year on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 November 2011.

The non-profit event, now in its fourth year, provides the Victorian and Melbourne music community with a platform for professional and creative career development. The two day event features presentations, discussions, artist development, networking, live music, practical workshops and the hottest tips and tools to give your music the edge.

Face The Music is pleased to announce this year’s keynote international guest speaker, South by South West Creative Director, Brent Grulke, presented by new event partner Melbourne Music Week.

Tickets are now on sale and Music Victoria members get a 10% discount off the ticket price.