Since 1999, NMIT's music business students have conducted an annual research project - 'State of Play - Live Music in Melbourne', to measure live performance activity in Melbourne venues.  Until recently, these findings were the only real data our local industry had - especially for the pub, club, bar venues that are the backbone of our live scene.

‘State of Play’ is compiled by the Advanced Diploma of Music Business students at NMIT and attempts to measure the health (or otherwise), of the live music scene in Melbourne. It is the only report of its kind in Australia and has been a valuable info source for the music industry and those responsible for making decisions which affect this vital sector of the creative/cultural economy.

Part of the project has been gathering vital data from audience members/music fans on their consumption of live music, and information from the musicians who perform in those venues.

As always, they need your help. On the NMIT website - www.stateofplay.net.au - there are two surveys: one for consumers and one for musicians.

Please take the time to fill one or both out as necessary. Your identity is not requested. The results will allow NMIT to feed quality data to the people who make the decisions about how best to support careers in the industry.

Update: The State of Play report 2010-2011 

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.

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.