Snowdroppers at SOUNDS AUSTRALIA Block PArty
SOUNDS AUSTRALIA hosted several successful networking events over the past couple of weeks, bringing industry together and building relationships integral to moving artists forward with their careers and respective creative endeavors.
In partnership with The Windish Agency, Laneway Festival and Eat Your Own Ears presented Promoter Alley on Wednesday 16th March. It was undoubtedly one of the most vital events for Australian artists, managers, agents and bookers at SXSW 2011. Hosting a live panel that brought together some of the worlds most influential ears in the industry – this invite only event provided Australians at SXSW a first of its kind opportunity. The Australian Managers and wider music community were afforded the chance to hear directly from those involved with booking some of the world’s most renowned international Festivals, as they shared insights, critical dos and don’ts and ultimately blew the lid off what it is they look and listen for when curating their respective events.
Coming together for the first time for this exclusive SXSW event was Lesley Olenik (Coachella / Goldenvoice), Declan Forde (Electric Picnic), Rob Challice (Summer Sundae / CODA Agency), Huw Stephens & John Rostron (SWN Festival), Natasha Haddad (The Great Escape Festival), Jonny Beach (Bowery Presents – Mecury, Bowery, Williamsburg Music Hall), Tom Baker (Field Day (London) / Underage Festival) and Danny Rogers (Laneway Festival/Lunatic Entertainment.
Following on from this was our International Round Tables – proving it really is a small world after all. International delegates from Canada, Catalan, Germany and the UK met at British @ SXSW and proceeded to break in to five respective industry sectors (Management, Live, Labels, Digital, Media/Marketing) for round table discussions, hosted at different National stands. It proved to be very successful, with participants walking away with pockets full of business cards containing the names of new contacts and potential partners.
Our International Legal Connections networking event, held at the SOUNDS AUSTRALIA stand and presented in partnership with our friends at MEDIA ARTS LAWYERS. Stephen King and David Vodicka, Principals of Australias leading Entertainment and Media Law firm, Media Arts Lawyers, hosted a panel of specialist lawyers providing an opportunity for Australian artist managers to meet and make global connections and contacts for their artists and business. The international lawyers include; Nicky Stein, (UK firm Clintons), Craig Averill (US firm, Serling Rooks Ferrara McKoy & Worob), Renee Karalian and Janine Small (Carrol, Guido & Groffman) and Ben Mawson (UK firm SSB).
The Wholefoods Market stage also kicked off on the Thursday with three incredibly Aussie acts offering up some sweet tunes to go with whatever organic, gluten free goodness was being served up on that balmy Austin afternoon. The Twerps, Ange Boxall and Kim Churchill did SOUNDS AUSTRALIA proud, and set the bar high for the next two days of ‘Tastes and Tunes’.
Stay close to our website for updates on the rest of our Austin adventures, including the largest day/night party of SXSW – the Aussie BBQ took over Maggie Maes again, bigger and better than ever before….