Regional Sounds at WA Music Week
Regional Sounds recently travelled to Fremantle for WA Music Week, joining artists, industry professionals, organisations and music lovers from across Western Australia for WAMCon and the Regional Gathering held the day prior.
The trip was made possible through the generous support of Nexus Airlines, who covered flights, with accommodation and some catering supported by WAM and Lotterywest.
The Regional Gathering provided a valuable opportunity to connect with other regional music organisations and practitioners, share experiences and discuss the opportunities and challenges facing musicians outside Perth. It also helped put Regional Sounds’ work into a broader state and national context.
Across WAMCon, we took part in conference sessions, industry talks, panels, masterclasses and networking events held at venues including Freo.Social, the Old Courthouse, Clancy’s Fish Bar, Wyola Bar and Honky Tonk Blues Club.
L-R: Arts Development Officer Sarah oresenting at the Regional Gathering, KAYPS and FLEWNT pop-up performance, RATSALAD love, merch and performance at The Buffalo Club as part of WA Showcase on the Saturday.
There were plenty of highlights throughout the week, including the launch of the new WA Gig Guide, the WA Showcase featuring Rat Salad, and a pop-up performance from KAYPS and Flewnt at the networking sundowner. An industry talk from Jenny Morris was another standout, offering insights from an extraordinary career in Australian music.
Jenny Morris, OAM MNZM, Chair of APRA
Perhaps most importantly, the week gave us an opportunity to better understand where Regional Sounds fits within the wider WA music ecosystem. Through conversations with industry leaders and other music organisations, it became clear that the Regional Sounds model is quite unique in Western Australia: a community music hub providing access to rehearsal space, equipment and professional support, while having a clear focus on music development and regional musicians as its primary beneficiaries.
That recognition reinforces the importance of continuing to build a sustainable model that works for regional artists — and of advocating for the infrastructure and opportunities they need to develop their careers.
So, what’s next?
Regional Sounds will continue following up on the 16 recommendations made by APRA to the Australian Government, including the recommendation to establish music hubs across the country. We’ll also continue creating practical opportunities for regional artists to develop, perform and promote their music, while building stronger connections between regional communities and the broader WA music industry.
WA Music Week was a valuable reminder that regional music is an essential part of the state’s music story — and there is plenty more work to do.