This State We’re In #694

Dearest Forte friends!
We hope you’re all keeping warm and rugging up when en route to all the great live music that’s been happening over this chilly month! I know we went on about CHANGES Conference & Festival a lot last month but it was such a great few days, we just had to tell you all about how it went down (and why you should all come along next year).
The conference and festival was officially held over two days, with local and international speakers focusing on new and innovative ideas and current states of play within the music industry worldwide.
Speakers included Jenn Pelly (Pitchfork), Cherie Hu (Billboard & Forbes), Joseph Edward Keyes (Bandcamp) and Alex Zaccaria (Bolster) all inspiring the audience with their wealth of knowledge within their areas of expertise. There was an overwhelming desire from the listeners to learn and discover new ways of thinking about where our industry is headed in relation to audience development and engagement, technology, diversity and marketing.
There was a particular focus on interactive sessions and opportunities for all sides of the industry to actively learn and gain knowledge for individual benefit which was particularly beneficial to everyone attending. Being its first year, it was an incredible event and we can’t wait for how it develops next year.
Music Victoria’s Regional Showcase at the Grace Darling Hotel as part of CHANGES was a fantastic event (the best, we reckon!). It was great to see so many people attend and support such incredible artists from all over regional Victoria, and all the artists performed killer sets including Bones and Jones, Nancie Schipper, Yergurl, Chapel and White Bleaches. Curated by Shaun Adams (Karova Lounge, The Barwon Club Hotel) the diversity of acts was especially exciting, with the audience listening intently, head-bopping, and then dancing.
So, if you missed out on all this fun, it’ll be back next year so make sure you keep an eye out and jump on it as soon as it’s announced.
We’re looking forward to jumping into all the gigs this month to keep warm and hope you are too!
Until next time rockers,
Al & The Music Vic Crew
Member Moment
Nancie Schipper
One of our newest members, and also one of the great artists who performed as part of our CHANGES Regional Showcase, is the wonderful Nancie Schipper! She has just released a new song, ‘Long Fall’ that all of us in the office are obsessed with. It’s available to listen to on all the things (Spotify/Apple Music) and we suggest you go and listen to it RIGHT NOW!
Gig of the month
Sean McMahon at Major Tom’s, Kyneton on Saturday August 11
One of Victoria’s finest songwriters and live performers Sean McMahon has just this week released a wonderful, country laden ballad ‘Spring’. Luckily for us, Sean will be making his way across the state this August to plug this great new single, including an intimate show at Kyneton’s favourite music hall Major Tom’s on Saturday 11 August.