Premier and Arts Minister Anna Bligh has announced that six emerging Queensland bands will play to audiences across Australia in October and November with State Government touring assistance.
Music Industry conference Big Sound kicks off in Brisbane tonight and will run until to Thursday in Fortitude Valley.
Ms Bligh said while the ‘Brisbane Sound’ continued to resonate internationally, a new wave of musicians from across the state is sparking interest nationally.
“Power-pop group Grand Atlantic and alternative rock trio 26, two groups that embody the fresh approach labelled the Brisbane Sound, have been selected to showcase at Perth’s One Movement Festival next month,” The Premier said.
“Both groups are travelling west with support from Arts Queensland and will be playing alongside other emerging and established acts from across the globe, including fellow Queenslander Kate Miller-Heidke.
“Cairns band The Medics will also be on the road in October, joining Groundswell, a new Indigenous touring circuit comprising Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra that is supported by the arts agencies of the Australian, Queensland, Victorian and New South Wales Governments.”
Building on the popular performances of the Queensland acts at last year’s Australasian World Music Expo, Premier Bligh said three bands and a dance troupe had been invited to take part in the 2009 event this November.
“Bands Dubmarine, OKA Music, Kamerunga and Cape York-based dance troupe Injinoo will all feature at the Melbourne expo which attracts a prestigious delegate list of international and Australian festival directors and programmers, producers, music media and agents,” Ms Bligh said.
“Helping performers showcase and perform across Australia is an integral component of Press Play, Arts Queensland’s four-year (2009-2012) strategy to support Queensland’s contemporary music industry.”
Press Play focuses on fostering a healthy live music scene, cultivating emerging musicians, maintaining links with local audiences and building partnerships with key national and international industry heavyweights.
“With Press Play, the Government hopes to provide many musicians with the early support they need to establish successful careers,” said the Premier.
“Artists we have already helped along the way include Kate Miller-Heidke, Tyrone Noonan, The Boat People, Operator Please, Emma Dean, Jackie Marshall, Georgia Corowa and Tjuppuru.”
Media contact: 07 3224 4500
09 September 2009
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