Returning program to boost local live scene

AN initiative aimed at strengthening Ballarat’s live music scene is set to return for its third year.

Run by the City of Ballarat, the Be Hear Now program is based around mentoring and promoting the region’s musicians with this year’s theme focusing on upcoming artists.

With $50,000 provided by the municipality and with a new conference for the 2023 initiative, Cr Daniel Moloney said Be Hear Now is about giving performers a leg up.

“With the conference, we can have some of the industry’s big names including Spotify giving local artists tips on how to get recognised not only here in the Victorian market but globally,” he said.

“We want to build up local artists here. We know they’ll go onto bigger and better things interstate and hopefully around the world.

“We hope people do get out and see more live music because for anywhere between $10 and $20 you can see some great local acts.”

This year’s Be Hear Now acts were announced last week and feature psychedelic folk duo Pyrex, electro-western group Confetti Western, pop soloist Cassells, rapper Sami, as well as Iridescence Duo.

The program is set to offer industry input, mentoring and live performance opportunities, with the upcoming conference set to take place at the Goods Shed on Friday, 30 June.

Paula Maki is one of the initiative’s two live music coordinators and said the acts highlight the variety of Ballarat’s music scene.

“There’s a real mix of people and I think that’s great,” she said. “It shows there’s a really large diversity of musicians in Ballarat.

“We don’t always know about everybody, I think because with the scene you sort of work a lot in silos and everybody sticks to their own groups.

“What we’re trying to do is say to people you need to stay in Ballarat because there’s so much going on here, we just don’t know about each other.”

The conference will include a panel discussion led by performer Nkechi Anele as well as networking opportunities and workshops and masterclasses from organisations like Spotify and Australian music body APRA AMCOS.

Pyrex member Jordan Hicks took part in last year’s Be Hear Now and said he hopes the conference will be a great way to build connections and get their name out.

“Ballarat’s a small scene and you don’t get a lot of chance to cross paths with everybody,” he said.

“It’s good it’s bringing everyone together and introducing us to new people in terms of musicians and bands.

“I’ve done some conference stuff in the past and it’s always been really beneficial for making mutually-beneficial connections.”

Tickets to the conference can be found at the Creative Ballarat website.