AN initiative aimed at strengthening Ballarat\u2019s live music scene is set to return for its third year.<\/p>\n
Run by the City of Ballarat, the Be Hear Now program is based around mentoring and promoting the region\u2019s musicians with this year\u2019s theme focusing on upcoming artists.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the conference, we can have some of the industry\u2019s big names including Spotify giving local artists tips on how to get recognised not only here in the Victorian market but globally,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to build up local artists here. We know they\u2019ll go onto bigger and better things interstate and hopefully around the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope people do get out and see more live music because for anywhere between $10 and $20 you can see some great local acts.\u201d<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Paula Maki is one of the initiative\u2019s two live music coordinators and said the acts highlight the variety of Ballarat\u2019s music scene.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a real mix of people and I think that\u2019s great,\u201d she said. \u201cIt shows there\u2019s a really large diversity of musicians in Ballarat.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we\u2019re trying to do is say to people you need to stay in Ballarat because there\u2019s so much going on here, we just don\u2019t know about each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Pyrex member Jordan Hicks took part in last year\u2019s Be Hear Now and said he hopes the conference will be a great way to build connections and get their name out.<\/p>\n
\u201cBallarat\u2019s a small scene and you don\u2019t get a lot of chance to cross paths with everybody,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s good it\u2019s bringing everyone together and introducing us to new people in terms of musicians and bands.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve done some conference stuff in the past and it\u2019s always been really beneficial for making mutually-beneficial connections.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tickets to the conference can be found at the Creative Ballarat website.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AN initiative aimed at strengthening Ballarat\u2019s 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\u2019s musicians with this year\u2019s theme focusing on upcoming artists. With $50,000 provided by the municipality and with a new […]<\/p>\n