The world music and roots showcases are part of the event’s move to engage musicians with 500 high-profile Australian and international music representatives from leading festivals, record labels, booking agencies and arts organisations from around the world heading to Melbourne.
Organisers say that benefits of showcases include national and international touring opportunities, bookings on international festivals, international agent representation and the chance to build new audiences.
Previous showcases have led to acts getting booked on to festivals as Glastonbury (UK), Fuji Rock (Japan), Winnipeg Folk Festival (Canada), Calgary Folk Music Festival (Canada), Montreal Jazz Festival (Canada), WOMAD, Sierra Nevada World Music Festival (USA Big Chill (UK) and Sfinks Mixed (Belgium) as well as the local Bluesfest, WOMADelaide, Woodford Folk, Port Fairy Folk, Boomerang, and Adelaide Festival of the Arts.
Promoter and artist manager Michael Chugg commented, “AWME gave us the best outcomes we have had for our Australian artists at a conference in Australia, no doubt about it.”
Australian acts that showcased in the past included Dan Sultan (pictured), Archie Roach, David Bridie, Jeff Lang, Blue King Brown, Frank Yamma, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Skipping Girl Vinegar, The Bamboos, Diafrix, Yung Warriors, The Last Kinection, Barefoot Divas, Ngaiire, The Medics, Saskwatch, Stiff Gins, Bart Willoughby, Stephen Pigram and Busby Marou. Also showcasing were those from Nigeria, New Zealand, USA, Jamaica, Mali, Ethiopia, UK, Réunion Island, Solomon Islands and PNG.
Showcase submissions are through awme.com.au.
