WAMFest 2017: New Coordinators, dates, applications & more!
WAMFEST 2017
► NEW COORDINATORS, DATES & OPPORTUNITIES
Freshly rebranded, WAMFest 2016 was a WAMazing four days, with record-breaking attendances seeing over 14,500 music lovers filling 26 music venues, including transformed spaces and even backyards. Over 160 WA acts played, showcasing the quality and diversity of WA’s vibrant musical landscape. It even took out the prestigious Australian Live Music Event Of The Year (Metro) category at the national The Au Awards. But we were still just getting started…
WAM WELCOMES NEW COORDINATORS
Firstly, a big thank you to Greg Sanders for his hard work as WAMFest Coordinator for the past three years, his work has been instrumental in reinventing WAMFest. Whilst these are big boots to fill, WAM are now excited to welcome Mark Neal and Simon ‘Skinny’ O’Leary as the new WAMFest Coordinators, promising to provide a festival that will knock your socks clean off.
Simon ‘Skinny’ O’Leary is the festival director of the all-ages music festival HyperFest for the City of Swan. Skinny has previously worked at Country Arts WA, Black Swan State Theatre Company and various other festivals, and has toured and tour managed acts throughout regional WA and Australia. Skinny’s band, Sail On! Sail On! have just self released their debut album and completed their third jaunt around the country’s stickiest floors.
“I’m incredibly excited to be joining the WAMily working on WAMFest with Mark over the next few years,” Skinny said, “We’re lucky to be taking the reigns from Greg Sanders, who achieved some awesome things as WAMFest Coordinator and has given us a running start to build from.”
Perth music stalwart Mark Neal is the brains behind bookings, management, production, media and publicity house Blue Grey Pink, supporting up and coming WA talent. Mark manages and plays guitar for alt poppers The Disappointed and fronts indie rockers Odlaw. He has worked at The Music, X-Press, HyperFest, UpBeat events… …WAMFest, and contributes at RTRFM. Mark has worked with WAM as both site manager and festival assistant under the previous WAMFest coordinator, and has been the go to tour manager for the WAM Wheatbelt Touring Circuit.
“WAM have been monumental in my career so far. If it wasn’t for Nigel and his regional programs, I probably wouldn’t have been able to find a place in this business. Working under Greg for the last three years has been enjoyable, as he brought new life to an old dog, and I look forward to now moving on to new tricks.”
CONTACT ► To discuss opportunities at WAMFest 2017, please email Skinny at skinny@wam.org.au and Mark at mark@wam.org.au.
LOCK IN KEY WAMFEST 2017 DATES
With new Coodinators now in place, and big ideas brewing, get set for an even more impressive celebration of WA music in 2017. We can’t reveal too much yet, but can sneak out a number of opportunities, and some of the key dates to fill your diary and ready yourself for good times with. Whether advancing your music career with the highly applauded music conference WAMCon, soaking up the incredible tunes coming out of this state at many of the free and ticketed events, or showcasing your wears, you’d best plan for the best WAMFest…
WAMFest Showcases ► Thursday 2 – Sunday 5 November
WAMAwards ► Thursday 2 November
WAMCon ► Friday 3 – Saturday 4 November
(more to come)
WAMFEST APPLICATIONS OPEN
WAMFEST APPLICATIONS OPEN.
Calling all talented folk who want to help set WA alight with the sound of super fine music! We’re seeking stellar acts, Kiss My WAMi CD song submissions, promoters, venues and more to a) take advantage of the incredible opportunities to advance your career that WAMFest 2017 will provide and b) ensure this year’s WAMFest once again has people extolling it to be “the best ever!”
APPLICATIONS: Must be submitted by Thursday 20 July.
ARTISTS
APPLY HERE
► We are currently seeking all movers and shakers in the contemporary music scene to showcase at WAMFest’s many events, from free public events like the Saturday Spectacular and Block Party, to industry-focused showcases and ticketed events across the weekend.
We’re seeking applications here from all styles and genres but special consideration will be given to artists who:
- Have been active on the live circuit over the last 12 months
- Have 30 mins of original material you can perform live
- Have a current / recent recorded release you can promote leading up the festival (single, EP or album). You must have concrete plans to launch your single/EP/album/video in the lead-up so we know you’ll be an act with momentum, helping attract bookers, label reps and other music industry speakers from around the world to check out your act.
- Have active social media accounts, plus up to date bio, promo shot and stage plot
All artists are also considered to be a part of the Kiss My WAMi compilation CD, which is distributed to industry representatives and the media ahead of WAMFest.
VENUES
APPLY HERE
► Got a killer venue that supports contemporary music in WA, wherever that might be? Want to get involved in WAMFest? Drop us a line using this form and we’ll be in touch with more details.
PROMOTERS
APPLY HERE
► We’re currently seeking expressions of interest from existing promoters of WA contemporary music to host and coordinate showcase events on Friday 3 November. Drop us a line using this form and we’ll be in touch with more details.
PARTNER WITH WAM:
USING MUSIC TO CONNECT WITH OUR FESTIVAL AUDIENCE
Want to get your brand in front of tens of thousands of people? This year’s WAMFest will be bigger and better than ever, reaching new audiences not only across Perth, but regionally as well.
WAMFest is a multi-faceted program of events and activities, attracting people of all age groups, and attracting equal numbers of men and women. If your business or organisation wants to be presented front and centre before our savvy, switched-on and engaged audience, let’s talk about partnerships.
We have a range of price points with commensurate benefits attached. Plus we also have plenty of brand activation ideas to really make your campaigns sing. Together, we can create a bespoke partnership package that meets your organisation’s objectives, delivers an outstanding ROI for your spend, and offers tangible outcomes, while your staff, stakeholders and guests engage with this celebration of WA artists.
CONTACT ► To find out more, please drop WAM Development Manager Georgia Kennedy a line on 08 9227 7962 or georgia@wam.org.au.
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