Earlier this month, Education Minister Peter Garrett joined NSW live music venue Playbar in the fight against Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon, who has been threatening the security of the Surry Hills bar located just beneath her offices, after lodging multiple noise complaints to Sydney City Council against the newly established venue.

Now the Australian rock legend turned politician will give the keynote address at the inaugural event for TILT (Tomorrow’s Ideas Leading Today), an initiative of The Australian Institute of Music bringing together some of Australia’s brightest minds in entertainment to discuss the future of the industry in the face of rapidly changing technology.

The event takes place on Friday July 5th at the Australian Institute of Music (AIM) in Surry Hills.

With a background as the front-man for Midnight Oil and as a passionate campaigner on a range of global issues, Peter Garrett brings to the forum a diverse and culturally vibrant background across the arts, politics and humanitarian issues. His perspective as musician, politician and global activist will set the stage for an impressive collection of speakers to come.

“The Australian Institute of Music will provide the perfect stage for the Tomorrow’s Ideas Leading Today initiative,” said Peter Garrett. “There are some exciting opportunities ahead for the arts industries to capitalise on future technologies and innovations. This is a great time for artists to come together and explore those opportunities together.”

The speech will be complementary to Garrett’s ongoing Labor Loves Live Music campaign, that has seen the minister get down and dirty with some of the biggest issues facing live music. ”Our city should have heaps of places available for musicians of all genres to play,” Garrett said at the launch of the campaign. “Even in a digital world, being on a stage in front of an audience is essential for most musicians to express their craft and build an audience, and of course make a living.”

The Australian Institute of Music has gathered together some of the brightest young minds in the entertainment industry to form its inaugural TILT forum, the first of a series of events inspired by the fascinating formats of TED Talks and ABC’s Q&A.

“There are some exciting opportunities ahead for the arts industries to capitalise on future technologies and innovations.” – Peter Garrett

In the face of torrenting, streaming radio, mobile hardware and the ever-growing phenomenon of viral sharing, the industry has some challenges to face and some very interesting problems to solve.

And who better to put their minds to the task than young professionals who live and breathe the Australian entertainment industry, and who work with the cutting edge of technology in high-level, strategic roles.

Head of Entertainment Management at AIM, Rob Cannon says “We’re thrilled that Peter Garrett will be involved in TILT as its keynote speaker. As someone who’s been such a pivotal part of the musical and cultural landscape in Australia over the past several decades, as well as playing an important role in education, he’s seen – and brought about – many changes over the years. As such, his insights into the future of music and entertainment will certainly make fascinating listening.”

Hosted by television presenter James Mathison, the forum will see experienced and innovative entertainment professionals argue for a big idea they feel passionately about in a 20-minute talk in front of an audience. The talks are then offered up to the room, forming the backbone of a think-tank style open forum where speakers and attendees alike can debate and share their opinions.

The event will also feature industry ‘speed dating’ workshops where attendees can talk one on one with experts from the fields of A&R, Touring, Marketing, Production and Management within the entertainment industry. Attendees will be offered a fantastic opportunity to learn some tips and tricks of the trade straight from the source.

TILT aims to inspire participants with fresh perspectives on the entertainment industry with a focus on technological innovation and rethinking processes and conventions in the light of new technological developments.

The speakers so far include: Ianto Ware – National Live Music Coordinator for Sounds Australia – the new federal government music marketing initiative, speaking on economics and emo: music scenes, audiences and the digital age. Colin Blake – CEO of the Australian division of global digital music giant, Rdio, will speak about consumption, ownership and interaction: the impact and value of streaming services in the next decade. He’s joined by fellow streaming heavyweight Thomas Heymann, managing director of Deezer in Australia and New Zealand, who brings a background in economics, music management and strategic marketing to the event to discuss the Global perspective of the music business; taking your band, your music, and your career to the global stage.

Rhys Thomas, Senior Agency Manager for Google, who works with Australia’s top ad agencies to consult and develop effective digital strategies using Google products, will talk on the current and future Google world. Luke Hopewell, Australian editor of top technology and consumer electronics news and reviews site Gizmodo, will talk on the breakdown of audience and the new way people will pay for music online.

And Danny Yau – head of Foxtel’s digital department for music and lecturer in Digital Marketing at AIM will also have plenty to say about music in the digital age.

More big-name speakers and industry heavyweights are expected to be announced in June so make sure to book your place now, as tickets are limited. Stay tuned into AIM’s website:http://www.aim.edu.au/ for more information.

Sonos will be giving one lucky TILT goer a PLAY:3 wireless all-in-one multi-room speaker, a Sonos BRIDGE connecting the system to your home internet, and a 12 month music subscription toRDIO, the premium on-demand music service for web, mobile and Sonos.

TILT is hosted by the Australian Institute of Music (AIM)

When: Friday July 5th, 2013, 10:30am – 5:00pm
Where: 1-55 Foveaux St, Surry Hills
Tickets: On sale Friday May 10th, eventbrite.com.au
$35 General Admission
$10 Students
INFO and Bookings: http://tilt2013.eventbrite.com.au/# and http://www.aim.edu.au/

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