Situated in the heart of Melbourne, AWME is a three-day music conference and expo set to foster industry connections for up and coming roots artists, that occurs annually in November. Dedicated fans flock into various venues across Melbourne, as the intimate lineup of artists perform various evening shows in front of industry professionals to help showcase their talent.
Boasting multiple days of music conference sessions, workshops, as well as various national and international guest speakers from leading festivals, booking agencies and record labels, the Australasian Worldwide Music Expo is rife with testimonials from artists and fans alike, praising the establishment of network connections as well as opportunities for fresh faces to network with industry associates and play in front of eager fans.
We recently sat down and had a chat with AWME alumni Nicky Bomba (Bustamento, Melbourne Ska Orchestra) to share his experiences, as well as the impact the festival has made on his career as a musician.
Playing AWME
“We’ve played it three or four times across the years. It’s one of my favourites because of the cultural diversity of the acts, as well as being part of our home town.” He mentions, showing his admiration for the diversity the festival brings into his backyard.
AWME Experience
“We played in the main venue, the Hi Fi bar, with Bustamento and the Melbourne Ska Orchestra.” reminiscing Bomba. “Every gig was jam packed and the crowds were extra responsive. I think there’s real sense of celebration at these events because of the amount of good music on offer.”
Opportunities Scored After Playing AWME
Bomba recalls how fruitful the festival has been over the years. “We managed to secure some key overseas dates which created a foothold to expand the tour and reach more people. Getting to know the organisers was great too as you can get a real insight into what they are really looking for.” He states.
He recalls that the shows acted as a springboard for forthcoming international tours. “We basically kicked off our Canadian/USA tour on the back of shows secured at AWME. It was an essential part of the journey.”
Advice Future AWME artists?
Bomba stresses that you need to be ready to present yourself with your best foot forward, as a lot of fans and industry professional’s alike have come a long way to see you perform. “Make sure your show is as tight as it can be. There a lot of key people there that can secure things on the spot.”
This year’s AWME kicks off from the 12th to the 14th of November at various venues around Melbourne including the Arts Centre, Max Watt’s and The Toff in town. Tickets
