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 had a chat with AWME alumni Chelsea Wilson to hear about her experience playing AWME and how it’s shaped her career.
Playing AWME
“I headlined the APRA outdoor stage at the Arts Centre on a Saturday afternoon last year and the weather was awful! Due to the impending rain and stormy they put all the acts on earlier to try and beat the weather. I was quite worried that due to the weather and time changes all the delegates I’d invited would miss my set but luckily everyone braved the gale and the show went on!
“Malcom Haynes from Glastonbury Festival UK had rushed right on to the stage seconds after the final song to ask me to play at the festival in 2015”I performed for a real mix of people – friends, family, fans and delegates. My album I Hope You’ll Be Unhappy Without Me was released last August so the AWME show in November was excellent timing for me. It was the first Melbourne gig post my album launch so there were a lot of people who wanted to hear the tracks live and the AWME promo was wonderful and created a nice buzz for my set. I was honoured to be invited to play at AWME and was quite excited.”
Opportunities From Playing AWME
“One opportunity presented itself seconds after my gig! I had just finished my set and turned around to thank my band when I felt a hand on my arm – it was Malcom Haynes from Glastonbury Festival UK who had rushed right on to the stage seconds after the final song to ask me to play at the festival in 2015.
He asked me if I had a card or a CD to give him right then and there but I didn’t have my handbag on the stage of course! Fortunately he patiently waited side of stage while I chatted to people in the audience who wanted to buy my album before I could chat to him about the festival.
It was an incredible feeling and I was so excited! I was thrilled in the first place just to be on the AWME line up so anything else I thought would be a huge bonus. I had applied in previous years and not got a slot.
I have attended AWME for the past five or so years as a delegate and panel speaker on behalf of PBS through my role as Music Manager and had my secret dream of being on the line up as a musician for quite some time! So my approach was to just do the best show possible, learn as much as possible from the conference panels, network and be merry with fellow delegates and if any opportunities came up for shows post AWME extra bonus!
I’m looking forward to being part of AWME again this year as a delegate and also a performance slot in my ‘other’ career as a DJ.”
Playing Glastonbury Festival
“I was beyond thrilled to play at Glastonbury Festival and it was an opportunity that meant so much to me. The festival enabled me to book other UK shows including a gig at London’s Jazz Café (which I’d always wanted to do!) and a gig at Bizz’Art Club in Paris. I did a stack of radio spots in London which I loved, met some great people and got to catch up with my British family.”
How Playing AWME Has Benefitted Chelsea’s Career
“I don’t want to sound philosophical but I try and not to think of things such as ‘benefits’ to my career. I worked really hard on my album and I work hard on my live show and try to celebrate the positive moments as they happen and just enjoy music and the experience of being part of it.
To fly to the other side of the world and hear that people are digging my album is an incredible feeling and I was thrilled to be there. I guess what I’m saying is don’t know if there are ‘benefits’ gained, but the AWME showcase enabled me to have some brilliant experiences I will never forget!”
Advice For Future AWME Artists
“Don’t think too much about who is in the crowd, just do your gig and be yourself. If you don’t get any festival offers etc after your showcase it doesn’t mean your music is awful, it just might not be the right fit for the particular events the delegates in the audience manage.
Do up some business cards that have download codes on them to hand out to delegates but take CDs (or vinyl!) too so you can ask the delegates what medium they prefer. Attend the panels. Push don’t punish! Chat to the delegates but don’t be too pushy.”
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
Chelsea will also be DJing at the following show:
AWME Presents Mojo Juju
Thursday 12 November
Max Watts, Melbourne
Mojo Juju
Emma Donovan & The Putbacks
Quarter Street
The Seven Ups
DJ Emma Peels
DJ Chelsea Wilson
MC Chris Gill
(7.30pm till 12am)
Tickets
