If you just so happen to be an Aussie songwriter who’s looking to be inspired and join a community of like-minded artists, there’s only one suburb for you set up base camp. At least, according to APRA AMCOS’ latest annual postcode ranking.

For the second year in a row, the inner northern Melbourne suburb of Brunswick has come out on top as the number one destination for songwriters in Australia, with APRA AMCOS reporting that the suburb has the highest congregation of earning members.

The suburb took over the top spot from Northcote, home to several prominent Melbourne live music venues such as the Northcote Social Club. The suburb had held the number one spot for a decade, but now sits at number two for the second year running.

APRA AMCOS’ top 10 suburbs are rounded out by a mix of Melbourne and Sydney postcodes, including Newtown/Enmore, Coburg, Preston, Bondi, Fitzroy North/Clifton Hill, Marrickville, Surry Hills/Darlinghurst, and St Kilda. But all eyes ought to be on Footscray.

“Although Melbourne’s Inner North suburbs of Brunswick and Northcote have dominated the rankings again this year, Footscray’s nation-leading growth over the last year suggests Melbourne’s west is firmly establishing itself as a key national music hub,” said APRA AMCOS analyst Andrew Harris.

Image via APRA AMCOS

Looking at a breakdown of genres, Brunswick is a bustling hub of alternative, blues and roots, folk, classical, and pop rock songwriters. In fact, Brunswick was cited as a top suburb for songwriters of just about any genre.

A few surprising tidbits pop up when looking at the genre breakdown. For example, it may surprise some Aussie country lovers to learn that Northcote and not Tamworth is in fact Australia’s country music heartland, at least as far as songwriters are concerned.

Image via APRA AMCOS

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.
to Rolling Stone magazine
to Rolling Stone magazine