Newcastle Music Week is the largest and most unique event of its type on the Australian musical landscape. This cultural and educationally based event encompasses a week of live music, workshops, seminars, and an Industry Showcase that highlights the quality of the Hunter's emerging artists. The festival is coordinated by staff and students of the Music Industry courses offered by TAFE NSW Hunter Institute. Newcastle Music Week is now in its fifth successful year.

Many of Australia's leading Industry Representatives will be on hand to conduct the seminars and the workshops, and to judge the Industry Showcase.

Representatives from music publishing companies (EMI, ABC and Universal), record labels (Shock and Roadrunner) and booking agencies (Harbour and Chugg Entertainment) are all actively involved on an annual basis. Former workshop facilitators have included Renee Geyer, Rob Hirst, Ben Gillies, Tony Mott, Chit Chat and Bob Spencer.

Live music and its appreciation is a main focus of the week. All styles and attitudes are welcome and this year Blues and Roots, Punk, Hip Hop/ Electronica, Metal, Rock, World, Ska, Rockabilly and Big Band will be featured. Artists such as Jade MacRae, Tyrone Noonan, The Porkers, Braxton and Daysend have shared the stage during Newcastle Music Week with local and emerging acts.

All events are promoted during Newcastle Music Week via our media sponsors. These include Print - The Newcastle Herald (Fairfax) and The Post (Fairfax); Broadcast - NBN Television (Channel 9 Affiliate) and New FM. Events are also promoted via our website and utilising street based promotional strategies.

As always we are happy to facilitate any headlining act, workshop or seminar participant in terms of accommodation, travel and expenses. Infrastructure and schedules are provided and our aim is to look after our guests.

If you would like to express an interest in participating in Newcastle Music Week '07, please contact christina.sykiotis@tafe.nsw.edu.au

Newcastle Music Week 2006

NMW 2006 saw over 185 eager and enthusiastic TAFE students gain invaluable experience and take advantage of numerous networking opportunities within the music industry. The local, national and international music industry professionals that participated in NMW 2006 were again astounded that the event was so successful. Many have already committed to participating again in 2007 and have provided us with invaluable feedback. NMW 2006 was a great chance for Newcastle businesses to network and exchange ideas and products. It also provided a platform to raise the Newcastle Music Industry to a national level. Since NMW 2004, we have been in constant communications with national and local music industry representatives and professionals.

National Music Industry Professionals that participated in NMW 2006 included Rob Hirst (Midnight Oil), Travis Demsey (ex Living End), Shauna Jensen (International artist), Bruce Mathiske (guitar virtuoso), Afro Moses (international artist) and Chit Chat (MGF manager/presenter Music Max).

NMW 2006 has created opportunities for businesses and for showcasing Newcastle as the "New music capital" of Australia. It has also created employment for musicians and students in the national music arena.

NMW 2006 increased the community's awareness of the local live music industry and allowed the community to experience the vibe of a music festival. The opening gig at Beamuont Street was attended by families with young children, musicians, youth and adults, who came along to enjoy what live music has to offer.

NMW 2006 focused on the live music scene. Opportunity was afforded to original live acts to perform to audiences that they otherwise would not have had access to.

We would like to see the event continue to grow and evolve into a yearly event similar to the Tamworth Country Music Festival. In doing this we not only want to build the reputation of Newcastle as a 'live music capital', but we aim to lift Newcastle's profile and help the tourist industry, encouraging economic growth and opportunities for our youth. We wish to create employment opportunities in the event management and live music industries, particularly in our region.