BEATS 25: Building the Next Generation of Music Makers
 
Applications are now open for BEATS 25, the Band Enabling and Training Sound-Lab, a new initiative supporting young and emerging musicians, producers, and music industry enthusiasts across NSW.

BEATS offers participants online mentoring, songwriting support through I Heart Song Writing Club, and a five-day Sound-Lab intensive in Deniliquin, culminating in a two-day festival and Battle of the Bands. The winning act will perform live on stage at the iconic Deni Ute Muster.

This program provides hands-on experience in performance, sound engineering, event management, and marketing, while connecting participants with industry professionals and peers.

EOIs are open now for those aged 15–27 who are passionate about a career in music.

HOW TO APPLY & GET MORE INFO

 

The Band Enabling and Training Sound-Lab (BEATS) is a new initiative supporting young and emerging musicians and music industry enthusiasts (aged 15–27) in NSW. If you make music solo, are part of a band, or are interested in other areas of the music industry and would like to make it your career we want to hear from you!

 

BEATS offers participants the chance to participate in a 5-day intensive music industry mentorship program & sound-lab at the Deniliquin Ute Muster festival site, and features an online mentoring experience in the lead up to the in person program. The mentoring intensive will culminate in a weekend festival event and Battle of the Bands, with the winning act earning a performance on stage at the 2026 Deni Ute Muster.

This is an exciting opportunity to get hands-on experience led by amazing industry professionals and artists.
It will build and expand upon your skills in song making and performance or other crucial skills like marketing, event management, and stage production. You’re invited to connect with professionals and peers – who also live for making a more musical world – in an exciting environment that will build community and careers.

Ideally Music & Performance Stream applicants will be able to demonstrate some experience in the music industry, e.g. Playing covers, making music, song writing, DJing, or other live performance. Technical Training & Business & Industry Stream applicants may have an interest or experience with stage production, recording, live performance, technical production, lighting, audio engineering, etc.

Ideal applicants will be committed to attending and engaging with online sessions and be able to attend the intensive from 23rd – 27th March 2026 as well as the weekend Festival on 28th & 29th March 2026. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to contribute to shaping the festival and program with their input and involvement. This will help tailor BEATS to the participants’ needs and help everyone get the most out of the experience.

  1. Three Training Streams
    Core Music & Performance Skills: instrument proficiency, songwriting, stage presence, collaboration, live sound basics.
    Behind-the-Scenes Technical Training: live sound engineering, lighting, stage management, recording & production.
    Business & Industry Knowledge: booking gigs, touring, marketing & promotion, publishing, rights, merchandise, fundraising, event management.

BEATS offers:

  • Online industry mentoring before the event and song writing program with I Heart Song Writing Club
  • Workshops with industry professionals.
  • An exciting environment to build connections with your peers.
  • Hands-on training in music performance, sound engineering, event management, and marketing.
  • A 5-day live-in Sound-Lab intensive at the Deniliquin Ute Muster festival site.
  • A 2-day festival event and Battle of the Bands, with the winning act earning a performance on stage at the Deni Ute Muster.

Key Dates

  • 10 September 2025 – Participants EOI’s Opens
  • November 2025 – Successful participants Announced, Participants onboarded
  • December 2025 – Online components begin
  • 23rd – 27th March 2026 – Sound-Lab intensive in Deniliquin
  • 28th & 29th March 2026 – BEATS Festival Event

Who Should Apply?

  • People Aged 15 – 27
  • Young musicians (solo artists, bands, or ensembles).
  • Aspiring non-musician industry professionals: sound engineers, producers, or lighting/production crew.
  • Emerging event managers, promoters, and marketers.
  • Youth who want to learn more about building a career in the live music industry.

We encourage applications from:

  • First Nations young people
  • Youth from regional and rural NSW
  • LGBTIQA+ participants
  • Culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
  • People with disability

I Heart Songwriting Club (IHSC)

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