2021 Program
Mon 6 Dec
AAM ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
[10:15 AM - 12:30 PM AEDT]
Tues 7 Dec
MANAGEMENT 101: THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF AN ARTISTS TEAM
[1:00 PM - 2:45 PM AEDT]
Speakers: Jess Beston, Stephen Wade and Michelle Porto. Moderated by Greg Carey.
This panel will explore what it means to manage an artists career from inception to success and explore the manifold aspects of what one needs to put in place to do so effectively. Long term Artist Manager Jess Beston will join a panel of team members around the act HOLY HOLY to explore the relationship and how they each co-ordinate, strategise and support each other to deliver a long term career for the band from a management framework. Many aspects of sustaining a management practice will be explored, alongside the key factors in developing and nurturing great relationships, maintaining a personal life and working together to achieve strong outcomes for all parties involved.
Wed 8 Dec
SOUNDS AUSTRALIA X AAM PRESENTS: TOURING THE UK & EUROPE IN A PANDEMIC
[9:00 AM - 10:30 AM AEDT]
Speakers: Dan Medland, Simone Ubaldi. Renae Brown and Ben Madden, Moderated by Dom Alessio.
With restrictions beginning to ease, borders starting to open, and more Australians looking to tour internationally, what can we learn from those who have already started travelling abroad? Presented by Sounds Australia in partnership with the Association of Artist Managers, moderated by Sounds Australia’s Dom Alessio, this virtual panel will feature speakers who've worked on 2021 UK & Europe tours for Amyl & The Sniffers, The Chemical Brothers and Passenger, as well as events such as Americanafest UK. You’ll hear what it takes to put on a COVID safe and compliant tour, what it’s like being in the UK and Europe right now, and what you need to consider to start preparing for your own activity. The panel will feature Ben Madden (Stage Manager, The Chemical Brothers), Dan Medland (Artist Manager, Passenger), Renae Brown (Festivals & Event Manager, Arby Projects), Simone Ubaldi (Artist Manager, Amyl & The Sniffers)
VMDO X AAM PRESENTS: BLOCKCHAIN, NFTS, DECENTRALISATION; STARTER PACK (PART I)
[10:30 AM - 11:30 AM AEDT]
Speakers: Reggie Ba-Pe III. Moderated by Maggie Collins
Today it’s all about tech! Together with VMDO, we’re going to deep-dive into blockchain technology, Web 3.0 and how decentralisation has the potential to create a utopian future for artists. In this world, there’s a dwindling need for middle-men, thus creating a ‘Sovereign Artist’. But the question is; how does a manager fit into that picture? In Part 1, we’ll be getting things super clear. If you’re new to blockchain or crypto, or have never even heard of Web 3.0, we’ll be breaking down the basics and terminology in a way that’s easy to digest.
VMDO X AAM PRESENTS: BLOCKCHAIN, NFTS, DECENTRALISATION; THE POSSIBILITIES (PART II)
[1:00 PM - 2:30 PM AEDT]
Speakers: Joel Connolly, Sean Gardner, Alex Iveson and Rhianna Patrick. Moderated by Maggie Collins.
In Part 2 of today’s Think Tank, presented by VMDO, we’re going to explore what’s truly possible in a future, decentralised world. We’ll address the speed of change, but also the fact that we are still in the early days of this development. We’ll study the building blocks and explore what they could be used for. What should managers understand and learn today? What should managers implement immediately? And what should they implement over the next 12 months? All possibilities will be explored.
Thur 9 Dec
AAM X DIGI YOUTH ARTS PRESENTS: IN CONVERSATION: THELMA PLUM & HEATH BRADBY
[10:00 AM - 11:30AM AEDT]
Speakers: Thelma Plum and Heath Bradby. Moderated by Bianca Hunt.
Thelma Plum is a Gamilaraay woman, musician and creator. Her debut album Better In Blak is one of the most successful albums of 2019, nominated for 7 Arias and spawning 3 Platinum and one Gold singles. The title track “Better in Blak” came in the top 10 of the Triple J Hottest 100, the highest result for an Indigenous artist ever. In this conversation, Thelma sits down with her long time manager, Heath Bradby, and unpacks the dynamics of thier enduring working relationship and how they have together navigated strong changes of fortune and prevailed to foster one of the most important artist careers of the past decade. This insightful discussion will be led by founder of AGNT BLAK, Bianca Hunt, and co-presented by Digi Youth Arts.
COMMUNITY MATTERS: DOING MUSIC BUSINESS WITH A COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUS
[1:00 PM - 2:30 PM AEDT]
Speakers: Vyvienne Abla (Vyva Entertainment), Brother D & Andy Murnane (Dawn Raid) and MC Trey. Moderated by Tom Larkin.
From Western Sydney to South Auckland, community driven music scenes are growing rapidly. Driven by generations of artists who have established careers through instinct, entrepreneurial spirit and sharing resources, they have built layers upon layers from the ground up, often creating something from nothing, enabling others around them to grow, stand and speak to the world. Bringing together Manager Vyvienne Abla (Vyva Entertainment) and Artist MC Trey with Brother D and Andy Murnane from iconic NZ Hip Hop label / Management company, Dawn Raid (whose recent documentary film about the rise of NZ Hip Hop has been released to stunning reviews and accolades) to explore how celebrating success as a collective and developing infrastructure that supports and represents community is an emerging alternative to the traditional music industry, and one that cultivates a more sustainable and ethical pathway for artistry and music’s role in broader society.
Fri 10 Dec
IN CONVERSATION WITH BEN MAWSON (DUA LIPA, LANA DEL REY)
[10:00 AM - 11:30 AM AEDT]
Speakers: Ben Mawson and John Watson
John Watson (Eleven | JWM) in conversation with Ben Mawson, co-founder of Tap Music. Tap's artist roster includes some of the biggest names in music; Dua Lipa, Lana Del Rey, Ellie Goulding, Hailee Steinfeld and more.
MANAGERS ROUNDTABLE: DEBRIEF THE WEEK
[1:00 PM - 2:30 PM]
Speakers: Various speakers. Moderated by Leigh Treweek
A panel of participants and attendees will examine the insights and highlights of the conference, and table what they have found compelling about the week that was.