The Victorian Music Development Office (VMDO) is proud to present the inaugural Music Data and Insights Summit at Collingwood Yards from 28 – 29 April 2025.
VMDO General Manager Kirsty Rivers sees Australia’s music industry as a cultural and economic powerhouse – it generates jobs, drives tourism, enriches communities and shares stories across the country.
“It is important that we understand the latest music industry research, trends and insights so that policies, regulation and investment that affect the sector remain current and relevant,” said Rivers.
“The VMDO is pleased to present our new summit and know it will be a thought-provoking and illuminating catalyst for new ideas to inspire and inform music professionals, academics, governments and others.”
Over two days the summit will feature keynotes, panels and presentations covering a range of topics including live music venue data, workplace skills trends, music consumer insights and analysis of the streaming economy.
Monday 28 April 2025 – from 9.00am
Guests will be welcomed and guided through the two days by summit MC, the award-winning music journalist and broadcaster Sosefina Fuamoli.
Victorian Music Industry Advisory Council member, Neil Morris will start the summit by delivering a keynote presentation on the value of insights from a cultural and First Nations perspective.
UK-based music strategist Chris Carey will discuss global music trends and unpack the 2024 UK Live Report with Bolster Group’s Paige X. Cho.
Lauren Mullings (Multicultural Arts Victoria) and Leah Avene (Co Culture) will reflect on how the resilience of musicians and music workers of colour is driving industry transformation.
Doctor Ben Green from the Music Industry Research Collective and RMIT University will provide an update on Australian live music research and highlight the gaps in knowledge and priorities for future work.
Associate Professor Dave Carter, Doctor Catherine Hoad and Associate Professor Jani KT Wilson will share key findings from research led by Massey University that measures the value of live performance across Aotearoa.
Following the launch of its new research, Rain, Heat, Repeat, Green Music Australia CEO Berish Bilander and Miranda Nicol (Untitled Group) will discuss how festivals and the broader industry can respond to growing challenges using data, storytelling and collaboration.
Learn about how data can influence change with some of Australia’s key music policy makers, when Nicholas Pickard (APRA AMCOS) moderates a panel with Millie Millgate (Music Australia), Meg Williams (Creative Victoria) and Emily Collins (Sound NSW).
Robert Baxter from The Push will moderate a debate about music data versus working with a vibe. Team Data includes Louis Parkinson (Xelon Digital), Charlotte Sterenberg (Musicologist) and Marcke De Vera (William Morris Endeavor) and Team Vibe is made up of Nathan Gunn (Ecstatic! Management), Anika Luna (Triple J) and Claire Qian (Media Arts Lawyers).
Tuesday 29 April 2025 – from 9.00am
Day two of the summit will start with Associate Professor Catherine Strong from RMIT University launching the new VMDO research: Skills & Roles – Support workers in Victorian music industries.
Strong will discuss the research findings with a panel including Rachel Simoons (Service and Creative Skills Australia – SaCSA), Doctor Ash King (Support Act), Doctor Ben Eltham (CrewCare and Monash University) and Associate Professor Jani K. T. Wilson (University of Canterbury).
Music industry researcher and analyst Tim Kelly will use ARIA chart and revenue data to explore the economics of the streaming age and Chris Carey will return to talk about how slow money in the streaming economy has affected artist development.
To round off the summit, Music Australia will launch the first of three Listening In reports: Insights on live music attendance.
A panel of industry experts will discuss the findings in the live music attendance report, including Michael Christidis (Untitled Group), Nathan Farrell (CLBR), Doctor Christen Cornell (Creative Australia) and Claire Qian (The Push).
The Music Australia session will include:
• Millie Millgate (Music Australia) talking about the role of research
• Rebecca Mostyn (Creative Australia) giving an overview of music research projects
• Belinda Balhatchet (Creative Australia) highlighting key findings from the Listening In: Insights on live music attendance report
• A panel discussion on the live attendance report
• A networking reception
The Music Data and Insights Summit is delivered by the VMDO and supported by Music Australia and the Music Industry Research Collective (MIRC).
VMDO Music Data and Insights Summit will take place at the Collingwood Yards on 28 – 29 April 2025. For more information and to register, visit: www.vmdo.com.au for details.