The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.

Taking Contemporary Australian Music To The Country

The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, today announced support of $136,962 for 14 tours as part of the Australian Government's Contemporary Music Touring Program. 

'The Australian Government recognises the importance of supporting contemporary Australian music and these incentives provide the opportunity for bands to depart from their usual touring routes,' Senator Kemp said.

'Our investment in this program is continuing to deliver contemporary home-grown music to regional audiences and providing longer term benefits for performers.'

Previous recipients have praised the opportunities offered by the program including the commercial benefits, strengthened industry partnerships and the positive experiences they have had playing to new audiences.

The funded tours include:

• a joint tour by country artists Neil Higgins, The Blowflys and Kenny Joe Blake playing traditional Australian style music to 25 venues in regional Victoria;
• a tour by hip hop band Fizard to 27 venues across Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Tasmania to support the release of the band's debut album; and
• a tour of world music production The Temple Project, which creates new music from ancient methods.  The tour includes workshops in traditional Jewish music to 12 venues in Queensland and New South Wales.

This brings to 66 the number of bands assisted by the program, now in its third year.  Funding of $1 million is being provided over four years.

A full list of the latest round of grant recipients can be found at www.dcita.gov.au 

CANBERRA
19 November 2004
Media contact:            Adrian Chippindale, 02 6277 7350 or 0407 208 743