Australians say they love homegrown music, but when it comes to what they actually listen to or see live, the numbers tell another story.

That’s the key finding of the final instalment of Listening In, a major research initiative from Music Australia released today.

The three-part series, delivered by Creative Australia and sector stakeholders explores Australians’ engagement with music across live attendance, discovery and consumption.

Drawing on thousands of survey responses, Nielsen data, and focus groups, the series reveals a consistent gap between audience sentiment and behaviour. As Music Australia Director Millie Millgate puts it, “Australian audiences are telling us they want more local music. If we want a thriving and sustainable music industry, then we all really need to seek out and support local artists.”

Photo © Tijs van Leur/Unsplash

The research finds 71 percent of music-engaged audiences say they feel pride when they hear Australian music, and two in three (66 percent) want to hear more. But only one in three actively seek it out with over half of respondents admitting they “don’t know where to find out...