The Australian Music Industry Network (AMIN) is launching a brand new free network aimed at connecting live music venues with Australian artists, industry professionals and tour managers.

Ella Thompson at Bellingen Showground Hall. Photo © Sara Jayne Prince

The Australian Music Touring Network will offer a national, map-based directory for venues that host live music, aimed at simplifying the process of choosing tour destinations across metropolitan and regional Australia.

The Network is currently open for venue registrations, and the full public directory will be made available later this year.

Eligible venues are any location that presents live contemporary music on a regular basis, including dedicated concert venues, pubs and clubs, community halls and cafes.

“Touring is the lifeblood of our industry, and knowing where to take your music and who to connect with is essential to every artist,” said Emily Tulloch, Acting General Manager of AMIN.

“The Australian Music Touring Network connects artists to venues, and promotes touring and industry relationships across the country. I’m really proud to be working on a project that addresses equity of access to information, and provides the tools needed to form the relationships that underpin successful touring.”

AMIN comprises Australia’s state and territory music bodies – MusicACT, MusicNT, MusicNSW, Music Victoria, MusicSA, Music Tasmania, QMusic and WAM.

The news follows a spate of venue closures, particularly across the Sydney area – Dulwich Hill’s Lazy Thinking, Erskineville’s The MoshPit, and Circular Quay’s Mary’s Underground among the latest victims of rising financial pressures.

Venues can register for the Australian Music Touring Network here.