Sean Simmons on Press Play Presents, and the future of touring: ‘It’s going to be a good time for Australian music’

Former Premier Artists agent Sean Simmons presses play on his new touring agency.

Press Play Presents goes live this week with a roster including Mick Harvey (Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, PJ Harvey), Black Cab, Cash Savage & The Last Drinks, The Scientists, Cookin’ on 3 Burners, Kid Congo & the Pink Monkey Birds (Nick Cave, The Cramps, Gun Club), Lydia Lunch, Freya Josephine Hollick, Mick Thomas and others.

Based in Melbourne, Press Play Presents got a jump on business earlier in the year and was all set for an official launch in March.

Simmons organised four international tours into and out of the country between 1st January and 13th of March, when the coronavirus put a halt on live music.

“Those tours went really well,” Simmons tells TIO. “The first three months helped set me up.”

Check out the Kungs vs Cookin’ On 3 Burners remix:

While a return to full-scale touring is open to conjecture, Simmons is playing the long game. “Everyone’s resigned to the fact that 2020 is somewhat of a write-off, and you do any gig you can,” he explains.

There are opportunities artists who want to work, he insists.

Socially-distanced shows, limited-capacity gigs, virtual concerts, and drive-in shows are just a few angles that have emerged in recent months.

“Survival in the interim will come down to those who are able to innovate. And come up with creative ideas,” Simmons continues.

Simmons boasts 25 years’ experience in the music space, across radio, booking venues, curating events and festivals, and as an artist.

He served with Mushroom Group’s Premier Artists for seven years, prior to setting up his new, independent company.

In 2017, Simmons took on the task as Head of Programming for the Leaps & Bounds Music Festival. He reprised the position for the 2020 edition, which pivoted to a virtual format due to the heath crisis.

The outlook isn’t all gloomy. “We’re a little lucky, we’ll probably be ahead of the game (with the coronavirus). We’re isolated countries, with small populations,” notes Simmons.

“The rest of the world probably look to us for cues. Because a lot of international acts won’t be let in, it’s going to be a good time for Australian music.”

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.