ARIA Week reveals 2021 program tackling ‘some of the industry’s biggest themes’
ARIA has revealed the line-up for 2021 ARIA Week, which kicks off on Friday, November 19.
ARIA Week is designed to celebrate Australian music, as well as draw attention to and create discussion around industry issues.
ARIA said this year’s event will take on a new format, presenting key discussions around some of the industry’s biggest themes heading into 2022.
Panels for the event will focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, cultural change, and promoting First Nations culture through music. There will also be a workshop on nurturing emerging artists and aspiring industry professionals.
Speakers include Miss Blanks, Nooky and Jack River, as well as industry leaders and executives such as Tony Bracy, Mardi Caught, Jaddan Comerford, Sian Van Der Muelen, Ricky Simandjuntak and Amber Horsborough.
The first day of ARIA Week is also Ausmusic T-Shirt Day, an initiative supported by artists including Jessica Mauboy, Jon Stevens, 5 Seconds of Summer, Amy Shark, Liam Cordiale and Neil Finn.
The virtual 2021 ARIA Awards will also take place during ARIA Week, on Wednesday November 24. The ceremony, along with the ARIA Week panels, will be streamed live on YouTube.
ARIA and PPCA CEO, Annabelle Herd, said it’s perhaps more important now than ever for ARIA to find a way to bring the industry together.
“Australian music is at a turning point and as such we wanted to curate events that acknowledge the work that has been done, while also guiding the conversation for the future,” she said. “We’re excited to say we have collaborated with some of the most exciting and innovative artists, leaders, industry professionals and third-party experts ready to talk about what they do best.
“Of course, ARIA Week is also about celebrating the incredible work and dedication of everyone involved in Australian music through another difficult year, which I’m sure is something we can all look forward to.”
The event is being supported by Heaps Normal, an independent Australian alcohol-free beer company.
Its CEO, Andy Miller, said the past couple of years have reminded everyone what they value the most.
“For Heaps Normal, live music is right up there at the top of that list,” he noted. “We’re hyped to be a partner of the ARIAs and honoured to play a small part in getting the Australian music community firing again.”
Full details of the program for ARIA Week 2021, including Nova’s Red Room ARIAs At Home edition, can be found below.
All ARIA Week activations will be hosted live on YouTube.
AUS MUSIC T-SHIRT DAY
Friday 19th November – ALL DAY
CULTURAL CHANGE PANEL (PRESENTED BY POINT BLANK AGENCY)
Friday 19th November @ 11:00 AM AEDT
Sian Van Der Muelen from Point Blank Group (also known as Miss Blanks) has brought together Alethea Beeston (Digi Youth Arts, Blaksound), Uda Widanapathirana (Artist Manager, Sukuya) for the Cultural Change Panel moderated by Jim Malo (Journalist) to discuss representation, equity and inclusion in an effort to ignite change, hope, unification and community-building.
WORKING WITH FIRST NATIONS ARTISTS (PRESENTED BY MUSICNT & THE NIMA’S)
Monday 22nd November – 11:00 AM AEDT
MusicNT in collaboration with The NIMAs will discuss the future of the music industry, awards and how to support First Nation artists, in a conversation led by Arian Pearson, Leah Flanagan and Emma Donovan moderated by Ben Graetz.
INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP PANEL
Monday 22nd November – 02:00 PM – 03:00 PM
Mardi Caught (The Annex), Jaddan Comerford (UNIFIED), Joel Connelly (Blackbird) and Holly Rankin (Jack River) come together to discuss what it takes to start your own business in music while providing insight into their own journey in the music industry.
MUSIC 101 – EMERGING ARTIST AND INDUSTRY WORKSHOP
Tuesday 23rd November – 11:00 AM AEDT
Emerging artists and aspiring music executives are invited to join Wendy Ong, Tony Bracy, Ricky Simandjuntak, Amber Horsborough and Nooky as they discuss all things music. Whether you are about to release your first track or want to know how to craft the perfect radio campaign, this is a unique opportunity to learn from some of the industry’s best. Attendees will also have the chance to win a place in Amber Horsborough’s Deep Cuts program as well as the opportunity to be paired up for one on one mentoring sessions with a suited industry executive.
NOVA’S RED ROOM ‘ARIAS AT HOME EDITION’ PRESENTED BY MENULOG
Tuesday 23rd November
Nova’s Red Room ARIAS At Home Edition Presented by Menulog returns to celebrate Australian artists with three exclusive virtual performances. Hosted by Tim Blackwell, Nova’s Red Room ARIAS At Home Edition will see some of the country’s talented ARIA Award nominees, Tones And I, Vance Joy and Baker Boy, each taking to the virtual stage in the lead up to the 2021 ARIA Awards.