Melbourne’s Music Cities Convention unveils speakers, theme to be “It takes a village to make a music city”

The sixth global Music Cities Convention, to be held in Melbourne on April 19 and 20, will have the theme “It takes a village to make a music city: Music Policy from top to bottom.”

Within this, there will be discussions on music policy in Asia; night mayors, a possible solution to tensions between residents, venues and councils; music tourism; how to safeguard music policies; and the role of landowners.

Three hundred delegates from around Australia and across the world are expected to be in Melbourne to hear 45 speakers.

The 45 will include music industry executives, government representatives, academics, city planners, cultural planners, artists and musicians.

Music Cities Convention Melbourne is presented by the UK’s Sound Diplomacy and supported by the Victorian Government.

Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley says that with more live music venues per capita, it is apt that global solutions for music cities should be made in the southern city.

“From the breadth of talent on our stages and our music-hungry audiences, to our iconic venues and the many industry professionals working hard behind the scenes – Melbourne’s music community is loud, proud and critical to the life and experience of our city,” he said.

“We look forward to welcoming you to Melbourne and being part of a global conversation about the role music can play in the health, liveability and vitality of cities.”

Speakers are:

Jesse Elliott, Director, The Music District, Fort Collins (US)

Helen Feng, lead singer, Nova Heart (China)

Farai Monro, CEO, Magamba Network (Zimbabwe)

Sadia Sadia, award-winning record producer and artist (UK)

Faith Gonsalves, Executive Director, Music Basti, Integrated Development Education Association (India)

Dominique Greco, Project Manager, Nighttime Economy, Downtown Development Board/Community Redevelopment Agency, City of Orlando (US)

Brian Ritchie, Executive Director, MONA & artist, Violent Femmes (Australia)

Maria Claudia Lopez, Secretary of Culture, Bogota (Colombia)

Robin Malau, CEO, Musikator (Indonesia)

Tony Nagamaiah, General Manager, Malaysia Major Events, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Malaysia)

Raffi Niziblian, Creative Director & Founder, Deem Communications & Senior Project Manager, EU Delegation in Armenia (Armenia)

Chris Robb, CEO, Mass Participation Asia (Indonesia)

Lauren Roth de Wolf, Director, Africa Express (UK)

Dr. Will Straw, PhD, James McGill Professor of Urban Media Studies, Department of Art History and Communications Studies, McGill University (Canada)

Dr. Andrea Jean Baker, PhD, Senior Lecturer in Journalism, School of Media, Film and Journalism, Monash University (Australia)

Larry Heath, Director, Heath Media (Australia)

Dr. Shane Homan PhD, Associate Professor, Monash University (Australia)

Bree Trevena, Research Manager, Arup Australia (Australia)

Music Cities Convention will take place on April 19 at Arts Centre Melbourne and April 20 at Deakin Edge Federation Square.

Conference tickets and further information can be found here.

The Appointment Group is the official travel partner of Melbourne Music Cities Convention.