‘We Need Long Term Investment’: The Push to Support Western Sydney’s Music Scene
We spoke with L-Fresh the Lion about breaking down barriers for Western Sydney artists and the need for long-term industry investment, ahead of Conscious CONNECTS 2026.
Breaking into the music industry isn't easy, especially when access to recording studios, industry connections and even professional press shots can be difficult to come by.
For emerging artists in Western Sydney, those barriers can be even greater. But Conscious CONNECTS is looking to bridge that gap, bringing together artists, industry professionals and creative organisations for a free day of hands-on workshops, networking and live performances.
Returning to Campbelltown Arts Centre this Saturday, September 26th, the event aims to give artists the tools, connections and practical experience needed to take the next step in their careers. Conscious CONNECTS will feature workshops from MusicNSW, New Gen Artistry, Day One Builds and Mentor Academy, covering everything from music production and career development to live performance. Artists will also have the chance to learn how to get their music onto triple j Unearthed and develop their stage presence with Timomatic.
Elsewhere, River Road Creative Academy's Mobile Music Lab will offer recording sessions, AWWW will provide professional press photography, and Bodega Collective will host an Open Mic Cypher. Drop-in stations will also give attendees the opportunity to speak one-on-one with industry professionals. The day will also feature live performances from Timomatic, RIAH, T1LL0W, PA777IENCE, and 84 HeARTz and The Collective Reality.
While the event provides immediate opportunities for artists, it also highlights a broader issue facing Western Sydney's music community: the need for greater access to industry resources, infrastructure and long-term career development.
Ahead of the event, The Music Network spoke with curator L-Fresh the Lion (real name Sukhdeep Singh Bhogal) about the thinking behind the 2026 program, the barriers facing Western Sydney's emerging artists and why the Australian music industry needs to invest in the region beyond one-off initiatives.
Reporting from inside the Australian music business since '94.
The Music Network: What was your vision for this year's event, and what did you want to do differently with the 2026 program?
Bhogal: This year was all about creating and harnessing opportunities. Everybody in the scene is hungry for a shot, and we get it, because sometimes those opportunities just aren't there. So we asked ourselves, why wait? How can we be proactive? How can we make our own opportunities and empower each other to go and get it? That's what shaped the 2026 program. We wanted every part of the day to be hands on. Record a track, get your press shots done, get up on the open mic, have a real conversation with someone from the industry. We want people to leave with more than inspiration. We want them to leave ready to put into practice the things they learnt on the day.
What do you wish you'd had access to when you were first starting out as an artist yourself, and how has that influenced the way you've curated this event?
When I was coming up in South West Sydney there was no infrastructure. No studios, no one explaining how the industry works, no forums or events where you could link up with like-minded people. Those moments were sporadic and rare. It took many, many years and a lot of work by pioneers in our region to get to a point where an event like CONNECTS is even possible, and I'm grateful for everyone who put in that work. So when we put this day together, I think about what I needed back then. A place to learn, create, perform and connect with real people, all in one spot. That's what we're trying to give the community.
There's such a diverse and thriving music community in Western Sydney, but what are some of the biggest barriers facing emerging artists? Particularly when it comes to accessing the wider music industry?
Access. That's the big one. A lot of the industry is based in the inner city, so just getting to gigs, meetings and networking events takes time and money. Then there's the cost of the basics like studio time, mixing, press shots and videos. And there's the knowledge gap. The industry has a lot of unwritten rules and if nobody around you has been through it, you're figuring it all out the hard way. Our community is resilient and resourceful, we always find a way. But when the people making decisions aren't out here seeing what's happening, it's easy for dope talent to get overlooked.
How important is it to provide artists with practical opportunities like free press shots, recording a track, etc, rather than just industry advice?
Super important. Advice is great, but if you don't have the means to act on it, it just sits there. Someone can tell you that you need good press shots, but if you can't afford a photographer, what do you do? So we put the tools straight into people's hands. AWWW Pty Ltd are taking press shots, River Road Creative Academy's Mobile Music Lab is recording songs and Bodega Collective are running the open mic. You can literally walk out with things you can use the very next day. That builds momentum and confidence, and confidence is what gets you to take the next step on your own.
Looking beyond the event, what changes would you like to see in the Australian music industry to ensure artists from Western Sydney have the same opportunities and visibility as those from more established music hubs?
We’ve always been a cultural hub. Trend setters. Movement makers. It’s just taken this long for the rest of the industry to recognise the value we have. So now the money starts to flow into the area. But we need long term investment. One event or one program can spark something, but it takes consistent support to build a scene that lasts. That means initiatives, events, venues, studios and spaces that are here to stay. And we need more people from our communities in decision making roles across the industry. When the people programming, signing and commissioning understand where artists are coming from, the opportunities follow.
See the full Conscious CONNECTS 2026 program and more information here.
