Q&A: NLMA’s Larry Heath on Live Act of the Year nominees

This is the first of a series of Q&As ahead of the National Live Music Awards.

The first one up is NLMA founder Larry Heath on Live Act of the Year, presented by The Music Network, and one of the awards’ two public voted categories.

The ten finalists are:

A.B. Original

All Our Exes Live in Texas

Cable Ties

Camp Cope

Client Liaison

Confidence Man

Gang of Youths

Hands Like Houses

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard

Methyl Ethel

Q: What do the diversity of these ten tell us about the open-mindedness of Aussie audiences in what acts they support?

Larry Heath: “From Canberra rock (Hands Like Houses) to the unforgettable live experience that is Confidence Man, or the folk powerhouse in All Our Exes Live In Texas, I don’t think we’ve ever had a time that the live scene has been more musically eclectic.

“Judging by the votes coming in so far, there’s no preference in genre by Australians.

“All the acts on this list deliver incredible performances, and that’s what punters are looking for.

“Thanks to things like Spotify allowing people to explore the music landscape and expand their tastes, not to mention the eclecticism you’ll find on influential stations like triple j, people are more open to a variety of genres than ever before.”

Q: What do these ten share the most?

Larry Heath: “Great stage presence across the board, I think it’s fair to say. They know how to engage with their audience and keep them engaged.

“That’s certainly what the judges were looking for in putting this list together.

“Though some are more recent additions to the scene, you’d be hard pressed to find anyone on the list who hasn’t spent years doing the hard yards – even Confidence Man, who are barely a year old, its members have been in a multitude of different projects over the years (The Belligerents, Moses Gunn Collective and The Jungle Giants to name but a few).

“It’s why they’ve been able to shoot so high, so quickly. You can’t do that without the experience.”

Q: Australian live audiences are renowned globally for their enthusiasm for new acts. From your point, is the“experience” provided by a live show rapidly overtaking other previous considerations as ticket prices and whether they have someone to go with?

Larry Heath: “I don’t think it has overtaken to be honest, but the experience is definitely just as important as the price and the posse.

“But experience isn’t just about the bands on stage, it’s about the venues. The cost of drinks. The activations on ground.

“I think people are pickier than ever when going to shows because there’s so much variety out there and so many options.

“They need to know not just who they’re seeing, but what environment are they seeing them in. Will it be worth the money? Will I have a better chance to see them sometime soon?

Q: Most of the 10 finalists have really made an impact in the last 12 months. Is it easier for new acts to get noticed on the live circuit?

Larry Heath: “I think it’s more the case that a lot of the newer acts are more active, soconstantly in mind for audiences, as well as judges; they’re touring moredomestically to gain a larger audience before they start to dominate the world.

“All our Exes, King Gizzard and Gang of Youths are perhaps exceptions to this;they’ve spent as much time abroad this year as they have at home – but they’vestill been active at home, playing to bigger audiences and capitilising of yearson the road and growing their fanbase. Not to mention their live skills.”

Q: What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Australian live sector?

Larry Heath: “Too much emphasis is placed by booking agents and promoters on the power of triple j. Some festivals don’t book artists if they don’t have support of the js – and I don’t think this is right.

“There is a lot of great music out there which is being ignored by bookers and promoters because of these sorts of blanket rules.

“It makes it hard for so many great bands who don’t fit the mold, and I think the events themselves are missing out on exposing their audiences to some of Australia’s greatest bands as a result.

“As for strengths, having travelled all over the world, we truly are a live music loving nation – there’s nothing like going to a festival or a live show in Australia.

“The audiences get so engaged, be it at one of our biggest festivals or in our smallest, dirtiest corner pubs.

“And don’t get me started on the talent of the bands who play those festivals and pubs… we blow the rest of the world out of the water! But perhaps I’m biased…”