The Little Indie Promoter That Could: Troubadour Presents Celebrates 20th Anniversary
In a land where being fittest doesn’t guarantee survival, Troubadour Presents is beating the odds.
The concerts business this year celebrates its 20th anniversary, a milestone that carries extra weight in these particularly tough times for the live music industry.
Troubadour Presents was founded in 2005 by Fran Daly, then running Sydney’s Gaelic Theatre.
In those two decades, the business has toured over 100 artists, including the late Sinéad O’Connor, Paul Weller, Alabama 3, Damien Dempsey, Superchunk, and even metal veteran Devin Townsend.
All the while, the company has stayed true to its independent roots.
“What we do is so removed from the Live Nations of the world,” says Daly. “We’re for the people who go to shows and go to gigs, and Australia still has that vibrant culture of watching a band in a pub. Despite all the current difficulties around live music, there are still amazing venues out there nationally. That’s who we love to work with.”
Troubadour, like its allies and rivals everywhere, took a beating during the health crisis. The pandemic is in the distance, thought the business lost experienced heads and skills, the kind that “are hard to replace,” says Daly.
Also hard to replace are the venues and festivals that have folded in recent years, the fall-out from the cost of living crisis, and competition for attention and cash.
Bluesfest director Peter Noble has described the festivals marketplace as experiencing something akin to an “extinction” event, one that’s wiped Splendour in the Grass and Groovin the Moo from the calendar this year and last.
It’s not much sunnier at the grassroots venues level, where APRA AMCOS reported that over 1,300 live music spaces venues in Australia closed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
And yet, Australians still love going to the show.
Troubadour has navigated the perils, by knowing its audience, operating in its niche. “The metal community has always had that [cultural footprint], and we work in that area as well,” Daly explains. “We also work with UK and Irish acts in the folk, protest, rebel music areas. Some larger companies aren’t interested until acts reach a certain level, and we lose a few artists to them when that happens. But that’s the nature of the business.”
Tours on the slate include The Tumbling Paddies, Panti Bliss, and Kristin Hersh, who, in late February embarks on her first headline tour since 2023, coinciding with a new Throwing Muses album, Moonlight Concessions, due out March 14th.
Kristin Hersh
Though lean, Troubadour Presents isn’t here to make up numbers. The team recruited Head of Marketing & Operations Basil Cook in August 2024, previously Senior Label Manager at the ABC.
Also on board is Head of Touring Adam Yee, who, says Daly, brings credibility, humour and flair to artist representation, and Emily Butler, the company’s bookkeeper, with a background at Love Police, Chugg Entertainment and Frontier Touring.
Two decades on, Daly and his team can spare a moment to reflect. But not dwell – there’s work to do.
“We’re for the people who go to shows and go to gigs, and Australia still has that vibrant culture of watching a band in a pub,” he explains.
“Despite all the current difficulties around live music, there are still amazing venues out there nationally. That’s who we love to work with.”
“Happy Birthday mighty Troubadour, and many happy returns.
Thanks for all the wonderful tours of Australia. The family feel of your organisation and the
hands-on approach of your warm brilliant team down there made the tours feel like I was
visiting cousins who were showing me around that incredible land. Keep up the magic. Xx”
Damien Dempsey
“We’ve enjoyed working with Troubadour on successful tours in Australia for over a decade
now. Always a pleasure to deal with, they got on board with us early and shared our long
term vision of building up the band’s Australian audience. The approach paid off, with recent tours seeing the band sell out venues in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.”
Danny O’Reilly
The Coronas
“Troubadour have been instrumental in getting me over to Australia and helping me to build
a wonderful audience here. They are true music fans and that shows through all of their
work. Congratulations to Fran and the whole team on the big 20 and here’s to many more
fantastic years of touring from Troubadour!”
Grace Petrie
“I’ve toured with Troubadour now for all of their 25 years and I’ve learned this…it’s not all
sex, drugs and rock and roll. Good touring companies dot the i’s and cross the t’s, they get
you to the church on time. They demand the highest of standards and give the same in
return. That’s why I love Troubadour. They say fuck all that, gimme the sex, drugs and rock
and roll, plenty of it and more again tomorrow”
Gary Óg
“Happy 20 years to Troubadour Presents! Amazing achievement! Troubadour has been my
manager for over ten years. Under their guidance, I have toured Australia, New Zealand, the
Middle East and Europe, crowdfunded $19k to record my debut studio album, and recorded
two albums for ABC Kids Music, which boosted my streaming numbers tenfold.
Troubadour has the best interests of artists at heart. I’ve seen them go above and beyond in
support of artists with professionalism, loyalty and the craic!”
Mick McHugh
“We started touring in Australia with Troubadour in the mid 2000s. Fran and his team were
at the top of their game from the beginning! We have travelled to Australia on many many
occasions and played in amazing venues! Our most recent tour with Troubadour was in
2024 and Fran’s team has grown over the years and every member of his team excels in
their professionalism and knowledge of working with artists, management and crew! We look
forward to many more years working with you.
Congratulations Troubadour on your 20th Anniversary and here’s to an undoubtedly, growing future for you!”
Aslan
Working with Fran and the Troubadour Events team is always a pleasure – their positive
“can do” attitude ensures that it’s an enjoyable experience all round. They often take on tours that others may not but their local market knowledge and hands on delivery ensures these artists have a great chance of success in the market. We love working with Fran and the team, congrats on the 20th anniversary and here’s to the next 20 years!
Alex Bruford
MD & Founder ATC Live
“The team at Troubadour Presents are a pleasure to work with, and deliver us amazing
artists to Port Fairy from around Australia and the world. Congratulations on the 20 years,
and here’s to another 20 more!”
Justin Rudge
Programmer – Port Fairy Folk Festival
“Congratulations Fran and the team on such a significant milestone, such a pleasure to work
with you on such a diverse range of tours. here’s to the next 20 years”
Joe Stanley
GM – Moshtix
“The Blue Mountains Music festival is indebted to Fran Daly and his wonderful team of
professionals who have introduced us to many many amazing acts over the past 20 years.
Fran Daly first came to us in 2007 with two wonderful Irish acts. Names like Declan
O’Rourke, Paddy Keenan, Brian Kennedy,and Alan Kennedy come to mind.
Congratulations to Troubadour for 20 years of contribution to live music in Australia.”
Bob Charter
Festival Director
Blue Mountains Folk Roots and Blues Festival
“In an age where the entertainment industry is amalgamating at an extraordinary rate,
businesses like Troubadour become more critical than ever to provide a north star of forward
thinking, artist focused productions. Massive congratulations to Fran and team Troubadour
on being leaders in their endeavours for 20 years.”
Mark Gibbons
National Content & Bookings Manager
The Fortitude Music Hall | The Triffid
“In my time booking the Corner Hotel in Richmond we hosted many amazing shows with
Troubadour. Fran and the team were always lovely to deal with. There’s been so many
fascinating international acts that would have never made it out to Australia without their
vision and hard work.”
Richard Moffat
Music Programmer
“We’ve been lucky to work with Troubadour for over 10 years now. From tours with legends
like Sinéad O’Connor to Devin Townsend, they always bring incredible artists down to
Australia. They’ve got a hands-on approach making every tour special for the artists and the fans. Huge congrats on 20 years of music success – here’s to the next 20!”
Jim Sewell
Jungle Merchandise
“It’s awesome to be sharing this double decade of good times with Troubadour.
As we celebrate our own 20 year anniversary with The Gum Ball festival, it’s because of
Fran and his team that we have such great musical memories with acts like Damien
Dempsey, Grace Petrie, Paddy McHugh, and many more.
It continues to be a pleasure to work with Fran and his team of purists who clearly value
creating unique musical experiences and doing things out of the box…. we look forward to
twenty more!”
Matt Johnson
Gumball / Dashville / Thrashville Festivals
“For nearly 20 years, Taste Ireland and Troubadour Music have shared a unique partnership
rooted in community spirit. From the very beginning, our collaboration has been about more
than just commercial ventures—it’s been about serving the Irish-Australian community in a
way that truly feels like home. Together, we’ve brought the essence of Ireland to Australia,
through the tastes, music, and entertainment that connect people to their roots.
Troubadour Music has always been at the heart of this effort, bringing world-class acts and
unforgettable experiences that celebrate our shared heritage. Their dedication to fostering a
sense of belonging and joy within the Irish-Australian community has been nothing short of
inspiring.
As they celebrate their 20th anniversary, I want to acknowledge Fran and the entire
Troubadour team for their incredible achievements—now with their own label and continuing
to attract world-class talent. It’s no surprise that this partnership has stood the test of time,
and I look forward to many more years of working together to keep our community
connected and thriving.
Congratulations to Fran and his team on this incredible milestone. Here’s to the next 20
years of collaboration, community, and shared success!”
Eamon Eastwood
Taste Ireland