Victoria’s Live Music Professionals program announces 2018 industry coaches

Music Victoria have announced the ten industry figures that will be coaching this year’s Live Music Professionals program participants.

The coaches will provide free mentorship to ten venue managers and ten independent promoters as a part of the Victorian government’s $22.2 million Music Works initiative that aims to support the state’s music industry.

The 2018 coaches are:

Ashlea O’Loughlin – Social Season

Ben Thompson – 170 Russel

Brian Taranto – Love Police ATM, Love Police Touring

Emily Kelly – Deathproof PR

Moira Mckenzie – Sanicki Lawyers

Nigel Melder – Download Festival, Live Nation

Sally Mather – Corner Hotel, Northcote Social Club

Sharlene Harris – ALH Group

Shaun Adams – Karova Lounge

Tom Harris – White Sky

Live Music Professionals Project Manager, Sarah Deborre is ecstatic with the calibre of the 2018 coaches, commenting: “The collective knowledge and experience that this group of people has is astounding and I know they’re going to be such an asset to this program.”

The venues and promotors chosen to participate in the 2018 program will be paired up with three of this year’s coaches for three, one-hour coaching sessions. They’ll also attend a closed-door music conference in Ballarat that will include a number of masterclasses and workshops.

Last year, participants in the Live Music Professionals program reported on average a 35% increase in ticket sales and an 80% improvement in their business activities.