WAM conference tickets selling fast, live showcases expanded

Perth-based peak music association WAM (West Australian Music) reports that tickets for its November 6 & 7 WA Music Conference at State Theatre Centre of WA “are selling at record speed.”

It attributes this to the value-added for the earlybird tickets, which it says are worth more than the ticket prices alone.

They also entitle purchasers to the industry-only inaugural Quay Note Boat Party, exclusive opportunities to pitch their song to radio programmers (including from triple j, Triple R and RTRFM), face to face networking with up to 40 industry leaders, entry into showcase venues if they are not at capacity, and entry to the new format WA Music Awards at Jack Rabbit Slim's​.

The Earlybird ticket offer close on Friday September 18.

The conference is part of WAM Festival which this year expands to four days, between Thursday November 5 – Sunday 8.

WAM Festival Coordinator Greg Sanders said, “WA has proven time and time again it’s capable of producing world class talent, and the WAM Festival provides a key platform to showcase the latest and greatest to booking agents, music programmers for radio stations, labels, media and other industry travelling here to discover the next ‘it’ acts from WA.”

As reported in TMN, the first lineup of speakers had a focus on radio music directors and booking agents to help young acts expand their careers.

After 10,000 attended last year’s live events, WAM has expanded these. The increased capacity #WAMFestBlockParty has two stages (as part of the #SaturdaySpectacular which uses 9 venues). Friday night gigs have a revamped programming, focussing on genre, promoter and label showcase at 11 venues.

This year also marks the introduction of a Fremantle three-stage free event, #WAMFestSundayBest.

WAM has also opened up naming rights of categories at the WA Music Awards aka WAMis to brands. Each year 40 awards are handed out, with past winners including Birds of Tokyo, Karnivool, Eskimo Joe, Gyroscope and Tame Impala. More info, contact WAM’s Development Manager, Georgia Kennedy at Georgia@wam.org.au.