The Official NZ Music Month Summit – 2025 Programme Announced

NZ Music Month / Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa would simply be a flavourless affair without the official NZ Music Month Summit, a free day of panel discussions / think tank conversations aiming to help artists (at all levels) navigate the often opaque world of local music. Presented by MMF Aotearoa and the NZ Music Commission, with support from industry organisation partners APRA AMCOS and Recorded Music NZ, NZMMS 2025 hosts a diversity of veterans and rising stars from our community (including myself this year), sharing firsthand insights on Touring 101, Promoting Your Show, Pulling Together The Show, Put Your Best Pitch Forward, and Stories From The Road — a veritable showbiz toolkit of ideas to put into action.

Fielding questions from attendees, if you’d like come along to the free in-person event at Tāmaki Makaurau’s The Tuning Fork on 24th May (not streaming online this year, will later be available via YouTube), be sure to register in advance via the link below…

The NZ Music Commission and Music Managers Forum Aotearoa present…
The NZ Music Month Summit 2025

Saturday 24th May – The Tuning Fork, Auckland, from 10.45am to 4.30pm
To secure a free ticket for the in-person event, you can register at Moshtix HERE

Touring 101

Everything you need to know about taking your music on the road in 2025. The last 5 years has seen enormous shifts in the landscape of live performance at home and overseas. Whether it’s your first time touring or you’ve got plenty of live experiences under your belt, this panel provides practical tips and tricks to help you have a successful tour and look after yourself along the way.

Audrey Siataga (artist & touring manager – Ladi6, Christoph El Truento, NOE)

Jazmine Mary

Richard Barnacle (venue owner – Space Academy)

Stormie Kereopa-Lloyd (artist manager – Jordyn With A Why, MOHI)

Moderated by Nick Lindstrom (95bFM, The NZ Music Commission)

Promoting Your Show

Just as touring has changed a lot since 2020, so have the methods for getting the word out about your show. From local music journalism outlets, show listings and ticketing, publicity companies and radio, using Spotify For Artist Live Event tools, to social media and great merchandising — this panel is all about how to get an audience through the door to see your music live.

Chris Cudby (UnderTheRadar.co.nz)

Heidi Ettema (Broken Record Publicity)

Leah Harris (Spotify Australia New Zealand)

Nela Fotu (AS Colour)

Stella-Rae Morris-Matchitt (RadioActive)

Moderated by Charlotte Ryan

Pulling Together The Show

A lot goes into putting on a great live show. This panel explores all the elements that go into making your gig stand out and leave a memorable impression on an audience. Our panellists will discuss everything from the venue to the stage design, lighting, visual elements and performance styles- all the things that add up to make a live show spectacular.

Fazerdaze (Amelia Murray)

Laughton Kora (Kora, Black Comet)

HalfQueen (DJ and event organiser Shaquille Wasasala)

Rowan Pierce (artist and scenographer)

Moderated by Sarah Thomson (APRA AMCOS, 95bFM)

Put Your Best Pitch Forward

An insightful discussion on mastering the art of pitching your music to Bookers and Promoters for festivals and live performance opportunities. Our panellists will delve into the intricacies of effective communication, crafting compelling pitches, and building meaningful relationships in the industry. Whether you’re an artist looking to navigate the booking process or a manager seeking to refine your approach, this panel is for you.

Cuillin Hearty (music manager – There’s A Tuesday, Sofia Machray, Frank On Tap)

Gavin Downie (booker – Music in Parks Auckland)

Moderated by Cushla Aston (manager Louis Baker, MMF Aotearoa Chair)

Stories From The Road

A chance to hear from some seasoned touring artists about their best and most memorable experiences touring at home and overseas. From the sold-out Sydney Opera house, to DIY couch surfing, trips through India and China, and countless circuits of Europe and America- not to mention show after show here in Aotearoa; our panellists have seen it all! Whakarongo mai nei for some choice stories of their adventures on the road.

MC Slave (Fat Freddy’s Drop)

Priya Sami (The Sami Sisters, Bub)

Vera Ellen

Moderated by Rachel Ashby (NZ Music Commission)

The NZMM Summit Mixer will close the day — a casual in-person opportunity to meet with other attendees and some speakers from the day’s panels.

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