4ESYDNEY CONFERENCE
DATE: FRI 24TH JUN 2022
TIME: 10AM - 7PM
LOCATION: THE LEO KELLY BLACKTOWN ARTS CENTRE
COST: $0 - $45 The conference is set up as a 'pay what you can system' - all ticket options are the same.
Download the program, schedule, artist and speaker bios here.
Join powerhouse community and industry leaders shine a light on deeply rooted issues surrounding the music industry from within, while exploring problem-solving and forward-thinking solutions with a conscious take on community and the ever evolving development of our industry.
We are in a new era, a new way of living. As we kick back into gear, engaging in a post-pandemic world we are learning quickly that things are not the same as we remain agile and adapt to a ‘new normal’.
The conference will delve into relevant and timely matters that are impacting our experiences in music business such as the level of investment into Western Sydney, and where it is or is not going; the amplification of spaces and opportunities; dissecting the cross-sector industries HipHop is featuring in; and examine the current state of the post-pandemic touring and venue challenges, opportunities and evolutions.
The 4ESydney conference is a pillar of our yearly events program and we are thrilled to be hosting it in a face-to-face seminar format at The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre, dedicating the day to industry and community dialog.
CONFERENCE HOSTS
Shyamla (Movement Artist, Arts Advocate & Bindi Bosses Founding Director)
Maxine Johns (DJ, HipHop Culture Commentator & Educator at Ms Hennessey Entertainment)
WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING ON THE DAY?
Performances
Luka Lesson, MC Trey, Zeadala, Emily Wurramara and Áine Tyrrell
10.30am - 12.30pm
Elders In Residence: Meet local First Nations Elders and have a yarn. All are welcome to come by for a cup of tea and hear the personal stories of local Elders and absorb knowledge and stories of culture and Country. Learn dreaming stories and hear first-hand of the more recent history of the area now called Blacktown and greater western Sydney.
10am - 6pm
Weaving Workshop: Yarn with Aunty Roz in a warm and welcoming environment to connect with culture, community family, and weave with Ngiyampaa and Guringai artist Tarni Eastwood as she passes down her knowledge on traditional and contemporary Aboriginal weaving techniques.
Food: Catering will be provided for morning and afternoon tea, as well as, lunch.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM
10am - 10.30am: Registration and morning tea
10.30am - 11am: Welcome To Country, Smoking and Conference Opening
11am - 12pm
KEYNOTE: Dr Alethea Beetson (BLAKSOUND/ BLAK SOCIAL/ DIGI YOUTH ARTS)
Dismantle > Change: You Can’t Fix A System With The Same Fucking System: The music industry is focused on change, however; is there any real talk of dismantling or making way for the on-going revolution? Join Dr Alethea Beetson as she presents her findings on dismantling the music industry; and speaks to the power of insurgence and resurgence amongst First Nations artists.
Followed by Q+A w/ DOBBY (Artist/Musician, Composer and Producer)
12pm - 12.15pm: Break
12.15pm - 1.15pm
HipHop and Other Spaces: Where you at?
Exploring the impact of HipHop in fields connected to the music industry such as theatre, gaming, sync, sports, education, fashion and social justice, analysing the different outlets, their relationship and contribution to the culture, while also conducting a critical observation of the current representation of HipHop, its adaptation into spaces and how artists are developing alternative income streams.
Panelists:
Dan Palm (Head of Licensing & Sync, Sony Music Publishing)
Busty Beatz (The Queen Bee at Hot Brown Honey, Polytoxic, Inala Wangarra, Quiet Riot, Ancestress, QLD Poetry Festival)
MC Trey (Artist, Social Activist & Entrepreneur at Tapastry Creative)
Ginan Tabbouch (Head Designer, GTAB)
Zig Parker (Creative, Green Room Sydney)
1.15pm - 1.30pm: Performance by MC Trey
1.30pm - 2pm: Lunch and performance by Zeadala
2pm - 3pm
Back To Business: The reality of a post covid world
This panel will address the post-pandemic state of touring, staffing and running events, accenting the challenges and problem solving tactics of industry creatives while navigating the current climate surrounding venue engagement, responsibilities and investments reflecting on what steps we collectively and individually need to take towards a better tomorrow for the music, events and touring business.
Panelists:
Áine Tyrrell (Artist)
Catherine Swallow (Program Manager, Riverside Theatres)
Jennifer Noorbergen (Culture and Pathways Manager, 107 Projects)
Emily Collins (General Manager, MusicNSW)
Luka Lesson (Artist & Director, The Future Ancients)
Jr Aboagye (Project Manager at Sounds of Afrobeats Festival and DJNE ENTERTAINMENT PTY LTD)
3pm - 3.15pm: Performance: Luka Lesson
3.15pm - 4.15pm
IN CONVERSATION: K-SERA (CADA 96.1FM) w/ Maxine Johns
National radio royalty K-SERA takes centre stage with Maxine Johns exploring her 20-year career of HipHop radio journalism, her early years, scene growth, favourite interviews and the importance of playing position as a leading woman in the radio community. All of that and more in this necessary conversation!
4.15pm - 4.30pm: Afternoon tea
4.30pm - 4.50pm
IN CONVERSATION:
MICHAEL RODRIGUES (24 HOUR ECONOMY COMMISSIONER, NSW)
VYVIENNE ABLA (DIRECTOR, VYVA ENTERTAINMENT & 4ESYDNEY)
Hosted by Krystel Diola (Event Curator, Behind The Front)
4.55pm - 5.55pm
From Little Things, Big Things Grow: Show me the money!
All eyes are on Western Sydney thanks to the rapidly growing grassroots and community driven collectives, creatives and industry that has been driven by generations of artists and industry who have established careers through instinct, hustle and sharing of resources.
How do we make sure upcoming injections of funds hit the right people, places and spaces?
This discussion will delve into topics of investment with an inquisitive eye at grants distribution, different levels of Government to look at where the money is going and how it can be accessed.
Panelists:
Alicia Talbot (Manager Arts and Cultural Development, Blacktown Arts)
Turkan Aksoy (NSW Coordinator Welcoming Cities, Welcoming Cities)
Peter Sabbagh (Director, Bodega Collective)
Jeff Stein (Manager City Events and Festivals, City of Parramatta)
5.55pm - 6pm: Conference Wrap Up
6pm - 7pm
NETWORKING: Sony Music Publishing, Music NSW, Welcoming Cities, Vyva Entertainment and more, as well as, performances by Emily Wurramara and Áine Tyrrell.