New Wave: Can't Gig There, Mate
New Wave: Can't Gig There, Mate
Red tape, council regs and logistics? That’s where ideas go to die - unless you know how to work with them to create wild, unexpected, one-of-a-kind shows.
Where would you like to see a gig happen in Newcastle? This is not a panel. It’s a room full of artists and promoters rolling up their sleeves and building two real event concepts from scratch - live, in person and with your ideas in the mix. You’ll have the opportunity to pitch in as well, as the group considers spaces and concepts and works through the nuts and bolts of turning a left-field idea into something that actually happens.
You’ll leave with a fresh perspective on what a gig can be, a handful of actionable ideas, and a clear sense of how to make them happen.
Who is this event for
Artists, promoters and organisations in Newcastle and the Hunter who want to think bigger about live events.
New Wave is a MusicNSW program built to give artists across NSW the practical tools and real-world insights they need to grow. An evolution of our much-loved Sound Advice program, New Wave features in-person and digital workshops, events and development programs all over the state, built for artists finding their footing and the people working behind the scenes to make things happen across local music scenes in NSW.
MusicNSW is the peak body for contemporary music in New South Wales - here for the artists, communities and music businesses that make this state's culture what it is.
With Artists. For Culture. From the Ground Up.
MusicNSW works, creates and listens on unceded Aboriginal land across the state. We honour elders past and present and acknowledge all First Nations peoples as the original music makers, storytellers and knowledge holders. Always was, always will be.
MusicNSW is supported by Sound NSW.
Lineup
Django Mallon
Django Mallon is a Newcastle-based music industry professional with a focus on event management and promotion. He cofounded Blue Moon Events in 2020 and more recently has started Groove Street Events - a collective focused on bringing groovy music to Newcastle in DIY settings, blurring the lines between the live music and electronic dance scene.
Katerina Skoumbas
Katerina Skoumbas is a creative producer and cultural strategist with over two decades of experience in arts-led community development. As Director of The Big Picture Fest Newcastle, she has transformed the city into an open-air gallery celebrating cultural identity through large-scale street art. She currently leads Clyde St Arts, a creative precinct on 25,000sqm boasting Newcastle's largest collective of artists, innovators and producers - currently home to 30 creative businesses with over 80 individuals calling it their working home.
Moe Matthew
Moe Matthew is a Newcastle-based promoter and event producer with more than 15 years of experience delivering live music events across the Hunter and beyond. He is the founder of Howlin’ Country and has worked across some of Newcastle’s most significant music events and festivals, including Fat As Butter, This That Festival, Scene & Heard, Live at the Foreshore, and most recently, Kettama’s sold-out Boxing Day show with Steel City Dance Discs. Across his career, Moe has been involved in the delivery of almost 50 festivals in Newcastle.
Zoey Simpson
Zoey is a booking agent, promoter and founder of Seatbelt Collective based in Newcastle. She is the booking agent for The Lass O’Gowrie Hotel and The Oriental Hotel, building shows that platform emerging artists alongside established acts. Zoey also runs Minds Matter, a music and mental health project that has raised over $25,000 since 2024 for headspace Newcastle and Listen Up Music, with a strong focus on creating safe, inclusive and genuinely supportive spaces.
Additional info
- Venue accessibility
For access enquiries, please contact Joab Eastley at joab@musicnsw.com.
- Privacy & Photography/Videography Notice
Privacy Notice
MusicNSW values your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect the data you provide when registering for our online and in-person events.
Photography/Videography Notice
Please be aware that photography and video recording may take place during in-person events. By attending, you consent to your image and likeness being used by MusicNSW in promotional and informational materials related to this event and other MusicNSW activities. If you have any concerns or wish to opt out, please notify the event staff upon arrival. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
- About MusicNSW
We're the peak body for contemporary music in New South Wales - here for the artists, communities and music businesses that make this state's culture what it is.
We exist to build a NSW music ecosystem where artists have sustainable careers, communities are connected and supported, and music culture is properly valued - with the wellbeing of artists at the heart of all we do.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
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