VMDO Breakfast- India Insights

VMDO Networking Breakfast - India Insights 

  
VMDO's Networking Breakfast series returns on Wednesday, November 26, with "INDIA Insights", a panel discussion focusing on India's rapidly expanding music market. 

Moderated by Amrit Gill, CEO of Theatre Network Australia, the panel will explore opportunities in this vast and emerging territory, offering insights into India's music ecosystem and touring, connecting with the Indian market and diaspora engagement. 

Panellists include: 
Jay Anand, Founder & Principal Consultant, Orange Juice Lab 
Manish Chandnani, Director of blaide.live 
Fiona Duncan, CEO of Music Victoria 

Attendees are invited to stay for networking and the chance to meet the speakers after the panel. 
 
DOORS WILL OPEN AT 8.30 am WITH THE PANEL BEGINNING AT 9 am SHARP. 
Light breakfast snacks, tea and coffee will be provided. 
 
Tickets to VMDO Links are FREE, but bookings are essential.
 

About the Speakers: 
Amrit Gill, CEO, Theatre Network Australia 
Amrit Gill is a respected arts facilitator, curator, and strategist with over two decades of leadership experience across Australia’s cultural landscape. As CEO of Theatre Network Australia, she leads national advocacy and industry development for the independent and small-to-medium performing arts sector. 

Amrit serves on the Advisory Board for the Centre for Australia-India Relations, supporting bilateral collaboration and cultural exchange. Her previous leadership roles include Creative Programming Lead at the City of Melbourne, Chairperson of Next Wave, and Artistic Director and CEO of 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art. At the Australia Council for the Arts (now Creative Australia), she directed international development, implementing the agency’s first global arts strategy and expanding engagement across Asia and with First Nations communities worldwide. 

Jay Anand, Founder & Principal Consultant, Orange Juice Lab (Australia/India) 
Jay Anand is the founder of Orange Juice Lab, a cross-continental creative consultancy and R&D lab shaping how the music industry builds, scales, and connects across emerging markets. Operating between Australia and India, the Lab develops data-driven insights and culturally attuned strategies that bridge creative and commercial ecosystems. 

Through initiatives such as Mapped – India’s Creative Data Forum and landmark reports including Listening by the Edges and The State of India’s Music Tech Landscape, Jay and his team turn research into actionable strategy. With experience spanning performance, education, product management, and partnerships, Jay combines analytical depth with creative fluency to help organisations and artists navigate the evolving intersections of culture, data, and innovation. 

Manish Chandnani, Director, blaide.live 
Manish Chandnani is a leading festival and live-events producer with extensive experience across India, Australia, and New Zealand. In India, he led production for major festivals such as NH7 Weekender, YouTube FanFest, and Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) India—events that attracted massive audiences and international talent, including Norah Jones, A. R. Rahman, and Coldplay. 

Now based in Australia, Manish has produced projects with Adelaide Fringe and OzAsia Festival, bringing large-scale expertise and a global perspective to local stages. As Director of blaide.live, he continues to bridge international and regional creative communities, most recently producing a sold-out Australian tour for iconic Indian singer-songwriter Lucky Ali, including performances at the Sydney Opera House and Northcote Theatre. 
 
Fiona Duncan, CEO of Music Victoria 
With over 30 years of experience spanning artist management, event and tour management, publicity, and industry advisory roles, Fiona Duncan is a highly respected figure in the state, national, and international contemporary music industry. 

One of the longest-serving female music managers in the country, Fiona has managed Spiderbait since their early days, guiding them from emerging artists to one of Australia’s most successful and enduring rock bands. 
Beyond artist management, Fiona has played a pivotal role in music and arts development. Her work with the City of Greater Geelong included the delivery of major arts and music events and her most recent role was National Live and Local Program Coordinator at the Live Music Office, continuing her commitment to fostering vibrant music communities and supporting the growth of live music across the country.

She has previously served on the board of Music Victoria and continues to serve as board member with the Association of Artist Managers (AAM), contributing her expertise to support and strengthen the music sector.