Welcome to BackStage Music
BackStage Music is an artist-run concert platform that nurtures the grassroots of creative art music in Australia. It provides a living space to encourage and enable the collaboration of musicians of diverse backgrounds, career stages and interests, in a sonic melting pot of the new.
A Hub for Innovation: We're committed to commissioning groundbreaking new works, fostering artistic collaborations, and pushing the boundaries of musical expression. We aim to be the epicenter for cool, compelling, and adventurous Australian music.
A Space for Everyone: Diversity, inclusion, and accessibility are at our core. We strive to create equitable opportunities for artists and audiences from all backgrounds, empowering diverse voices and celebrating cultural richness.
A Launchpad for Careers: We're dedicated to developing the professional capacity of artists and arts workers. Through skills development, networking, and mentorship, we're helping musicians build sustainable and fulfilling careers.
A Community Connector: We believe in the power of music to bring people together. We're exploring new ways to engage audiences, expand cultural participation, and build a vibrant community around innovative music.
A Sustainable Future: We're committed to the long-term health of the music sector. Through strong governance, financial stability, and advocacy, we're ensuring a thriving ecology for music-based art. And we are working towards a physical venue.
Join us as we create a "Living Space for Living Music"—a place where art comes alive.
Organization History
Starting as a one off event in 2016 featuring New York based new music group y-Music alongside Sydney’s composer-performer emerging artists collective ‘The Music Box Project’ in the basement of an inner city gallery, we quickly realised that there was a demand for the kind of relaxed and musically curious experience. Since then BackStage Music have presented over 50 performances at various venues around Sydney showcasing over 100 performers and 60+ new Australian compositions.
We have been treated to performances by high-calibre international artists in the field of new music including flautist Claire Chase, cellist Ashley Bathgate, violinist Billiana Botchkova, oboist/composer Cathy Milliken and pianist Elisabeth Harnick. Artists based interstate including the Australian String Quartet have also been given a platform for the more avant-garde repertoire on their programs. The real focus of our programming has been supporting NSW artists, highlights have been the virtuoso couple William Barton (didgeridoo) and Veronique Serret (violin); Ensemble Offspring have performed each year, soprano Jane Sheldon, bassist Clayton Thomas and Marcus Whale. Find out more here.