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.  

Find out how to Support BackStage Music in our mission to create living music in a living space.