As well as every band under the sun and their management vying for attention in Austin Texas at SXSW  (March 13-22), you’ll also find an ever-increasing number of music gear manufactures and distributors exhibiting there. The SXSW Music Gear Expo celebrates six years in 2015 with a host of new offerings. In addition to the much loved expo portion, the show will feature a number of special activations including: the Stompbox, Shred Shed, the brand new Synthesizer Space and Maker Zone plus the Gear Lounge, Gear Expo Store and Flatstock Stage.

Open to all registrants, showcasing artists and the general public, the Expo has become the key destination for musicians, buyers, gear and tech aficionados at SXSW. It is located adjacent to the popular Flatstock Poster Show on Level 1 of the Austin Convention Center.  The SXSW Music Gear Expo hosts a unique range of companies, from established names in the industry to independently owned up-and-comers. View the 2015 exhibitors.

Gear Expo Dates & Hours: 
Thursday, March 19 – Saturday, March 21
   11:00am-6:00pm 



Meanwhile in news on the main aspect of the conference, despite the Australian and NZ dollars being at their lowest against the US buck in over five years, it seems it hasn’t deterred the Australian and New Zealand contingent from registering for this year’s event.
South by Southwest Music, Interactive & Film Festivals and Conferences (http://sxsw.com) have kept pace with with over 500 attendees already registered and paid to the events March 13-22 in Austin Texas.  Last year over 750 made the trek along with 45 performing artists to this crucial event. More than 50,000 attended as paid delegates from over 150 countries.

“This is a far cry from when I started as the SXSW representative from Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii in 2002 with only 20 delegates and five bands.” says SXSW’s Phil Tripp.  “SXSW has had a major impact on homegrown artists over the past decade with hundreds of showcases and dozens of major deals done and is now kickstarting the Interactive side of our presence which is currently more than 50% of our delegates.  We are currently getting an average of seven regos a day.”

The current numbers back this up only 40 days from the beginning of SXSW with more than 250 last minute registrants expected to exceed last year’s 750.
There are:
465 Paid Australian delegates
35 From New Zealand
13 from Hawaii
5 are press (media passes close February 11)  Over 2500 global media attend.
22 are speakers
5 Exhibition stands are in the Trade Show:  Sounds Australia, MBIE NZ (Ministry of Business, Industry and Employment), Tactify Group, New Zealand Music Commission and 99 Designs.  The 600 stand spaces for 2015 have just sold out.

Over 60 Australian artists have been invited of the more than 175 that applied for official showcases.  There are more than 1800 artists performing from a submission list of over 8000 from 60 countries.  Here is the expanding list

For those interested in attending SXSW this year, local representative Phil Tripp in Coffs Harbour can answer any inquiries on 041 22 666 77 or email tripp@sxsw.com.

http://www.sxsw.com.au

Live Aid pioneer, Ultravox frontman and successful solo artist in his own right, Midge Ure returns to Australia in April for a short solo acoustic tour. Playing songs from his latest album Fragile along with all his solo and Ultravox hits, the show is a must for fans of the 80s electro-pop era.

Australian dates include:
8th April   Showroom @ HBF Stadium
10th April Milanos Hotel Melbourne
11th April Shoppingtown Doncaster
12th April The Basement Sydney
15th April Lizottes Newcastle
All tickets will go on sale on Monday Feb 2nd

http://www.midgeure.co.uk/
Midge Ure Facebook page

Here’s an interview from the last time AM’s Greg Phillips spoke to Midge.

Australian blues guitarist and Cole Clark Guitars endorsee Lloyd Spiegel performs at the Anaheim Marriot at NAMM for the 3rd year running. When Lloyd wasn’t playing licks on stage, he was spruiking the brand on the trade show floor. Here’s some footage of both! www.coleclarkguitars.com www.lloydspiegel.com

Always great to see a venue opening rather than close. Respected Melbourne venue, The Workers Club and revered Geelong music bookers, Spinning Half have joined forces and announced the opening of Geelong’s newest live music and entertainment venue, The Workers Club Geelong.  Set to open on Little Malop Street in late March, The Workers Club will offer a top-notch live music experience & culture for artists & punters alike.

With over a thousand gigs under their belt and having hosted the likes of everyone from Slash to Lorde to Tame Impala, it’s no wonder The Workers Club Melbourne are thrilled to share the news of their expansion.  Paired with local Geelong music bookers, Spinning Half who have put on over 500 Australian and international gigs in Geelong including Chet Faker, Parkway Drive and Dan Sultan, the venture is sure to be a roaring success that is welcomed with gusto by the local community.  Over thirty live original music shows have already been booked in at the venue, with the first artist announcement (an international act) set to be released today.

“We are driven to provide Geelong with a sustainable and reliable music venue that can service the country’s touring artists, along with showcasing local talent, while focused on helping grow The Workers Club brand,” explains Spinning Half director, Steven Nichols.

“With Spinning Half’s years of local experience and street cred, it is obvious that us pivotonians love good music, food and drink here in the city of dreams,” enthuses Geelong resident born and raised, The Workers Club Melbourne co-owner John O’Brien.  “We are confident that this will tie in with The Workers Club philosophy and look forward to sharing our mutual love of music.”

With a distinct lack of small to medium sized venues built with the purpose of live music in Geelong, The Workers Club’s main goal in the fit out is to ensure the band room space is designed for music with everything else to flow on from there.  “Artist comfort, sound and punter satisfaction are our main priorities,” explains Nichols, “While we can’t have music and entertainment every waking moment, our other key focuses are on awesome food and great beverage options in a comfortable and versatile environment.”

No parmies, no cover bands, no nightclub dj’s and no TV, but the new venue will be showing all the Geelong Cats games on the projector!  The Workers Club philosophy:  Indulge in some amazing tunes with fellow music lovers, chow down on good grub, drink interesting beers, ciders, local vino and then safely retire to your beds satisfied, cultured, content and full of good vibes

The Workers Club will open its doors in late March. Address: 90 – 92 Little Malop Street, Geelong VIC 3220
www.theworkersclubgeelong.com.au  
www.facebook.com/theworkersclubgeelong
www.instagram.com/workersgeelong  
www.twitter.com/workersgeelong

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