Live local music event, School Night, is back to showcase rising Australian talent across Sydney and for the first time, Melbourne, in a series of free events throughout the year.
As part of its commitment to support local music and encourage more opportunities for up-and-coming songwriters to perform, APRA AMCOS will be partnering with the event for the first time to give rising songwriter members a chance to play.
The internationally acclaimed event launched in the US in 2010 and has been the place where chart toppers and Grammy Award winners got their first start, from Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa and YUNGBLUD to Aussies Amy Shark, Lime Cordiale, RÜFÜS DU SOL and The Teskey Brothers.
School Night Sydney launched in 2024, highlighting the best of the best in the burgeoning Australian music scene with future superstars such as flowerkid, Hellcat Speedracer, Miss Kaninna, Surely Shirley and The Tullamarines gracing the stage.
Oliver from Hellcat Speedracer explains: “It was unreal to be part of School Night, playing with a whole bunch of artists from different genres and also having the platform to showcase our music.”
School Night will host four free shows per year each at The Lansdowne in Sydney and new venue, The Evelyn in Melbourne, with the first event on Thursday 31 July in Melbourne featuring a stacked line-up including indie pop songstress Ama, electro punk duo Billions, energetic hip hop artist REDD. and alt rock four-piece Sunday Honey.
Expressions of interest will open in August for APRA AMCOS songwriter members to apply to perform via the APRA AMCOS website from the first Sydney event on Thursday 28 August onwards.
Adam Townsend, Director of Writer Services at APRA AMCOS, explains: “School Night is an incredible event that has been supporting local talent across the US, UK and locally for years now, so it’s a fantastic opportunity for our Australian songwriter members to perform and hone their craft.
“We know that rising local songwriters need all the opportunities they can get right now, so this is the perfect place for them to do that in front of key industry as well as music fans. It’s also a great opportunity for local music lovers to see some free, live music and discover their next favourite Aussie artist!”
Joel Siviour, Seismic Talent Agency, adds: “I’m so excited to have School Night return in Australia (and debut in Melbourne!) with APRA AMCOS’s support. Now, more than ever, Australian artists need pathways to help grow and expand their careers, and the undeniable legacy of School Night is the perfect platform to help spotlight the amazing homegrown talent we have here.”
Nathan Farrell, CLBR (booker for The Evelyn): “School Night is an iconic international new music brand. I’ve been lucky enough to attend the original LA night a few times and fully realise the effect it can have connecting developing acts to industry and fans. CLBR Is beyond proud to play a small part in hosting this night to Victoria and there is nowhere more deserving that The Evelyn Hotel. It’s been a massive part of developing Melbourne acts over the years and has been supporting live music for over 55 years.”
For further information and to RSVP for free tickets, visit Oztix.com.au.
www.apraamcos.com.au