Artists and audiences across the Dubbo region will benefit from a NSW Government grant as the local live music scene re-emerges from its COVID hiatus.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has announced $12,350 from the NSW Government’s Arts and Cultural Funding Program for the Songwriters and Original Musicians Association Dubbo (SOMAD) Inc. to run a variety of original live music events in 2022.
“The Dubbo region is home to some amazing musicians and songwriters, and it’s really important to support them to share songs and stories of this time and place, but it can be difficult to find a stage for original music,” Mr Saunders said.
“Events will range from intimate acoustic performances at the Black Box Theatre, rock, country and heavy metal shows at participating local pubs, and the return of the community-run Under Western Skies Festival at Dundullimal Homestead.
“This funding will allow SOMAD to underwrite some of their costs to put on these events, including ensuring musicians are paid for their work.”
SOMAD president Fred Randell said people are hungry for live music to return after COVID.
“We’ve got a lot of great bands and great songwriters here but they don’t always have the opportunity to perform their art so grants like this really help us as an organisation to supplement the events we run around Dubbo,” Mr Randell said.
“It allows us to put on acoustic shows, metal shows, band nights at pubs, and it allows us to run events to reach different kinds of people.”