WAM Festival Speaker Profile: Damian Cunningham

Organisation and Position: Live Music Office - Audience and Sector Development Director 

How did you first become involved in the music business? I played around in a band when I was 16 but quickly discovered I was better at the business and organising side of the music! So I ended up putting on gigs with school friends that lead to being involved with shows at uni. 

What's your area of expertise and what experience do you have? Like most people in the music industry you have to be good or have a working knowledge across every facet the music business. If I had to choose one area it would be live performance, festivals and touring. 

What topics will you be mostly talking about at WAM? The live music scene - its development and sustaining it across all areas of performance, particularly venue-based shows.

What do you hope to personally take away from the WA Music Conference and WAM Festival events? I always learn things at conferences! Getting the opportunity to network with artists, venue owners/manager, see live shows and meet with the broader industry is always inspiring and motivates the projects I'm involved with.

What's one question about the music industry you'd love to have the answer to? How do I clone myself? So I don't miss any of the great artists performing at WAM!

One piece of advice to make it in the music biz? Believe in yourself, take every opportunity offered and watch, listen and learn from everyone.