Island Records Australia Celebrates Local Music With Now & Next Showcase
Artists including Baker Boy, Peach PRC, Vera Blue, Bella Mackenzie, and more performed at the inaugural event.
Now & Next (Credit: Amanda Starkey)
Island Records Australia shone the spotlight on Australian and New Zealand talent at their inaugural showcase event, Now & Next.
The event took place last Friday (15 November) at The Market Canopy at Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter and hosted live music, food trucks, fan activations, and sold exclusive merchandise.
Hosted by Matty Mills, the event included live performances by hip-hop and R&B artists like Baker Boy and Ben Swissa, pop stars Peach PRC and Vera Blue, country up-and-comer Bella Mackenzie, indie singer-songwriter Charlie Collins, electronic group Hellcat Speedracer, and more.
By hosting the event, Island Records Australia brought music fans, music and industry entertainment industry professionals, and brand partners together for a spectacular day.
Don't miss a beat with our FREE daily newsletter
The brainchild of Island’s Managing Director, Nicole Richards, the event was born “to support our current and emerging artists.” Richards said the aim was to showcase new music to influential industry figures and enthusiastic fans, but with a twist.
“We didn’t want to do the standard showcase; we wanted to build a brand through an immersive experience, and I couldn’t be prouder of this platform we are providing our exceptionally talented roster of artists to connect, grow, and develop their audiences,” Richards said.
Universal Music President Sean Warner said that Now & Next “delivered” on its promise to be a brand-new event that would appeal to music fans and industry professionals.
Warner explained, “In order to break acts, to be taken seriously on our commitments, and to provide a platform for discovery and amplification to the industry and fans, we need to think differently, and we need to control our own destiny.
“NOW & NEXT delivered all of the above in abundance, and practically demonstrates why Island Records AU, and Universal Music Australia is the ‘place to be.”
Now & Next advise potential punters, artists, and industry figures to stay tuned for news about a 2025 event. This, it seems, was just the beginning.
More From Our Network
