Call For Support, Not Regulation, Of Aus Industry

A panel of industry heavyweights including Catherine Haridy (Catherine Haridy Management), Stephen Wade (Select Music), Andy Kelly (Ivy League/Winterman & Goldstein), Jessica Ducrou (Splendour In The Grass, Homebake, Village Sounds) and Brian “Smash” Chladil (OzTix) discussed what could be done about “cowboys” in the music industry in the Cloudland Moon Room this afternoon.

The respective merits of peak bodies to assist up and coming managers, promoters and booking agents was promoted, but the potential for actual enforced regulation to crush good ideas before they get off the ground meant that there was very little support for such measures.

“I'd love if the spirit of entrepreneurship is not killed,” Smash said. “I always think regulation is a bad thing; if people act appropriately we don't need it. But there are cowboys and I don't know what's gonna end that. Has regulation in other industries stopped the cowboys?”

The call for peak bodies to exist as a sounding board and support network was fairly unanimous, Catherine Haridy, who is also chair of the Association of Artist Managers, said she feels it's her responsibility and the responsibility of those who have made something of themselves thanks to music, to become involved.

“I wanna see people have a really enjoyable and fruitful an incredible experience with contemporary music. I think it's my duty and responsibility to do that and I think it's everyone else's as well.”

Stephen Wade's comments on the matter were rather similar, saying that he's sick of the lack of support for newcomers to the music industry.

“My frustration is, I see a lot of young people with enormous talent and often they're like a dear in the headlights. It'd be great to have peak bodies form and let younger people feel that there's pathways and people they can go to if things go a bit pear shaped. After 20 years I'm a bit sick of 'That's the way it is'.”

“I think it's not so much about regulating the person, it's about regulating the process,” said Andy Kelly, before admitting he wasn't sure what it meant but it would look good in a tweet.

This year Jessica Ducrou had her fair share of problems with the New South Wales Police, with the Splendour In The Grass liquor license restricting them to selling midstrength alcohol. She believes that if Police had their way, there would be no alcohol at festivals at all.