2026 Regional and Remote Music Summit Proves Massive Success

The third annual Regional and Remote Music Summit proved another massive success, with more than 40 speakers taking to the stage across 11 insightful sessions.

Held in Berrin/Mount Gambier on the Limestone Coast last week across three days from Wednesday 28 to Friday 30 October, the summit was focused on discussing the future of music outside Australia's capital cities.

Presented by MusicSA, the peak body for music in South Australia, there were more than 250 participants from across Australia, including artists, venue operators, festival producers, local government, educators, peak bodies and funders.

Opening with a series of roundtables focused on the South Australian music industry on Wednesday, more than 45 SA-based artists and industry professionals took a deep dive into SA's regional music landscape and how it can grow and evolve from here on.

Thursday's panels asked what a connected, sustainable regional music system could look like by 2035, with artists Grace Chia, PAYDAE (DEM MOB), Rob Edwards and Sophie Edwards delivering a clear message: regional and remote artists are often more equipped for industry opportunities than metropolitan peers because their practice is DIY by necessity.

Opposing this view were Daan Steffens (Gutwrench Records), David Corbet (The Sound Doctor), Jack Lane (Rock Lock Records) and Nicole Wright (Neighbourhood Productions), who considered that many will never reach commercial success simply because they lack visibility, calling on more support and sharing of knowledge to build regional music communities.

Friday saw Emily Tulloch (Australian Music Industry Network) and Sophie Jones (MusicNSW) introduce the Australian Music Touring Network, while Bronwyn Coulston (Service and Creative Skills Australia), Gully (DEM MOB), Letisha Ackland (Balya Productions) and educator Scott Maxwell lamented the decline in music education and called for skills and pathways to be built in the regions so people don't have to leave, arguing that music needs to come to regional communities rather than regional people moving to the cities.

Along with the daily panels, there was plenty of music across the city, with four major showcases: the Rock Lock Records Showcase at Woolstore Brewery, the Moshtix Margaritas and Showcase curated by GA Entertainment at the Globe Hotel, the Adelaide University Alumni Showcase at Limestone Coast Pantry, and the Carclew x Wildlive youth showcase on Thugi Lawns/Cave Garden Lawns.

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"RRMS in 2026 presented a rare opportunity to bring representatives from all states and territories into South Australia for an incredibly important discussion about music in regional and remote communities, and I am thrilled with the outcomes from the summit and the conversations it prompted," said MusicSA CEO Christine Schloithe.

"Artists were reflected and valued as the centre of our music ecosystem, new professional relationships were forged, new ideas and collaborations were floated and regionally-based industry shared common and experiences and aspirations. The buy-in and attention from everyone that attended was heard and felt." 

Deputy Premier and Minister for Arts Kyam Maher added, "It was great to see this national conversation take place in Mount Gambier. Attending the Summit and hearing directly from artists, industry leaders and regional music communities reinforced the important role music plays in connecting people, strengthening local identity and creating opportunities outside our capital cities.

"The ideas and experiences shared throughout the Summit will help inform how we continue to support a strong, vibrant and sustainable music ecosystem across regional and remote South Australia." 

The 2027 Regional and Remote Music Summit will head to Queensland.