In a world that can feel dominated by algorithms and analytics, artists and their fans, the world over continues to turn to merch in droves. So what is it that makes us beeline for a table of shirts, patches, zines and other tidbits to take home?
More than just a souvenir, lovingly crafted merch offers fans a way to feel connected with artists, to show support and to feel part of a community.
Join this esteemed panel of ‘makers’ - Luke Player, Amber Rose (Wanderer Magazine) & Lisa Diebold (Soft Power), hosted by Reece Grogan (Yeah Rad) - to talk about why merch matters and how to make it work for you.
Independent artists - don’t miss this chance to hear direct from this panel on how to think creatively to find the perfect merch for you, how to get it made affordably and sustainably, and to start selling it to your fans.
Stay on to meet others, have a drink and celebrate the local scene with Wollongong Music Trivia hosted by Wanderer Magazine.
AMBER-ROSE LAYTON
Founder, Wanderer Magazine & Wander The Studio
Wanderer Magazine is an independent print publication dedicated to exploring culture, creativity, and community across Wollongong and the world. At the magazine and Wanderer The Studio, Amber-Rose’s work focuses on storytelling and design that foster connection—collaborating with artists, festivals, and cultural organisations to craft meaningful narratives across digital and print platforms.
LISA DIEBOLD
Co-Founder, Soft Power
Soft Power is a female-owned and run studio specialising in screen printing using water-based inks. With an eye for design and a focus on high quality garments, Lisa and Soft Power Co-Founder Emma hope their products live to circulate in op-shops for decades to come. Lisa, who graduated from the University of Wollongong in 2013, worked in various design agencies before finding love and purpose in the physical labour of screen printing.
LUKE PLAYER
Artist, Illustrator & Designer
Artist, illustrator and designer Luke Player is a collector and obsessive of old design, notably souvenir merchandise and psychedelia print. He uses bright and bold colours, type and imagery to touch on aspects of graphic work from a spectrum of eras and his clients include The Babe Rainbow, Hockey Dad, Flightless Records, The Murlocs, Surfing World Magazine, The Teskey Brothers, Universal Music and Wilderness Society Australia.
REECE GROGAN
Host, Yeah Rad
Reece is one half of Yeah Rad – a Sydney based creative studio churning out scroll-stopping social content for brands, breweries, festivals and artists sick of the same old stuff. He’s been involved in the music industry for over a decade; touring, playing and working with bands and artists across the globe, and understands all too well the struggles artists face in standing out from the crowd in an increasingly noisy space. Like his company’s namesake, he’s all about helping good people make rad stuff.
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