Some of the most memorable shows happen outside of traditional venues. Backyard tours and DIY gigs are more than an alternative to conventional touring - they’re a chance to build community, create unique experiences and connect with audiences in spaces that feel like home.
This hands-on workshop walks you through how to build one from the ground up. Two industry experts - a booking agent and an event producer - will work through a real backyard tour across Sydney together, sharing the tools, thinking and real-world problem solving behind every stage of the process. They’ll cover tour routing and curation, logistics and budgeting, and marketing and community building and you’ll walk away with a clear framework to develop, manage and promote your own DIY shows and tours.
Stick around to listen to some of the sounds of Sydney, and connect with others interested in DIY touring - the conversations that happen after are often just as valuable as the workshop itself.
Artists, managers, booking agents and promoters who want to create meaningful live experiences, grow their community and take ownership of how they tour.
We’re making a playlist of NSW music to be spun in the background of our New Wave events – want to be featured? If you’re an artist, submit your Instagram handle, a link to one song (Spotify, Bandcamp etc.) and an EPK (if you have one) when registering your attendance. Please note: submission does not guarantee inclusion. The playlist will be curated by MusicNSW Program Manager Caitlin McGregor.

Jack Moran is an independent photographer based in Sydney. His skills include photography, videography, post-production, and social media marketing. Alongside Oscar Byrne, Jack runs Debaser, an organisation that arranges bookings, art shows, book publications and experiences. He’s deeply passionate about fostering community and believes Sydney is the best city in the world.

Jess is the Senior Booking Agent at Sydney-based entertainment agency Cult Artists. With over eight years of experience, Jess oversees bookings for a dynamic roster of 30+ artists across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia including names like LEISURE, Ecca Vandal, Egoism, Ayesha Madon, WILSN and many more. She is known for her strategic approach to touring and a deep commitment to the long-term development of both emerging and established acts.
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