As MusicNSW’s Regional Tours returned for the third time in 2025, 15 acts based in regional NSW hit the road over Spring, playing venues from the Central West, to the Far South Coast, the New England and the Northern Rivers.

This year’s program featured five distinct tours, each with its own character, region and sound - a reflection of just how musically diverse regional NSW really is:

Songbird Sessions - Saralyn + Jess Crossman + Lawdy Clawdy

Presented in partnership with Fish River Roasters, the Songbird Sessions wound through the Central West, stopping at gingerbird espresso in Cowra, Rustic Nature in Neville, and Barnes Store Emporium and Cafe in Murrumburrah to share in country, folk, pop and blues. 

The Wayfinder Tour - Sunday Lemonade + Jacq Heart + Kealy Day

Free-entry shows in Newcastle, Bellingen and Yamba brought together a folk-rock duo, a genre-bending Mid North Coast songwriter, and a North Coast storyteller.

Rising North Tour - Shelly Brown + Pam Hata + The Florin Arc

Kicking off at the Jacaranda Festival in Grafton before heading to Byron Bay and Bellingen, this tour brought together indie soul, R&B and trip-pop.

Future Sounds Tour - Lillian McVeity + Jakob Poyner + Harriet Lowe

Three young acts from the South Coast and surrounds played Goulburn, Bingie and Bermagui - a trio of singer-songwriters whose music leaves a mark.

Metal Tour - Alpha Cult + Boudicca + Scene Thru Sleep

A first for the program, three heavy acts brought the noise to Dubbo, Wagga Wagga and Newcastle and local fans came out in force.

What the Tours are built to do

These tours provide artists based in regional areas the chance to get real touring experience under their belt, connect with new audiences and forge relationships with venues. 

As then-Regional Manager Ali Buckley put it when the 2025 acts were announced: the tours support the activations of venues and create new touring routes right across regional NSW giving artists the opportunity to hone their touring craft with support from MusicNSW’s Regional team, who are embedded across the state and provide important guidance and support through the 6-month program.

Our 2025 cohort

Alpha Cult · Boudicca · Harriet Lowe · Jacq Heart · Jakob Poyner · Jess Crossman · Kealy Day · Lawdy Clawdy · Lillian McVeity · Pam Hata · Saralyn · Scene Thru Sleep · Shelly Brown · Sunday Lemonade · The Florin Arc