Be Hear Now, events for music makers

Music lovers are counting down to the fourth annual Be Hear Now live music festival.

This year’s Be Hear Now program will see a series of learning and networking events held across central Ballarat run by the City of Ballarat to support music practitioners and help build sustainable creative practices.  

The main feature is the Be Hear Now Live Music Conference, held over 9, 10 and 11 August in the Civic Hall, and other venues across Ballarat.  

The free event features exclusive opportunities for those in the music industry, those wanting to break into the industry and those who simply enjoy music.  

Many live music events across the festival period include gigs at Civic Hall, Ballarat Municipal Observatory, Irish Murphys and Trades Hall.  

Special events include Letter to Myself, an interview with Janet English from Spiderbait, Drumming class with Ray Periera, panel discussions about getting onto festival playbills, and educational sessions to help up and coming musicians with business, music releases and networking.  

A unique book launch, A Hill to Die On, will also be held on Sunday 11 August, by Nathan Curnow. Nathan will read from his book, with musical response provided by Geoffrey – a creative partnership which has toured internationally.  

The events held during the conference are intended to be accessible to all levels of music ability and interest. To see the full program and register for the free event visit the Be Hear Now conference website.  

This three-day event is a culmination of the work completed by a select group of musical practitioners identified as the ‘ones to watch’. Find out more about the 2024 Be Hear Now Cohort and celebrate the cohort’s achievements this year. Their performances can be seen across the weekend:

• Coda Chroma and Dayfever, supporting Augie March at the Civic Hall on Saturday 10 August 2024. Tickets available here  
• Surfe and Aaliyah, Civic Hall, Sunday 11 August 2024. Free event.  

The cohort have also been able to participate in many incredible events over the year, most recently a songwriting course with the Grammy Award winning Franc Tetaz, who has also been involved in the program in an ongoing capacity, working with Ballarat songwriters.  

Local artist and Be Hear Now 2024 cohort member Aaliyah said she has really appreciated the opportunity to network and collaborate with fellow Ballarat musicians.

“It's allowed me to learn so much about myself as an artist throughout the process,” she said.  

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said when he met the 2024 cohort, he saw some incredible musical talents.    

“Since 2019, when the program commenced, we have been committed to supporting performers in Ballarat, identifying talent and providing mentoring and training,” he said.  

“Performers this year have had incredible opportunities to continue to develop, and I urge you to come and enjoy some of the musical offerings over the weekend, to sample some of Ballarat’s talented musicians and support our creative nighttime economy.”