Thank you to everyone who participated in the consultation survey. There were a lot of positives to take away from the survey, and we really appreciate all those who added additional comments and feedback on policies and projects. Some of the key findings were:

• People wanted to see budgets directed towards supporting local gigs/festivals, and supporting grassroots music venues;
• Public safety on late-night public transports and venue accessibility emerged as the biggest policy concerns;
• The top-ranked ACOM projects were (in order): the Music in Venues fund, the development of a national Music City strategy, and our gender equality programme, Equaliser.

The vast majority of respondents (84%) also supported the need for a regional music office. For the full survey results CLICK HERE.

Congratulations to Brodie, Gemma, Jo, Koen and Moana who each won a copy of This Must Be The Place: How Music Can Make Your City Better by Shain Shapiro.

With the majority of our Music in Venues: Level Up recipients having staged their events, we thought it was a good time to release some of the numbers on this project. Huge thanks again to Creative NZ for making this project possible! The quote below sums up much of the feedback we received from our recipients, and we're looking forward to the 2025 edition.

“Thank you for this funding. It is a great way to support the music scene in Tāmaki Makaurau, and because of the resources we received, we made so much happen.”

Go to our pages on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn to see a selection of photos from some of the funded events.

Music In Venues: Level Up supports UN Sustainable Development Goal #8: Decent Work & Economic Growth

In a partnership between the Paris 2024 Cultural Olympiad, the Arab World Institute, and the Make Music Alliance, artists around the world will unite their music, and their hearts, through a musical relay on June 21st/22nd for international Make Music Day.

Starting in Auckland City of Music and traveling throughout Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe, this 100% live online broadcast, entitled Pulsations (meaning “heartbeats” in French), will feature musicians in 24 countries. Taking turns on the broadcast, each band will perform a 10-minute set, ending their last song with a “heartbeat” rhythm composed by renowned French-Lebanese trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf. At that moment, like the passing of the Olympic torch, the band in the next country will join the livestream, match the heartbeat rhythm, and seamlessly begin their own set.

After four hours of diverse music joined by a common rhythm, the livestream arrives at the Arab World Institute in Paris, where Ibrahim Maalouf & The Trumpets of Michel-Ange will perform a final, hour-long set. The full program will be streamed live at makemusicday.org.

Pulsations Livestream Schedule
Saturday 22 June: 1:00AM – 5:00AM (New Zealand time)
Friday 21 June: 3:00PM – 7:00PM (Paris time)

First Hour: New Zealand, Australia, Japan, China, India, Ukraine
Second Hour: Turkey, Ireland, Greece, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria
Third Hour: Ghana, Brazil, Mexico, United States, Canada, United Kingdom*
Fourth Hour: Italy, Cyprus, Portugal, Czech Republic, Germany*, France

* UK and Germany will be represented by artists from our sister UNESCO cities Belfast City of Music and Hannover City of Music respectively.

Meet the artist
Aotearoa will be represented by TOI who hail from our fellow UNESCO creative city, Wellington City of Film. TOI collaborated with the New Zealand Olympic Team to create the soulful and uplifting anthem ‘Ain’t Just Dreaming’, featuring Olympians Max Brown and Ellesse Andrews. The song went to #1 on the Hot NZ Singles Chart, and will be played at NZ Team functions in Paris during the Olympic Games. Their performance will be live-streamed from The Production Co. in Avondale, Auckland.

1 May 2024

The Hidden Gems of Music Tourism

Our own "Sonic Gem Seeker", Director Mark Roach, has shared Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau with the rest of the world as part of The Hidden Gems of Music Tourism, a catalogue of music itineraries from all around the world to celebrate the Cape Breton Island Music Tourism Convention by Music Cities Events.

View the PDF here.

29 April 2024

Music In Venues: Level Up recipients announced

We received an overwhelming and encouraging number of applications for the latest iteration of Music In Venues.

The recipients this year include a diverse range of grassroots venues and promoters who will be delivering gigs, promotions and events that contribute to the city's music ecosystem and level up the professional creative sector workforce.

Recipients: Audio Foundation, Ding Dong Lounge, Halfway Down Showcase (Movespace), The Hollywood, Last Wednesdays Club (Movespace), Leadlight Lounge, Marmalade (The Tuning Fork), Neck of the Woods, 95bFM, Stereophonic / Techno & House, Strange News Touring, Susie Says!, SwampKult, The Tuning Fork, United Māori Artists, Whammy Bar, The Wine Cellar.

We acknowledge the support of Creative New Zealand in making this fund possible.

Music In Venues: Level Up supports UN Sustainable Development Goal #8: Decent Work & Economic Growth

25 March 2024

Auckland City of Music was pleased to represent our city at the latest UNESCO Cities of Music (UCOM) Annual Meeting hosted in London, Ontario, Canada (February 27-29).

Representatives from 28 different member cities, as well as neighbouring creative cities and the UNESCO National Commission for Canada came together to share knowledge, best practices and to further our professional networks.

The 3-day intensive conference featured presentations, workshops and tours of facilities and projects underway in London. In turn, ACOM Director Mark Roach presented to London's municipal and creative sector representatives on the topic of music incubators and creative hubs; imparting knowledge and examples of music sector initiatives from Auckland, including Ōtara Music Arts Centre, Parachute Music, Roundhead Studios & Big Fan.

4 March 2024

Auckland City of Music (ACOM) is a charitable trust acting as the regional music office for the Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland region, and represents Auckland Council’s designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Music.  
 
ACOM is currently seeking members to join the inaugural ACOM Music Advisory Board. Artists and music industry professionals with a passion for the regional music industry are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest to join the ACOM Music Advisory Board.
 
This is an exciting opportunity to help lead music development and make a significant impact to artists, businesses, audiences and music communities across the Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland region.

To apply, please complete the Expression of Interest application form along with your current resume outlining relevant skills, experience and qualifications.

Applications close Friday 29th March

APPLICATION FORM

4 March 2024

First initiated in France in 1982 as Fête de la Musique, Make Music Day is now celebrated by over 1000 cities and 120 countries around the globe on June 21 every year. Auckland City of Music is pleased to announce that we are bringing this international celebration of music to Aotearoa New Zealand for the very first time!

Make Music New Zealand is an all-day, free, non-profit celebration taking place in neighbourhoods, towns and cities around Aotearoa. Participation is encouraged from all ages, genres and abilities, from indie rock to classical to taonga puoro, from enthusiastic amateurs to professional artists and everything in between.

We invite music enthusiasts from everywhere to come participate by performing, attending or volunteering. Join us to celebrate music as part of an international event with its heart and soul in our local communities!

Performer, venue and event registrations open Monday 1st April.

Official Make Music Day NZ website

Make Music Day supports UN Sustainable Development Goal #3: Good Health & Well Being

4 March 2024

Award-winning Lyttleton Mel Parsons will be releasing her new single “Little Sadness” this Friday, with the accompanying video conceptualised and directed by Morgan Leary made via the support of Auckland City of Music’s Equaliser (EQ) initiative.

Downbeat and hypnotic, ‘Little Sadness’ captures the melancholic and beautiful juxtaposition of living. Delicate lyricism showcases Parsons' skill for transforming often complex subjects into relatable indie-folk tunes of both light and dark. The video’s black and white visuals encapsulate a Lynch-esque vibe, filmed in the Hollywood Theatre in Avondale, Auckland and starring two stunning octogenarian ballroom dancers.

Pre-save the audio on Apple, Bandcamp and Spotify: https://found.ee/LittleSadness

Follow Mel Parsons: Web / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

Equaliser (EQ) supports UN Sustainable Development Goal #5: Gender Equality

8 December 2023

Destined to become the soundtrack to many memorable moments, award-winning Aotearoa singer-songwriter and producer AJA has today unveiled her new RnB love song, ‘True Love’.

A soulful track that pulls you into a wonderful, hazy dream, ‘True Love’ is about celebrating love and how, through meaningful connections, we discover our truest selves. Made with the support of Auckland UNESCO City of Music EQ Grant, it was written in collaboration with AJA’s cousin - composer, author and guitarist Te Kawa Herangi.

Listen to ‘True Love’ HERE

Also being released today is a beautifully produced ‘love story’ music video that unfolds in a stylish hotel bar between singer (AJA) and patron (actor Tola Newbery). Throughout the video,  it becomes clear that each set, costume, frame and movement has been carefully considered by director Jessica Sanderson (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga, Te Ātiawa, Pākehā) and captured by director of photography Matt Henly. It was through the Auckland UNESCO City of Music EQ Grant that AJA and Jessica came together.  EQ is a gender equality programme that provides funding for music videos and networking, and was developed in association with Woman in Film & Television (WIFT) and SAE Creative Media Institute. Jessica is a television & film director who often has themes around identity and memory appear in her work. She is passionate about working on stories that promote healing, and documentaries that can elevate inspiring voices to influence positive change. She’s also a trained designer and inspired to create beautiful imagery - which she has succeeded in with the ‘True Love’ music video.

Watch ‘True Love’ HERE

Your invitation to EQ at the NZ Music Month Summit

Auckland City of Music's Equaliser (EQ) initiative provides a unique opportunity for creative collaboration between female artists and female directors, and invites a wider discussion regarding female-led creative workspaces in the music sector.Hear from the musicians, producers and directors working in this space, and how to participate in the growing EQ community.

Panellists

• Reshma Martin - Artist
• Abigail Knudson - Artist Missy, Producer
• Anna Duckworth - Film Maker, Director 

Moderator: Sarah Thomson Funding Advisor, NZ On Air 

Thanks to the NZ Music Commission, this EQ event is happening as part of the 2023 Official NZ Music Month Summit.

The live stream will be available on the day through the MMF Aotearoa and Music Commission Facebook and YouTube channels, with online moderators to take your questions and feed them through to the live panels.

Alongside the live stream, this year’s NZ Music Month Summit will be held for a limited live audience at the Tuning Fork – in Auckland. To secure a ticket for the in-person event, you can register at Moshtix.

Topics covered at the NZ Music Month Summit this year will include collaborating for business success, finding your collaborative community, collaborating in the recording studio, an update from both SoundCheck Aotearoa and The Waiata Anthems crew. Stay tuned for the full programme and speaker reveal next week!

Date: Saturday 27 May
Time of panel: 2.00pm - 2.50pm
Venue: The Tuning Fork, 42 - 80 Mahuhu Crescent, Parnell, Auckland
FREE EVENT with REGISTRATION

See below for full Summit details.

The NZ Music Month Summit is back for 2023 with a packed one-day programme featuring panel discussions and presentations around music industry topics and information. The Summit will be held live at the Tuning Fork on Saturday 27 May, with free attendance for registrants.

The live stream will be available on the day through the MMF Aotearoa and Music Commission Facebook and YouTube channels, with online moderators to take your questions and feed them through to the live panels.

Alongside the live stream, this year’s NZ Music Month Summit will be held for a limited live audience at the Tuning Fork – in Auckland. To secure a ticket for the in-person event, you can register at Moshtix.

Topics covered at the NZ Music Month Summit this year will include collaborating for business success, finding your collaborative community, collaborating in the recording studio, an update from both SoundCheck Aotearoa and The Waiata Anthems crew. 

Presented by the MMF Aotearoa and the NZ Music Commission, with support from our industry organisation partners APRA AMCOS, NZ On Air and Recorded Music NZ, the NZ Music Month Summit provides useful, practical information for emerging artists and music professionals to grow and thrive in their careers. 

TUNING FORK & online
SATURDAY 27 MAY
10.45 AM TO 5 PM
FREE with REGISTRATION

See website for details

8 November 2022

Auckland City of Music | Tāmaki Makaurau Pā Puoro was named Best Global Music City at the 3rd Annual Music Cities Awards at a ceremony in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Saturday 5th November NZT. This is the second successive win for Auckland at these awards, following on from 2021’s award as Best Global Music Office.

The Music Cities Awards is a global competition designed to acknowledge and reward the most outstanding applications of music for economic, social, environmental and cultural development in cities and places all around the world.

The aim of the Best Global Music City category is to celebrate the city that has best integrated music into as many aspects of its development as possible, with the winning city able to demonstrate that it is actively supporting its music ecosystem, as well as integrating music into improving equity & inclusion, economic development, health, tourism, urban planning, night time economy, community building, and more.

This year’s jury was impressed with the work Auckland City of Music has been doing and the impact the work has on communities across Tāmaki Makaurau.

Mark Roach, Director of Auckland City of Music, says “This award recognises the place that music plays in building world-class cities. By designing and embedding music-friendly policies in city planning; creating & protecting the spaces and places that music needs to thrive; and caring for the unique sounds of this region, we can create a sustainable music ecosystem for all. There is still much mahi to do, but in winning this award, I am confident we are on course to realise Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s potential as a global creative capital [1].”

With the aim of the awards being to promote best practice and demonstrate the value of music to the world, Luke Jones, CEO of Music Cities Events, the awards producer, states “We’re delighted with the success of the third edition of the Music Cities Awards. We received over 150 applications from twenty countries and five continents, and each application demonstrated how versatile and powerful music can be. It was exciting to be able to gather all of these examples of how music can be used to improve cities around the world.”

Mirla Edmundson, Auckland Council’s Acting Director of Customer and Community Services, says “We’re thrilled this award recognises the efforts of the partnership and acknowledges our unique music industry and culture across Tāmaki Makaurau. Auckland is a highly creative city, filled with world-class musicians, music workers, orchestras, venues and festivals and it’s wonderful to help play a part in bringing them to the world stage.”

The win recognises key Auckland City of Music and Auckland Council activations and projects, as well as the collaborative efforts of the municipal and music sector partners to find ways to solve challenges and maximise opportunities within the ecosystem. 

More information can be found here.

[1] Tātaki Auckland Unlimited published Create Auckland 2030, a strategy for growing the creative economy. The vision statement is to see “Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland navigating towards a glo bal creative capital.” https://www.aucklandnz.com/createakl2030