Australian Festival Industry Conference 2025

Lars Brandle is one of Australia’s leading music industry writers, an agenda-setting and award-winning journalist who is a regular speaker at conferences at home and abroad, on television, radio, and as a pundit for online and traditional news channels.

In June 2024, Lars was appointed as Head of Content at The Brag Media, now part of the Sydney-based Vinyl Group. In that role, Lars oversees the content for The Brag's titles, including Rolling Stone AU/NZ, Variety AU, Tone Deaf and The Music Network.

Lars has been the face of Billboard in Australia as its Australia correspondent, and global “overnight” editor. He joined the legendary trade bible in London in 2000 as International Editor of the multiple award-winning daily newsletter Billboard Bulletin, and served as Global News Editor from 2004 until 2008, when he returned to his native Brisbane.

Lars is a sought-after guest speaker and moderator at major music industry conferences at home and abroad. In Australia, he has appeared at Bigsound (Brisbane), ARIA Masterclass and Electronic Music Conference (Sydney), SXSW Sydney, Venues Management Association Congress (Melbourne, Brisbane), Clearer Festival industry conference (Kiama), Australian Music Prize (Sydney), Face the Music (Melbourne), One Movement (Perth), iNTune (Darwin & Alice Springs) and Amplified (Hobart), and across the Tasman for the Going Global Music Summit (Auckland).

Internationally, he is a regular speaker at All That Matters/Music Matters, Singapore, where highlights include keynote interviews with YouTube global head of music Lyor Cohen (2017), EDM star Alan Walker (2018), and a virtual interview in 2020 with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Chuck D and Cohen. Other conference appearances include MIDEM in Cannes, Popkomm in Cologne and Berlin, the Amsterdam Dance Event, and London’s City Showcase.

Lars is regularly interviewed by ABC TV and radio on music-related topics and has conducted live-to-air interviews on CNN and American Public Media’s Marketplace. He featured prominently in the “Australian Story” documentary on Luc Longley (2021), which has racked up more than seven million views across multiple platforms, making it the most-watched special in the ABC series’ long history. Lars shared in the spoils when “One Giant Leap” won for best sport profile – broadcast at the 2021 Sport Australia Media Awards.

John Rostron is the Chief Executive of the Association of Independent Festivals, the UK's festival representative body. AIF membership has grown rapidly in recent years and now supports around 150 of the leading independent music festivals in the UK. Amongst other things John also Chairs the LIVE Expert Group for festivals and sits on the Advisory Board for Vision For Sustainable events supporting a more sustainable outdoor events sector. 

In 2023 John was appointed to the Board of Creative Wales - the Welsh Govt department for the Creative Industries. He advises on the Music Sector in Wales.

The Hon. John Graham MLC was elected in 2016 to serve the people of NSW and appointed his Ministerial portfolios in 2023.

As NSW Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Minister for Roads, Special Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, the Hon. John Graham MLC is working at the intersection of culture, technology & entrepreneurship.

He is committed to supporting vibrant and inclusive cultural industries, creative cities, and the creative economy.

Victoria Scott is a strategic leader with over 20 years of global experience in major events and destination marketing. She has held senior roles across government, commercial, and media sectors, delivering high-impact initiatives in Australia and the UK.

As Director of Cultural, Entertainment and Destination Events at Tourism and Events Queensland, the Queensland Government's lead marketing, experience development and major events agency, she leads the attraction and development of high-value cultural events aligned with the state’s tourism and economic priorities. She also oversees the Queensland Destination Events Program, supporting more than 150 regional events annually.

Victoria has a proven track record of securing, developing, and delivering events that boost visitation, drive economic growth, and elevate Queensland on the world stage.

Jason Holmes is a specialist in insurance for festivals, major events, entertainment, film, conference and exhibition industries. He began his insurance career with an international broker back in 1995, and over the last 27 years, has looked after insurance for all facets of the entertainment industry. In 2007, he founded H2 Insurance Solutions.

With a portfolio of national and international clients, including TEG, Frontier Touring, Regional Touring, Zaccaria Concerts & Touring, The Untitled Group, Chugg Entertainment, Bluesfest, Live Nation, Nitro Circus and many more, Jason has all the tools and experience to best represent his clients to insurers.

Jason is always looking for areas of improvement and prides himself on understanding the unique needs of his clients, to ensure their specifications are met and expectations are exceeded. Whether it be a local community event or a large festival or national/international tour, a local TV production or an international feature film, H2 Insurance Solutions have an experienced team throughout Australia and New Zealand and across the globe who are ready to provide insurance advice and solutions with service and integrity.

John Rostron is the Chief Executive of the Association of Independent Festivals, the UK's festival representative body. AIF membership has grown rapidly in recent years and now supports around 150 of the leading independent music festivals in the UK. Amongst other things John also Chairs the LIVE Expert Group for festivals and sits on the Advisory Board for Vision For Sustainable events supporting a more sustainable outdoor events sector. 

In 2023 John was appointed to the Board of Creative Wales - the Welsh Govt department for the Creative Industries. He advises on the Music Sector in Wales.

Peter Noble OAM is the driving force behind Bluesfest Byron Bay, one of Australia’s most iconic and internationally acclaimed music festivals. As Festival Director, he has grown Bluesfest into a world-class event, hosting legendary artists like Bob Dylan, BB King, Patti Smith and Tom Jones, while also championing emerging talent.

With decades of experience as a musician, agent, and promoter, Peter is dedicated to keeping live music alive and thriving. His passion for sustainability, artist development, and community engagement has helped shape Bluesfest into more than just a festival—it’s a cultural institution. His contributions earned him the Medal of the Order of Australia.

Greg joined the Apex Club of Gympie in 1999. During his time in the club, he held numerous positions on the Muster organising committee and contributed countless volunteer hours to the event. In 2016 Greg joined the board of GML and took up the position of Chair. In April 2023 when he was appointed CEO.

The Gympie Music Muster, a highlight on the Australian festival calendar. The iconic festival has been running for 42 years and to sum it up, “It’s so much more than great music”.

Set amongst the spectacular Australian bush, in the Amamoor State Forest and camping festival as much as a music festival. The Muster has its roots in country music which continues to be the dominant genre but also includes a great line-up in Blues, Rock, Folk, Bluegrass and many more. There is a wide range of entertainment to augment the music; favourites such as musical workshops, dancing and bush poets are regulars but there is always elements of surprise and novel curation each year.

The event is run by the Gympie Muster Limited (GML) on behalf of the Apex Club of Gympie with the assistance of over 30 community groups and service clubs. The Muster has raised over 21m since its inception for the community and multiple national charities.

Alana Hay is the Founder and Managing Director of Milestone Creative Australia - a multi award-winning event marketing, digital, social and creative agency. Alana is an experienced marketing professional with 20+ years’ experience in operations and marketing for major events and festivals, business events, venues, hospitality, music, entertainment and tourism. She has previously served as a director of Meetings & Events Australia.

Alana has led hundreds of national and global event marketing campaigns and strategies for festivals and major events. Examples include SailGP, Bondi Festival, Very Short Film Festival, Naidoc Week celebrations, Pride and Joy Sydney, Cheeky Food Events, Park Sounds, and many more!

Charlie is the CEO of Brisbane Festival, one of the city’s most anticipated annual events, celebrating arts and culture. In 2020, it was among the first major live performance events during COVID-19, employing 1,000+ artists, commissioning 28 new works, and delivering 573 performances citywide. 

Previously, as General Manager of Circa Contemporary Circus (2013–2018), he led its global success, securing key contracts like the Commonwealth Games Arts Festival. Charlie has held senior arts and government roles, shaping Brisbane’s creative landscape. He holds multiple degrees, including a Master of Arts in Cultural Leadership, and serves on Queensland’s Night-Life Economy Advisory Panel.

Vicky Lowry is the General Manager of Deni Play on the Plains Festival Ltd, overseeing the renowned Deni Ute Muster and other regional events.

Deni Ute Muster is a nationally iconic event that celebrates Australian rural culture, with 20,000 attendees annually that significantly boosts tourism and the local economy in Deniliquin.

With a strategic focus on tourism, infrastructure development, and financial sustainability, she drives initiatives that enhance the visitor economy. Vicky has successfully secured funding for key projects, mentors staff, and fosters industry collaborations. She plays a pivotal role in promoting Deniliquin as a premier event destination while reinvesting profits to improve site operations.

Passionate about regional growth, she continues to innovate, support emerging talent, and strengthen the festival industry through strategic leadership and partnerships.

Sam is based on the Gold Coast, and heads up the major events team at Code Four, promoting Pacific Airshow on the beaches of both the Gold Coast, Australia and Huntington Beach California, long with other events.

Prior to joining Code Four’s Pacific Airshow team, Sam worked as an Event Manager for Supercars for 11+ years, helping bring to life Australia’s largest motorsport events and concerts. He has also been involved with the World Rally Championship (WRC) and other major concerts in Australia.

Sam started his own craft beer festival (Crafted Festival) with his sister, which is now operated by the Code Four team and takes place in both the Gold Coast and Newcastle. He also graduated university with a Bachelor of Business with double majors in Event an Sports Management.

Lars Brandle is one of Australia’s leading music industry writers, an agenda-setting and award-winning journalist who is a regular speaker at conferences at home and abroad, on television, radio, and as a pundit for online and traditional news channels.

In June 2024, Lars was appointed as Head of Content at The Brag Media, now part of the Sydney-based Vinyl Group. In that role, Lars oversees the content for The Brag's titles, including Rolling Stone AU/NZ, Variety AU, Tone Deaf and The Music Network.

Lars has been the face of Billboard in Australia as its Australia correspondent, and global “overnight” editor. He joined the legendary trade bible in London in 2000 as International Editor of the multiple award-winning daily newsletter Billboard Bulletin, and served as Global News Editor from 2004 until 2008, when he returned to his native Brisbane.

Lars is a sought-after guest speaker and moderator at major music industry conferences at home and abroad. In Australia, he has appeared at Bigsound (Brisbane), ARIA Masterclass and Electronic Music Conference (Sydney), SXSW Sydney, Venues Management Association Congress (Melbourne, Brisbane), Clearer Festival industry conference (Kiama), Australian Music Prize (Sydney), Face the Music (Melbourne), One Movement (Perth), iNTune (Darwin & Alice Springs) and Amplified (Hobart), and across the Tasman for the Going Global Music Summit (Auckland).

Internationally, he is a regular speaker at All That Matters/Music Matters, Singapore, where highlights include keynote interviews with YouTube global head of music Lyor Cohen (2017), EDM star Alan Walker (2018), and a virtual interview in 2020 with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Chuck D and Cohen. Other conference appearances include MIDEM in Cannes, Popkomm in Cologne and Berlin, the Amsterdam Dance Event, and London’s City Showcase.

Lars is regularly interviewed by ABC TV and radio on music-related topics and has conducted live-to-air interviews on CNN and American Public Media’s Marketplace. He featured prominently in the “Australian Story” documentary on Luc Longley (2021), which has racked up more than seven million views across multiple platforms, making it the most-watched special in the ABC series’ long history. Lars shared in the spoils when “One Giant Leap” won for best sport profile – broadcast at the 2021 Sport Australia Media Awards.