Supporting the Talent Development Project

Come and join me for a night of great live music with my special support acts Chris Cobb and Gracie Winter!

This gig is part of the Talent Development Project, supporting young musicians to grow their skills, and it’s also a fundraiser for Wishlist, a local Sunshine Coast charity that raises money to provide support services and emergency hospital accommodation for kids and their families.

This blog post gives a bit of insight into the assignment behind the event and what’s involved in bringing a night like this together from scratch.

Project Overview

As part of the Talent Development Project, I’m required to design, promote, and deliver a a gig with me as the headline act.  It’s not just about getting on stage and performing it’s about learning everything that happens behind the scenes.

The project focuses on:

• Independent project management
• Live event planning and delivery
• Marketing and audience engagement
• Working with other artists
• Financial responsibility and fundraising

Every element of this event has been organised by me.

What I’ve Been Doing

Event Concept & Planning

I started by creating the concept for the night, the type of event, the audience, and the atmosphere I wanted to create. The goal was a relaxed, welcoming night of live music that brings people together while supporting a great cause.

Venue Booking

I researched venues, made enquiries, but because it was so close to Christmas and New Year, and I had to organise the gig before I went to Tamworth, time was limited.  I finally decided on Crystal Waters and booked it because it has a laid-back vibe and community feel which I thought would be perfect for the night.

Last time I played at Crystal Waters (June 2024)

Booking Support Acts

I then got onto my good friend Chris Cobb and asked if he would be my support act and he agreed, then I also asked my guitar student Gracie Winter if she would open the show for me.  Gracie has not played much publicly before, so I thought this would be a great experience for her. 

Chris

Gracie

I then had to coordinate schedules, set lists, and performance details, which gave me experience in working with other artists.   There might even be a couple of duets between Chris and me on the night.

Marketing & Promotion

I’ve been responsible for all promotion, including:

• Creating and sharing event content
• Promoting the gig across social media and community networks
• Writing event descriptions and updates
• Encouraging people not just to say they’re coming, but to actually grab a ticket

Ticket Sales & Fundraising

For the ticket sales, I used Humanitix, who also donate their money to charity. Because I told them I was doing a charity event, they reduced the fees for me.  I picked a price point that was affordable so that hopefully more people would come. 

What to Expect on the Night

It’s shaping up to be a really fun, relaxed evening with:

• Original songs and well-loved favourites
• Live performances from all artists
• Pizza available from Crystal Waters Sourdough Bakery
• A bar and a campfire
• The option to stay overnight at Crystal Waters Caravan Park

Tickets & Details

🎟 Tickets

• $15 online
• $20 at the door
• $40 Family Ticket (2 adults + 4 kids)
• https://events.humanitix.com/wishlist-fundraiser

Come for the music, stay for the vibes, and be part of something special.