Monthly Music Meets: Building International Connections Through Music
International collaboration is about more than putting artists from different countries on the same stage. It is about building relationships, sharing ideas and creating the conditions for new creative opportunities to emerge.
That was the focus of Adelaide City of Music’s latest Monthly Music Meets, held at Ancient World in partnership with Mumbai-based transmedia label and cultural event series skip-a-beat, Adelaide artist Dave Court and Adelaide Fringe.
The event brought together artists, producers, programmers and music industry practitioners to explore the possibilities and realities of working across borders, with a particular focus on connections between South Australia and India.
The relationship between Adelaide and India has grown through ACOM’s work with the Adelaide Fringe’s Honey Pot program, which creates opportunities for artists and international industry representatives to connect during the festival.
At Monthly Music Meets, the evening commenced with an industry panel exploring the practical realities of international programming and exchange.
Moderated by ACOM General Manager Joe Hay, the discussion brought together Tejas Nair of skip-a-beat and EyeMyth Media Arts Festival, artist Know.Clu, Manish C of blaide.live, Georgie Murray from Adelaide Fringe and Sonal Patel from OzAsia Festival.
The artists discussed their creative practices, experiences of working across different cultural contexts, and the possibilities that can emerge when artists are given the opportunity to connect internationally.
For Dave and Tejas, what began through an industry program developed into a creative partnership, demonstrating how international exchange can have impacts that extend well beyond the initial meeting.
The panel explored the opportunities available to South Australian artists and producers looking internationally, while also addressing the realities involved in developing sustainable relationships across borders.
International collaboration requires more than finding an opportunity and getting on a plane. It involves understanding different markets, building trust, navigating logistics and cultural differences, and developing relationships that can support meaningful creative exchange over time.
For South Australian artists, these conversations provide valuable insight into what international opportunities can look like in practice.
Creating space for connections
One of the aims of Monthly Music Meets is to create an environment where these conversations can happen alongside the informal connections that are equally important to the music industry.
Following the discussion, the evening continued with performances from artists and collaborators, bringing together the people involved in the conversation with Adelaide’s broader music community.
For ACOM, creating these opportunities is an important part of our role as Adelaide’s UNESCO City of Music.
Through the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, Adelaide is connected to hundreds of cities around the world, creating a platform for cultural exchange and international collaboration. But networks only become valuable when relationships are developed and opportunities are created for people to work together.
Our work with Adelaide Fringe and Honey Pot is one example of how those connections can develop. By bringing international industry representatives to Adelaide, connecting them with local artists and creating opportunities for exchange, relationships can grow into creative partnerships, invitations, performances and new pathways into international markets.
Looking beyond borders
India is one example of the many international opportunities available to South Australian musicians and creatives.
ACOM will continue working with local and international partners to create opportunities for artists to explore new markets, develop relationships and learn from music communities around the world.
The success of these connections is ultimately measured not just by individual performances or events, but by what happens afterwards: the relationships that continue, the collaborations that develop and the new possibilities that become available to artists.
Thank you to everyone who joined us at Ancient World, and to Tejas Nair, Dave Court and Adelaide Fringe for partnering with ACOM to bring the event to life.
We also thank our panelists, artists, collaborators and the team at Ancient World for helping create a space for conversation, music and connection.
ACOM will continue to share opportunities and events that connect South Australian artists with international music communities.
Follow Adelaide City of Music for news about upcoming international collaborations and opportunities.