Australia is a country rich in diversity, culturally and geographically, a richness embodied in our music which embraces all genres and styles, is both steeped in tradition, and at the forefront of innovation and experimentation.
TRADITIONAL
Music and song are inseparable in Indigenous cultures and part of unbroken traditions dating back thousands of years. Music is found in ceremony and important community activity in all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Cultures. Aboriginal songmen are revered custodians of the songs which represent rich and distinct oral traditions in each community. Sacred and secular songs are also integral to Torres Strait island life and can include western style harmonies derived from contact with other cultures.
CONTEMPORARY
In the twentieth and 21st centuries Indigenous musicians have played a vital role in defining Australia’s contemporary music identity, in building bridges with the broader Australian community, and in actively contributing to our cultural expression internationally. Contemporary indigenous music embraces all genres from folk and roots to blues, rock, pop, hip hop and classical forms.
Key events on the Indigenous music calendar include:
- Boomerang Festival
- Clancestry
- Garma Festival
- Homeground
- National Indigenous Music Awards
Folk, Bush and Country Music
Folk music, often handed down in oral form, has existed in Australia since our colonial days, and many local communities have folk clubs and folk festivals. There are over 50 folk festivals in Australia. Over the years Australian folk traditions have been enriched by multiple migrant cultures, including Celtic, Gaelic, Greek, Macedonian, Klezmer, Pacific Island, African, and Asian cultures. Bush and country are variants of country music, drawing on rural themes and traditions, telling stories through music of life, love and longing.
Key events on the national calendar:
- National Folk Festival
- Port Fairy Folk Festival
- Woodford Folk Festival
Contemporary Popular Music
Rock and popular music have an almost limitless number of genres and sub categories. Some of the better known types are: alternative, country, electronic, folk, funk, grunge, indie, hip hop, pop, progressive rock, punk, R&B, rock, ska, and soul. Each can have many sub categories (heavy metal music alone has over a dozen variants), and hybrid forms abound. These multiple genres and types provide a niche for every taste and type of music lover.
Australia produces great music in all of these categories, and we are particularly known for our indie (independent) and alternative scenes, historically a function of being a small country distant from major markets. Australia continues to have an active live music scene despite impacts such as gentrification on many venues, regular tours of national and international acts, and multiple music festivals. There is a large range of professional associations, rights collection bodies and development agencies in this sector. You can access information on these organisations in our music industry section.