Territory bands need to step up

DARWIN musicians have greater chance to support major touring acts than other states but many aren’t taking advantage of the ample opportunities.

Nook Events promoter James Gough said it was often the same bands getting support gigs.

“More acts are coming to town but the number of support acts is the same so there’s a better chance to get on a show with a touring act,” he said.

Mr Gough, who also worked for the Darwin Entertainment Centre, said Territory bands need to step up and approach promoters to seize the opportunities available to them.

“We have very little, if any, bands approach DEC or Nook to support artists,” he said.

“Promoters around town want to hear from local support acts that are ready to play a support gig.

“Get a bio, get a pic and recording and send an email and don’t be scared of making an approach.

“There’s a lot less work that a local band needs to do to network in Darwin than any other capital city in Australia.”

Alice Springs’ duo Apakatjah are supporting Midnight Oil in Alice Springs and have already supported acts including Gotye, Russel Morris and Neil Murray.

Singer Dion Forrester said the benefits of supporting touring acts extended beyond a big name on their resume.

“You’re not supporting them on the night,” he said.

“You have good yarns about music and get encouragement from these guys and they have so much knowledge so you’re learning a lot there as well.”

Forrester said it also got the duo’s name out there on a national scale.

“It definitely does give you a bit of a profile to support these big acts as well and at the same time it gives you encouragement to keep pushing and get to the next level in your career,” he said.