Pearlies performing as part of Be Hear Now 23. Image by Alex Grose.
WE’RE LOOKING FOR BALLARAT’S BEST NEW MUSIC.
The City of Ballarat’s contemporary music program, Be Hear Now, has been developing and supporting musicians by providing a framework to celebrate the skills and talents of our community and helping give them the tools to refine their craft and build their careers.
Ballarat’s top five singles to be pressed in 2025.
Now in its fifth year Be Hear Now is once again focusing on ‘the ones to watch’ in the Ballarat music scene and examines what kinds of support they need to thrive.
The program of support has focused on identifying talent, providing mentoring and training, assets and resources, and most importantly building a team around the creative practice of the artist to help amplify new voices.
Five local artists/bands will be selected to undertake a program in which they will receive a tailored mentorship to prepare them to record, mix, master and release an original single.
The selected cohort will undergo training and receive support to assist in the commercial release of their single, supported by a team of industry professionals and service providers. Underpinning the program will be an emphasis on building a team to support the creative practice and commercial viability of the artist/band through supporting the release cycle of a single.
Each participant receives:
5 dedicated sessions with an industry-matched mentor
Strategic planning for single release
Professional recording, mixing and mastering sessions
Graphic design for single artwork and poster collateral
Release strategy development
Marketing and promotion funding
Distribution support – how to get your music on popular platforms
Professional development in areas including: Music Business, Artist Brand Development, Marketing and Social Media, Live Performance, Recording and Production, Grant Writing and Arts Funding, Tour Planning, Digital Distribution and Playlist Pitching.
Be Hear Now is a tailored professional development initiative designed to nurture and elevate Ballarat's diverse music community. This program empowers local artists to build sustainable careers while strengthening the city's cultural fabric.
