This year’s Airlie Beach Festival of Music is still months away, taking place in November, but that doesn’t mean the event won’t offer any initiatives in the meantime.
The festival’s annual Passport to Airlie National Talent Search returns this year, and entries are now open. The winning act will take to the stage at this year’s festival, which runs between Friday, 6 and Sunday, 8 November.
Passport to Airlie gives emerging artists and bands the unique opportunity to not only perform on a festival stage, but also to appear at one of Australia’s most picturesque locations: the Whitsundays.
Festival Founder, Gavin Butlin, said that since Passport to Airlie—and the Airlie Beach Festival of Music—made its debut in 2013, it’s evolved into a tradition as well as a special launching pad for Australian musicians.
“Passport to Airlie is about fostering new talent, championing Australian music, and giving emerging artists a career-boosting, genuine pathway to a national stage, where they can reach new audiences, gain industry exposure, and perform alongside some of the country’s most respected musicians,” Butlin explained.
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He continued, “From buskers to the most influential names in modern music, every headliner started somewhere, usually by hustling, grinding and proving that live, original music deserves a crowd.
“We’re here to accelerate that journey, giving bands and individual artists the chance to ignite their hometowns before battling it out right here at the festival for the ultimate win–their very own performance slot on next year’s lineup alongside some of Australia’s best-known acts.”
The competition begins with regional heats held from June to September in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle, Byron Bay, Bells Beach, the Gold Coast, Townsville, Mackay, and the Sunshine Coast.
Regional heat winners must be able to travel to Airlie Beach during the festival’s three days, where they’ll receive four nights of accommodation, VIP tickets to this year’s event, and face off against the other regional heat winners for the chance to win the Passport to Airlie competition.
Passport to Airlie applications are now open. They’re open to original acts across the country, with the sole criterion that tribute bands and cover songs are not allowed. You can apply here.
The overall winner takes home a professional photography package, a main-stage performance at the Airlie Beach Festival of Music in 2027, and prize money based on act size: solo artists receive $500, duos receive $1,000, trios receive $1,500, and bands receive $2,000.
The 2023 winners, Avalanche, recently concluded a run of shows opening for Airbourne in Europe. Last year’s winners, Monroe, appear on this year’s festival alongside The Whitlams, Mental As Anything, Xavier Rudd, and more.
The Passport to Airlie contestants are judged by a panel of music industry professionals, with previous judges including The Superjesus’ Sarah McLeod and The Screaming Jets’ Dave Gleeson.
