Music for the Populace

Submission Document

Prepared on May 5, 2009

Contributors:
Sarah Gillam Sanjay Ramzan
Jennifer Straub Rachel Thomas
Katie Weaver Gregory Yandt
 Music for the Populace: Submission Document

Introduction

Newcastle’s local music scene showcases a vibrant and diverse array of performers and
artisans of their craft, many of whom are mainstays at bars, clubs, restaurants and other2009
favourite venues across the city, drawing in large crowds and illustrating the unique blend
of cosmopolitan and coastal lifestyles characteristic of Newcastle. Indeed, Popular Music
in Newcastle is something which both defies traditional borders and conventions and
illuminates how music can bring together people of differing ages, backgrounds and tastes
in celebration. Music for the Populace is an organisation dedicated to this very unique and
developing scene and it is with this in mind and our vision for holding an event which
reflects this character, that we now invite you to consider our proposal. The long term and
short term benefits of this project are of immense value to both the civic and private
domains of Newcastle’s communities and we hope to stimulate economic investment and
infrastructure in the city itself through the format and function of the event; both of which
we believe are unique to our group’s proposal.

Popular Music

Although traditionally in Western societies, Classical Music as an extension of High

Culture in dominant discourses has been privileged above Popular Music, it is because as
Horn (2008) posits that popular music is “Thought about in social, economic and
ethnographic terms - not just musical ones” that we believe Popular Music is truly
representative of wider society and the most readily available tool for connecting with our
audiences in a powerful way, whereby we hope to resonate with their lives and
experiences.

For many Australians, popular music is thought of as relating to “Anglo-American”

depictions and performances of the genre, however, as Horn (2008) notes that this is only
one conception of popular music itself, we parallel this by presenting the unique cultural
and ethnic character of Newcastle itself and invite all who are interested or enthused to
participate. Should they choose to oblige our invitation, we hope to showcase the various
and differentiated popular music tastes of Newcastle’s traditional, as well as more
contemporary Musical cultures. More than an international music festival, this is
Newcastle’s music festival, for Newcastle’s many communities as a reflection and
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celebration of those who live here and the connections shared through the richness and
diversity of Newcastle’s wider civic society.

Newcastle has often been praised for its “classless society”, something which it appears to
share in common with Popular Music, a phenomenon which transcends ideas of class,
social status, culture, convention and traditionally imposed divisions such as High vs. Low
culture. It is because as Frith (2004) states that “Musical lives are rooted more often in
work than social class ties, but they are, nonetheless constitutive of people’s sense of who
they are and who they could be” that we believe our vision for Newcastle’s first truly
inclusive music festival has the ability to bring together people of all walks of life, because
Popular Music is all inclusive, does not discriminate and has widespread mass appeal.

Tricia Rose further elaborates upon these points by stating in Frith (2004) that “popular
music, as the cultural form most accessible to the people, most immediate in its
articulation of their views, must be a starting point for any understanding of how the world
is changing and how those changes feel". It is because of this that we believe our
utilisation of the popular music genre will allow us to draw out Newcastle’s truly vibrant
musical character, encouraging people to interact, empathise and connect with their city’s
fellow music lovers and the city itself.

As mainstays of Newcastle’s musical community, three commercial radio stations currently

dominate the local airwaves-106.9 NXFM, 105.3 NEWFM and 102.9 KOFM,-specialising
in Top 40, Rock and Classics respectively and encapsulating a significant spread of
demographics engaging in Newcastle’s Popular Music.
 Music for the Populace: Submission Document

Newcastle and Popular Music

Social and Cultural Values of Newcastle

2009
Music in Newcastle, occupies a position in kind with the privilege enjoyed by “high culture”,
whereby it is held in the highest of esteems by those supporting it, something which Music
for the Populace believes is demonstrated up to this very day in the city itself. For
example, Kings of Leon, currently one of the biggest bands in the international Popular
Music scene have played in shows all around the world ranging from their hometown of
Nashville, Tennessee to Newcastle, NSW. This shows just one example of what is by and
large a phenomenon unique to Newcastle; a non-capital city which enjoys the same sort of
international recognition in the Pop Music community as major cities like Sydney, Brisbane
and Melbourne. Put shortly, big bands on the international circuit detour to play shows
here because of the high regard in which music is held in Newcastle.

Music in Newcastle can most definitely be seen as “high culture.” In order for
something to be considered “high culture,” it is usually held in the highest esteem of its
supporters. Music for the Populace would like to draw on the example of one of the
biggest bands in the world to articulate this. Kings of Leon have played in shows all over
the world, from their hometown of Nashville, Tennessee to Newcastle, NSW. This shows
that Newcastle is a significant town; when a band as universally famous as Kings Of Leon
makes sure to make it a stop on their International tour.

Newcastle is a very diverse city, located on the east coast of New South Wales,
approximately two hours north of Sydney. Newcastle is a part of the Lower Hunter Region,
surrounded by rural farming areas and wine country. However, Newcastle itself is one of
the biggest shipping ports in the southern hemisphere predominantly exporting coal, as
well as the largest Central Business District (CBD), outside of a capital city. Therefore
there are a diverse range of social and cultural values that must be considered in
preparation for this proposal.

According to the Newcastle City Council, the three most important elements of
Newcastle to the people of Newcastle are its pristine beaches, historical heritage such as
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Fort Scratchley and Nobby’s Light House and their budding cultural precinct. There have
been several submissions into the city of Newcastle and all of them have identified these
elements to be of significant value to the people of Newcastle. In order to maximise
funding to benefit the Newcastle city in both the long and short term, Music for the
Populace has researched the regional profile of Newcastle with specific relation to the
population and their economics.

As of the last Australian Census in 2006 the population of the Lower Hunter was
493, 466 persons, and increasing. Specific to Newcastle there were 141, 752 persons.
There are 36 058 families with an average of 2.41 occupants in every household. There
has been a decrease in families with children in their household, which could point to two
things. Firstly, that children are growing up and are moving out of their original family unit,
or that couples are choosing to have children later in life than they did before. Music for
the Populace believes that both of these scenarios could be plausible and so must be
conscious of this when designing and creating our event. However 40.1% of the
population is couples with young children, and over 60% of the population are living within
a family household, (ABS, Australian Census Data 2006).

The age demographic of Newcastle is fairly even, with 0 to 14 years being the
highest at 17.0%, followed by 15.8% being 15 to 24 years. However the highest earners
range between 25 to 34 years, while the average total income of Newcastle is $42 508,
with most of its occupants being employed in professional positions. This corresponds with
over 50% having post school qualifications. However what was surprising to our
organisation was that only 57.6% of people have access to the internet. Hence we will
have to tailor our marketing and awareness campaign over a range of mediums.

Therefore consolidating all of this data, we need to tailor an event that will cater for
a variety of ages and incomes. There will need to be events that people can enjoy at all
ages, with a particular influence on family. The events must be respectful of the cultural
values of Newcastle and enhance them as well. Music for the Populace has considered all
of the above information and the objectives of the “Our Wonderful Life Snap Shot”, a
research paper conducted by Newcastle City Council in order to enhance the social and
cultural values of Newcastle while enforcing the popular music.
 Music for the Populace: Submission Document

Proposal

Activities
2009
In considering the social and cultural values of Newcastle and assessing its current
music culture, Music for the Populace has generated these activities that will encourage
popular music while asserting its social and cultural value.

•Party under the Stars: Outdoor Night Club in Civic Square

•Picnic in the Park: Picnic and live music at King Edward Park

•Learning to Play Workshops on Newcastle Beach

•Beach Party: Music Festival at Camp Shortland

•Live Broadcasts of all three commercial radio stations from Fort Scratchley, Nobbys and
Newcastle Tower.
•Music and Food at complying restaurants around Newcastle: Lizottes, Goldbergs, and
Nor-East
•Live n Local: Local Bands playing at different pubs around Newcastle. The Grand, The
Brewery and The Mattara.

In addition to these week long activities, this week long event will play host to the 2009
NSW Art Funding Program. Leading up to this event Music for the Populace will
encourage organizations within the music scene to submit program proposals in the hope
that it will be submitted into the State’s Competition. Three finalists will be chosen, and
throughout the week long music extravaganza, the people of Newcastle will be able to
vote for their favourite. The winner will then be submitted into the Funding Program on
behalf of Music for the Populace with the chance to win funding to get the program up and
running in Newcastle. Essentially, Music for the Populace believes this opportunity to be a
launch pad for the popular music community to represent on a state level.

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Social and Cultural Values to Newcastle

Music for the Populace believes that through the activities outlined and the goals
set out, this proposal will be of social and cultural value to the city of Newcastle in three
broad ways.

One way in which the proposed activities and goals would be of social value in
Newcastle, is that it provides a place or venue and encourages individuals with similar
interests to congregate. By altering styles of music, levels of involvement and venues we
will be providing multiple music based activities for the various ages and stages of life of
the people of Newcastle. It is our belief that by facilitating the introduction of individuals
with similar interests, that these events will foster relationships of varying degrees whether
friendships between individuals or families, or be business related. It is also our plan that
the many activities will get the community talking about the event as a whole and why it is
good or bad and how it can be done in the future. Such talks would foster the continuation
of such an event and increase the likelihood that it be financially self sustaining in the
future.

More specifically the event would foster networking for local as well as non-local
musicians and music enthusiasts. By inviting bands and providing workshops, Music for
the Populace hopes to give the chance to promising and enthusiastic musicians, both
young and old, to connect with people who can help them take the next steps in regards to
their varying music aspirations.

The success of this event could also help elevate the recognition of Newcastle as a
place with high culture of which music plays an important role. Such recognition would
identify Newcastle as an important venue for touring bands which in turn makes Newcastle
a more attractive city for investment and tourism. The progression of events above could
lead to the formation of a cycle which could help develop both social and cultural aspects
in Newcastle. Although it is unlikely that this progression would occur with the success of a
single event, the success of multiple or annual events could prove to build recognition and
in fact start such progression.
 Music for the Populace: Submission Document

Benefits 2009

Short Term

There are a number of short and long term benefits which can be realized from
carrying out the outlined proposal. In the short run, benefits will start with the event
drawing attention to Newcastle’s valued cultural locations via the numerous activities being
held there. By initiating the outlined events, Newcastle will be inviting locals and tourists
alike to come out and interact with the city’s elements whether it is public transport, parks
or local pubs and restaurants. This increase in activity may stimulate employment and
promote economic growth as it becomes an increasingly more attractive place for
investors, residents and visitors alike.

The event will also be a way for locals to celebrate Newcastle and initiate support
channels that will foster local talent. Also by allowing all citizens of Newcastle to be
involved the event can be a catalyst to increase the understanding of the value of
volunteering and active citizenship. From this there is also the potential for an increase in
the understanding of the value of community. These aspects foster the continuous
development of a community where families thrive, a major part of Newcastle’s population.

While the above benefits may be considered the most important ones, other
benefits include getting people interested in local music and music in general and
introducing new locations for future events.

Long Term

In the long run the goal is to build on the short run benefits such as getting people
to interact with the city, increasing understanding of volunteering and active citizenship,
increasing understanding of the value of community, building better support channels for
local talent and continuing to celebrate our city.

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 Another goal is to establish a music program facility for the city of Newcastle, as
voted by them, through the 2009 Arts Funding Program of the NSW State Government. It
would also be a goal to establish this as an annual event which will see the development
of tourism opportunities and continue to promote economic and employment growth
through being recognized as an increasingly attractive location for investors, residents and
visitors.

References
Written:
Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008, National Regional Profile: Newcastle Local
Government Area, cat. No. 15900, ABS, Canberra. Retrieved May 3, 2009 from AusStats
database.

Frith, S 2004, ‘Introduction’, Popular Music: Critical Concepts in Media and Cultural
Studies, Routledge, p. 1

Horn, D 2008, ‘The origins and development of the Institute of Popular Music: An
interview’, preview, Popular Music History, Apr, vol. 3, no. 1, pp 9-38

Middleton, R (1990/2002). ‘Studying Popular Music.’ Philadelphia: Open University Press.

ISBN 0-335-15275-9.

Newcastle City Council Cultural Framework, 2005, Our Wonderful Life Snap Shot, The
City of Newcastle Publishing Service, Newcastle.

Online:
http://www.music.princeton.edu/~jeffery/Ellingtonvocab.html

http://wots-on.info/whats-
on/?event=Kings_Of_Leon_at_Newcastle_Entertainment_Centre--Newcastle--NSW--
Australia--000A0bU--Live_Music--2009-03-22

http://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/