Mount Gambier secures national music summit
MusicSA’s 2026 Regional & Remote Music Summit will be held in Mount Gambier, boosting the town’s music profile and strengthening touring routes.
Mount Gambier will host the third annual Regional & Remote Music Summit in 2026, bringing together artists, industry professionals, policymakers and community leaders for workshops, keynotes, and live music events designed to amplify regional music voices nationally.
The announcement comes after 2025’s summit wrapped up in Byron Bay last week. Next year’s Summit will be managed by MusicSA.
South Australia’s Rob Edwards was one of the many interstate acts that performed at the Byron Bay summit.
The self-taught musician says one of the best parts of the summit “is creating a community of like-minded people”.
“Increasing your education and knowledge of the pros and cons of running regional and remote tours and shows … we can further our investment in our own backyards,” Rob says.
You might like
Rob says Mount Gambier is a “great spot” to put on the touring circuit, and opportunities like the Summit shows industry leaders it’s worth investing in infrastructure in the South East.
“The effort that we put into Mount Gambier in the long-term can benefit the Fleurieu, can benefit Yorke Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula, far north,” he says.
Rob says shows need to be worth it, “you can’t just come all the way to Adelaide just for one show”.
“Then you’re running at a loss so having more places to tour along the way really is how artist succeed,” he says.
Subscribe for updates
Mount Gambier Mayor, Lynette Martin OAM says the town “is perfectly positioned to contribute to the strengthening of touring routes between South Australia and Victoria.”
She says Mount Gambier is delighted to be named as the host of the 2026 Region & Remote Music Summit, highlighting the role the location has played in Australian Music.
“Mount Gambier is home to Generations in Jazz which has, for many years, challenged the metro-centric nature of arts access and performance opportunities, bringing together thousands of young musicians from across Australia to perform in a regional setting each year,” she says.
MusicSA CEO Christine Schloithe says the organisation has invested in building Mount Gambier as a regional touring hub, connecting artists with venues, and building up sustainable live music infrastructure in the region.
“Hosting the Summit here is a natural next step and we can’t wait to share the region’s creative and music spirit with the rest of the country,” she says.
The Summit will be supported by the South Australian Government, through the Music Development Office, and the Federal Government, through Music Australia.
“We want South Australia to be home to a thriving music culture including in our regions and Mount Gambier is the perfect place to host the Regional and Remote Music Conference,” says SA Arts Minister Andrea Michaels MP.
Program details will be announced in 2026.
