Show Group & the Australian Music Industry Celebrate Ausmusic T-Shirt Day

Each November, Australians unite to celebrate Ausmusic T-Shirt Day, an annual event raising funds and awareness for workers in the Australian music industry. This Thursday, 28 November, people are encouraged to wear t-shirts featuring their favourite Aussie artists or bands to showcase their love for Australian music, with funds from donations and official t-shirt sales going towards Support Act, the music industry’s charity. For Show Group, an entertainment travel management company with deep roots in the touring industry, this day is especially meaningful. It’s an opportunity to honour the bands, artists, and crews we’ve had the privilege of working with and give back to the industry that fuels our passion. To mark the occasion, we spoke with our touring team to hear what Ausmusic T-Shirt Day means to them and reflect on their love for the industry.

If you would like to support this important cause, you can make a donation here.

1) What does Ausmusic T-Shirt Day mean to you?

Ausmusic T-Shirt Day reminds me of the rich, diverse and treasured history of Australian music, and all the talented artists and support services that make music come alive. Investing in initiatives such as Ausmusic T-Shirt Day is a way that businesses like Show Group, who have been supporting Australian live music for almost 40 years, can give back at a community level and play our part in supporting the future of homegrown talent. – Adam Tulich, General Manager

Ausmusic T-Shirt Day is a cause that’s incredibly close to my heart. It’s a time to celebrate the gift of Australian music and, more importantly, to raise crucial funds for music industry workers in crisis through Support Act. During COVID-19, we saw the Australian music scene decimated overnight; an industry that was always first to help fundraise and raise awareness for significant events impacting Australians. I hope they never have to face that again, which is why supporting this cause means so much to me. – Bec La Haye, Head of Touring & Live Performance

Left to right: Kylie Trevethan (Team Leader Tour & Live Performance) wearing C.O.F.F.I.N; Sarah-Jane Hodge (Travel Specialist) wearing Vance Joy; Rebecca Loukas (Entertainment Travel Specialist) wearing Midnight Oil; and Darren Swinton (Touring Travel Consultant) wearing Lagerstein.

2) Tell us about your favourite Australian artist or band and why they inspire you.

I love my heavy stuff, so to see Parkway Drive go from its humble beginnings in Byron Bay to selling out arenas this year was mind-blowing! It was truly inspiring to see a band that has worked so hard over their 20-year career receive the recognition they deserve. Not only were their shows huge, but on a world level, they are pushing the limits of quality concert production. Their show at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre was quite possibly the best show I’ve ever seen! – Darren Swinton, Touring Travel Consultant

That’s a hard one, I don’t really have an outright favourite but enjoy a lot of Australian music. I’ve seen Jimmy Barnes, The Teskey Brothers and Lufthaus live who were all amazing. I loved INXS back in the days when I was living in Scotland during the 80’s/90’s. Their “Kick” album remains one of my favourites to this day, Michael Hutchence was fantastic! My first music client at Show Group was Tones and I, just when she broke through with Dance Monkey in 2019. It was great to be a part of her early journey as she performed all over the world. – Kirsty Gilmour, Senior Travel Consultant

Some homegrown bands that influenced me significantly growing up were Iva Davies and Icehouse, Jon Stevens and Noiseworks, Pseudo Echo, INXS and Midnight Oil. I’m giving away that my teenage years were the 80’s but these bands captured what it meant to come of age as Australia began making its mark on the international stage. While each has its unique style, they all share a common origin in the live music circuit, and their music still endures today. My first live concert was on the 10^th of August 1984 at the then Sydney Entertainment Centre in Chinatown, watching Electric Pandas, Sharon O’Neil and Dragon in a three-act. – Adam Tulich, General Manager

Left: Darren Swinton (Touring Travel Consultant) pictured with Clint Boge from The Butterfly Effect.

Right: Adam Tulich (Show Group General Manager) holding INXS’ Kick vinyl album.

3) How has your love for music shaped your career in the touring industry?

My love for music is entrenched in my touring travel career. As an avid live music fan, I regularly see bands and artists perform at some of my favourite venues across Sydney, and even travel interstate to see some of them a second time! It’s unbelievably rewarding to see artists on stage when you’ve booked their travel requirements; knowing you played a small part in them being there and making so many people happy. – Kylie Trevethan, Team Leader Tour & Live Performance

Music has always been a core part of my life, it’s challenging, exciting, and fun. There’s no better feeling than attending a concert and knowing you played a big role in making it happen. It fills me with pride and reinforces my passion for what I do in the touring industry. – Rose Urzi, Senior Entertainment Travel Specialist

Left: Bec La Haye (Head of Touring & Live Performance) and Juliana Kuhn (Entertainment Services Administrator) at the Red Hot Summer Tour.

Right: Emma Bradbury (Travel Specialist) pictured with the Pierce Brothers.

4) What’s one memorable tour you’ve been involved with, and how did it stand out?

I was fortunate enough to work on every RnB Fridays Live Festival since its inception in 2016 through my client, Illusive Presents, part of Mushroom Group. Watching the festival grow from a few thousand attendees to tens of thousands over the years was an incredible journey and something I’ll always be proud to have been part of. Arranging the travel logistics for everyone, from the crew to the artists and their tour parties was a massive responsibility but also deeply rewarding. RnB Fridays Live became one of Australia’s iconic festivals, and its cancellation is a reminder of how important it is to get behind each and every Australian festival or show. – Bec La Haye, Head of Head of Touring & Live Performance

As someone new to the touring side of the travel industry, the first Aussie music tour that I have managed is currently on the road. Jon Stevens & Kate Ceberano are travelling around the country for their “Superstars Live” tour and supporting their tour has been an amazing experience. I remember when I was a young child, listening to Kate Ceberano’s “Pash” album to now supporting her tour 26 years later, what a full circle moment! – Rebecca Loukas, Entertainment Travel Specialist

Left: RnB Fridayz Live in Sydney. Photo courtesy of Concrete Playground.

Right: Superstars Live with Jon Stevens and Kate Ceberano. Photo courtesy of Superstars Live.

At Show Group, our team shares a deep love for Australian music, a passion that shapes everything we do in the touring industry. Ausmusic T-Shirt Day is more than just an event for us, it’s an opportunity to celebrate and support the industry that inspires us daily. Join us in supporting Ausmusic T-Shirt Day and contributing to the vital work of Support Act.