Get ready, FNQ! Take your LIVE MUSIC career to the next level at the Cairns Music Industry Gathering 2026.
The Cairns Music Industry Gathering (CMIG) 2026 is a FREE three-day industry event designed to support, showcase and develop the regional music sector. The event will feature a mix of live performance, industry discussion and professional development opportunities.
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If you’re serious about music, we encourage you to attend as much of the program as you can.
Start gathering – this is your first opportunity to network with other likeminded souls!
Your night begins at Tank 4 for the Life Sounds Like… exhibition launch, a project by Regular Rick. Rick has wrangled 30+ artists together, to present an exhibition focussing on stories and memories connected to Aussie music – all based on the film of the same name in 2023. Enjoy live local music, art and connect with other music lovers.
Afterwards, join us in Tank 5 for Kingfisha. Gathering-goers can register free ticket via the registration form (registrations for Kingfisha close at 10am, Friday 8 November).
Gather your pens and paper and prepare yourself for a day of panels, presentations and discussion! Today you’ll be hearing from a bunch of key industry folks about what’s on the radar for live music in both Cairns and beyond with our Live and Local: Industry Forum. Don’t skip breakfast! You’ll need the brain food to take in all that delicious information and contribute to the discussion.
Pause for lunch (light lunch provided) and live music, then regroup for roundtables in the afternoon to flesh out all the ideas raise in the morning session. This is your opportunity to shape the future of live music in our region.
What’s a hard day’s thinking without a well-deserved wind down. It’s time to take all that fresh new info and debrief with your new connections at Elixir Music House. Did we mention there’s live music?! Free entry for Gathering-goers, or a door charge applies for others.
Yesterday you soaked it all in, today you’re really assessing how it applies to you. The morning will be spent on professional development opportunities with workshops and more round table discussions.
We’ve got you covered with a delicious light lunch accompanied by the sweet tunes of some of our freshest new talent in FNQ.
Apply all that new knowledge at Flame.Arts’ (relocated to Tank 5) open mic event, Launch Pad, which concludes the programming for the weekend with even more live music – the bar will be open!
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The Live Music Office works to increase opportunities for live music in Australia by identifying and advocating for better policy, regulation and strategy.
Established by the Federal Government, in partnership with APRA AMCOS, the Live Music Office was set up to review the impact of policy frameworks on the Australian live music sector. Their scope includes planning, licensing and regulatory policies, as well as cultural, audience and market development strategies.
Flame.Arts is Cairns Regional Council’s program for young and emerging creatives in the arts, artists with a disability and First Nations artists.
The program offers projects and opportunities for capacity-building and professional development through workshops, skills development activities, grants, mentoring, performance, and exhibition platforms.
Live and Local is presented by Cairns Regional Council in partnership with the Live Music Office, OneMusic Australia and APRA AMCOS. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its funding and advisory body.