Callout to Victorian musicians to apply for new Music VR Backers Fund – created to connect artists with fans in ways that go beyond all boundaries
Live 3D virtual reality (VR) streaming platform, Inverse, supported by Music Victoria and the Victorian Music Development Office, is calling out to Victorian musicians’ and performing artists to apply for a first-of-its-kind Music VR Backers Fund, created to aid export of Victoria’s music talent to the world through immersive technology.
Applications for the Music VR Backers Fund open on 3rd March via the Inverse website and close on the 28th March. The Music VR Backers Fund is the first industry grant to offer Victorian musicians the opportunity to connect with fans worldwide through live 3D VR technology, empowering them to diversify their income and to transcend not only the physical limitations of COVID-19 restrictions but enable fans to experience live music like they never have before.
Each eligible entrant will be judged by an independent panel of leading Victorian music figureheads from Music Victoria’s Artist Advisory and COVID Recovery Advisory Groups, including:
Ben Wiesner (Box Hill Institute)
Dave Newington (Granite Consulting)
Elise Peyronnet (Melbourne Music Week)
Eyal Chipkiewicz (The Boite)
Kylie Auldist (Artist)
Peta Petidis (Musician)
Tim Curnick (Artist/Producer)
The Music VR Backers Fund is open to all Victorian musicians and performing artists from all genres, with a total of twenty grants available. Each successful applicant will receive a $2,500 cash grant to live stream in virtual reality a bespoke performance from Australia’s first made-for-VR venue in Melbourne’s inner city, Project Redstone, as well as other iconic live performance venues in Melbourne.
Each performance will be live streamed through Inverse’s Virtual Reality platform around the world during an inaugural Beyond Boundaries VR Festival, to commence April 2021.
According to Darren Vukasinovic, Founder of Inverse, each successful applicant will receive one-to-one coaching and support on VR stagecraft, to ensure the Beyond Boundaries VR Festival is an experience like no other.
“The Beyond Boundaries VR Festival will be the crescendo of the Music VR Backers Grant, where fans from all over the globe will be invited to virtually attend ‘in person’ and encounter all the facets of a live music festival – audio, visual, ambience and energy of the space – in ways that transcend the live music experience.
“Through the Music VR Backers Fund and the Beyond Boundaries VR Festival, each artist will connect with domestic and overseas fans unable to attend gigs in person, as well as reach new audiences in unique and groundbreaking ways through the fast-growing global VR headset market, who are hungry to explore exciting new immersive experiences,” concluded Vukasinovic.
Music Victoria and the Victorian Music Development Office are proudly supporting the inaugural Music VR Backers Fund as they look to grow and evolve the Victorian contemporary music industry.
“Innovative and driven by new technology, this initiative demonstrates what is possible for the future of live music, starting right here in Victoria. The Beyond Boundaries VR Festival will put the artists in focus and support their creative vision, thanks to the teams at Inverse and Moon Mother Productions,” said VMDO General Manager, Katie Stewart.
About Music Victoria
Music Victoria is an independent, not-for-profit organisation and the state peak body for contemporary music. It represents musicians, venues, music businesses and professionals, and music lovers across the contemporary Victorian music community. Music Victoria provides advocacy on behalf of the music sector, actively supports the development of the Victorian music community, and celebrates and promotes Victorian music.
About Victoria Music Development Office (VMDO)
The Victorian Music Development Office (VMDO) is a Victorian Government initiative, delivered by Music Victoria – it has a commitment to boosting the growth and evolution of the Victorian contemporary music industry, supporting the creation of sustainable opportunities and ensuring Victoria maintains its reputation for great music.
About Inverse
Inverse is Australia’s-first ever ‘live’ 3D virtual reality (VR) platform, created to connect fans, families, friends and communities with the enriching experience of ‘live’ performance art and music, remotely. Inverse aims to enable access to experience live events like never before. Through its fully immersive 3D VR technology, Inverse enables musicians, performing artists, venues and event organisers to open-up a whole new experience economy for the ever-evolving digital age, whilst staying connected with those audiences who may be unable to physically attend ‘live’. Born amid the adversity of COVID-19, Inverse is independently owned and was founded by Darren Vukasinovic, CEO of Melbourne-based extended reality (XR) technology start-up, Ignition Immersive.
About Project Redstone
Located at Inverse’s HQ in Melbourne, Project Redstone is Australia’s first made for VR live music venue.
About Moon Mother
In continual operation since 1991 Moon Mother Productions offer a complete range of event production services. From humble beginnings in stage and audio production, our production staff have over 30 years of experience in delivering event excellence. Moon Mother offers production services for events throughout Australia from local community gatherings to major world class events. We pride ourselves in delivering beautiful audio and visual experiences backed by top-of-the-range technology and expert management.
Music VR Backers Fund
Applications open: Wednesday 3 March
Applications close: Sunday 28 March
For further information and to apply head to inverse.live
