Music Commission News

The New Zealand Music Commission | Te Reo Reka o Aotearoa is pleased to announce the results for the Round 5 of Outward Sound 2025.

Outward Sound provides assistance for market development initiatives, encouraging and supporting the entry of New Zealand music and musicians into global markets. New Zealand music industry practitioners (artists, managers etc.) and firms (record companies and associated businesses) can apply for assistance through the programme for a range of international market development activities including:

– Market visits
– In-market representation
– Publicity and promotion
– Marketing materials
– Showcases, trade fairs and other events

The Outward Sound programme is implemented and managed by the New Zealand Music Commission. It is inclusive of music from all genres, styles and niches and applicants may target the international markets that are appropriate to them. Bands, composers, songwriters, producers, and solo artists – at different stages of international market development – are able to access the programme. The foundations of the programme are research, collaboration, network development and information sharing.

For further information, please visit the International section of our website here.

Congratulations to the 15 International Music Market Development Grant recipients this round:

1. Stan Walker for a US and Canadian Tour.

2. Janine for a US headline tour in support of her latest album, Pain and Paradise.

3. Lontalius for an extended US headline tour in support of their upcoming album.

4. 9lives for multiple Australian tours.

5. Phoebe Rings for their debut North America tour, supporting The Beths and performing additional headline shows.

6. 花溪 Flowerstream for market development in Australia, including SXSW Sydney, Parramatta Lanes, headline shows and artist/management networking.

7. Kylie Price for showcasing at Your Roots Are Showing Festival in Belfast, Ireland.

8. Alien Weaponry for an extensive European tour supporting Avatar, promoting their third album.

9. Connan Mockasin for a tour of Australia and Asia, in support of their upcoming album.

10. Borderline for a 2026 USA and Canada tour in April 2026 in support of their new album through label Empire.

11. Mild Orange for a headline tour of UK and Europe in support of the band’s fourth album, The//Glow.

12. Mokomokai for an Australian tour.

13. Soft Bait for an Australian in support of their latest album, Life Advice.

14. Aaradhna for a US tour, supporting her album release, Sweet Surrender.

15. Te Wehi for a headline Australian tour.

The first 2026 round of Outward Sound is currently open for applications. Applications close 15th December 2025 at 5:00PM (NZST).

For further Outward Sound funding timelines, please visit our website here.

More information on the scheme can be obtained by emailing international@nzmusic.org.nz

Media enquiries should also be directed to international@nzmusic.org.nz Artist photos are available upon request.

Pictured: Lontalius | Photo credit: Connor Ward