Music Commission News

The New Zealand Music Commission | Te Reo Reka o Aotearoa is thrilled to announce the results for the Round 2 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 18 International Music Market Development Grant recipients this round:

1. MĀ for an Australian tour and facilitating a workshop.

2. Albi & The Wolves for their European and UK debut in June 2026 through a new partnerrship with Fresh Music Booking (Poland).

3. VANA for a multi-date United States and Canadian headline tour.

4. Cassie Henderson for UK songwriting and meetings with business partners.

5. BENEE for a 23 date US Tour.

6. Georgia Lines for an 8 show tour of Australia supporting Tony Hadley.

7. Mild Orange for their Asian tour to promote new album, The//Glow.

8. Luca George for The Great Escape 2026 and UK support shows.

9. WHO SHOT SCOTT for a 3 date UK tour and performance at showcase festivals The Great Escape (UK) and NXNE (Canada).

10. Daily J for a 12 date tour of Europe, UK and Canada in support of EP release.

11. Frankie Venter for a 3-show Australian headline tour in support of her debut EP, A Big Deal To Me.

12. Jazmine Mary for performing at Rising Festival Australia and additional headline shows.

13. Xile for a 3 city tour of Australia.

14. Womb for a 5 date Australian tour supporting The Beths.

15. LEAO for performances in and around The Great Escape Festival.

16. Phoebe Rings for a 7 date Asia tour including showcases at CUEW (Tokyo) and All Of The Noise (Manila).

17. Yumi Zouma 24 date headline North American tour across key markets to support their latest album release and further develop their North American audience.

18. Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper for LA business meetings in conjunction with accepting ASCAP Award.

Round 3 of Outward Sound 2026 is currently open for applications. Applications close 11 May 2026 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: VANA | Photo credit: @sadswim