Music Commission News

The New Zealand Music Commission | Te Reo Reka o Aotearoa is pleased to announce the results for the Round 4 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 24 International Music Market Development Grant recipients this round:

1. Banks Arcade for UK, EU and USA tours

2. Beastwars for a 5 date tour of Australia in support of new Beastwars album, The Ship // The Sea

3. Dateline for UK/EU support tour for The Beths in September/October

4. DC Maxwell for tour of Australia in October, including showcasing at SXSW Sydney

5. Drax Project for 4 date tour of Australia supporting George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic

6. Dyce (Ryan Le Roy-Dyson) for an USA O1-B Visa Application

7. Elliot and Vincent for UK and US business meetings

8. Foley for a tour of South Korea and Japan (alongside Paige) in October, including performances at Zandari Festa Seoul, writing new material with local artists, and in-market promotion

9. Frank On Tap for supporting NO CIGAR on their upcoming Australia tour for 8 dates

10. Hans Pucket for a debut headline tour of UK and Europe

11. Josh Naley p.k.a Wells* for an USA O1-B Visa Application

12. Keepsakes for 18 date tour of Europe supporting EP releases on Turbo Recordings (CA) and HAVEN (NZ)

13. Mild Orange for 24 date headline tour of UK and Europe in support of the band’s fourth album The//Glow

14. Paige for a tour of Asia promoting her upcoming EP alongside songwriting workshops

15. Phoebe Rings for a debut North America tour, supporting The Beths for 30 shows and performing headline shows in 7 key cities

16. Rita Mae for an USA O1-B Visa Application

17. Sandy Mill for performing at the 30th Anniversary Concert for Flower Records in Tokyo with DJ/Producer Dominic Dawson, promoting forthcoming single on Flower Records

18. Serebii for a 5 date Australian tour in support of their sophomore album release with Innovative Leisure 2025, including showcasing at SXSW Sydney

19. Shepherds Reign for performing at the ShipRocked Festival 2026 and developing USA fan base

20. SXMPRA for 15 date EU/UK tour with Ramirez alongside brief project writing trip in LA

21. Teo Glacier for a US tour

22. Tusekah for Showcasing in and around SXSW Sydney including an additional Melbourne show

23. Ulcerate for 21 date tour of North America in support of their seventh full length studio album, Cutting the Throat of God

24. Womb for SXSW Sydney and Melbourne industry showcases

The final 2025 round of Outward Sound is currently open for applications. Applications close 13th October 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: Paige | Photo credit: Luke Penney