Music Commission News

The New Zealand Music Commission | Te Reo Reka o Aotearoa is thrilled to announce the results for the Round 4 of Outward Sound 2026.

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 27 International Music Market Development Grant recipients this round:

1. Earth Tongue for a 27 date North America tour in support of their third album, Dungeon Vision including performances at King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard’s Field Of Vision and Levitation festivals.

2. Princess Chelsea for her debut Australian tour including a performance at Yours & Owls Festival, followed by a performance at Corona Capital Festival in Mexico City.

3. The Veils for their Europe/UK tour in support of their latest album, Fragile World.

4. Katchafire for a 13 date Europe/UK stadium arena tour supporting UB40.

5. YONDER for O-1 Visas and a 2-week market development trip to LA, Raleigh, and NYC timed around the release of YONDER’s debut EP via Jamla Records/Roc Nation including showcases, recording sessions with 9th Wonder and label roster artists, press, and promotion.

6. TWOFACED for their debut 10 date USA tour including festival and club events alongside key stakeholder meetings.

7. Borderline for a 12 date Europe/UK tour and performance at Poland’s Bittersweet Festival.

8. Troy Kingi for shows in UK and France and associated promotional activities.

9. Dateline for an 8 date UK headline tour.

10. Frank On Tap for a 9 date tour across Ireland and the UK supporting local NZ band, NO CIGAR.

11. Jordyn with a Why for a London market-development campaign taking MOHI, Jordyn with a Why and HOPE to Abbey Road Studios, a Pacific Tavern showcase, UK publicity and targeted industry engagement.

12. Mel Parsons for a Canadian tour.

13. Theia for 3 performances at Queensland’s Woodford Folk Festival.

14. Greatsouth for a market development tour centred around showcasing at BIGSOUND 2026.

15. Louis Baker for an Australia tour in support of his sophomore album, Trouble.

16. Flamingo Pier for a tour of Australia in support of their upcoming sophomore album, Woven Together.

17. IVY for a 5 date Australia tour supporting Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, including 2 headline shows.

18. JessB for a 3 date Japan tour in support of her fourth album release, Matters of the Heart.

19. Bic Runga for her debut Philippines market visit and headline performance.

20. Georgia Lines for the renewal of her 3-year US work visa, enabling her to continue working in Nashville as a professional songwriter and recording artist.

21. Lance Savali for attending and performing at Amsterdam Dance Event.

22. SACHI for a 14 date Europe/UK market development trip, attending Amsterdam Dance Event and further networking opportunities.

23. Pirapus for debut AV performances in Europe/UK and attending Amsterdam Dance Event.

24. Foley for Los Angeles market trip, including songwriting sessions.

25. YEGR for a seven-week writing and recording campaign across Los Angeles, London and Portugal.

26. Joel Jones for a LA business development trip including songwriting/production sessions

27. EDYONTHEBEAT for a 12 day writing, producing and networking trip in Australia.

Round 5 of Outward Sound 2026 is currently open for applications. Applications close 12 October 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: Jordyn With A Why | Photo credit: Mataara Stokes