Valley Sounds Live Music Festival returns in 2026

From Thursday 25 June to Sunday 5 July, local venues will once again be encouraged to showcase local live music as part of a festival designed to amplify and support Moonee Valley’s live music scene. But this year there’s a difference.

We’re putting the power into your hands.

After listening to feedback provided during Valley Sounds in 2025, we have revamped the festival delivery. 

This year venue owners and operators can engage the musicians they want to perform, and musicians can negotiate with the venues they want to play.

Moonee Valley City Council will support the events with financial assistance and each successful event will be included in a marketing campaign and online program.

WHO CAN APPLY

Both venues and artists may apply, however the ABN of the applicant must meet the eligibility criteria (see point 4 in Eligibility Criteria for details).

This includes:

• Businesses who have an artist they already have booked during the festival season 
• Businesses who would like to program an artist but will need help finding someone should contact liveandlocal@mvcc.vic.gov.au prior to submitting an application
• Artists who have a venue relationship and can confirm a performance time slot
• Artists without a venue relationship should contact liveandlocal@mvcc.vic.gov.au to request assistance finding a venue.

To express your interest in being part of Valley Sounds for 2026, read the information below and submit your application by Sunday 10 May 2026.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO PROVIDE WITH YOUR APPLICATION

EOIs are open in two categories. In each category the venue MUST be in Moonee Valley, and all artists/ technicians MUST be paid standard minimum award (see point 6 in Eligibility Criteria for details).

Applicant will need to provide a project plan, confirmation evidence from the venue and musician/s, and an overview of planned expenses including artist fees and hire costs, ensuring funding request is within the set limit or showing where additional funds are to be sourced.

FUNDING CATEGORIES

CATEGORY 1: Up to $2,000

Proposals under this category will be smaller or more localised in scope, focusing on a single event with more modest programming, such as:

• a single band performance
• two to three smaller or acoustic bands
• several solo artists

The project plan and budget can be simple and straightforward, commensurate with the scale of the event.

CATEGORY 2: Up to $6,000

Proposals under this category are suited to shows with more extensive programming (or multi-night shows). A more comprehensive breakdown of the project plan and event budget will be required, outlining how the requested funding will be allocated across programming, artist fees, and other event expenses.

SELECTION CRITERIA

In addition to assessing the completeness and preparation of the plans required above, the panel will assess EOIs according to the following:

1. How well does your proposed event offer a unique festival experience that stands apart from your usual programming or standard business operations?

2. How well does your event showcase and support Moonee Valley’s Communities of Focus as musicians and performers on stage?

3. How well is your event accessible for audiences, creating a welcoming and inclusive experience?

4. How well does your proposed event foster a sense of community within grassroots local live music?

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

All applications must comply with the below eligibility criteria.

1. The venue must be situated in the City of Moonee Valley
2. The venue must meet all regulatory requirements to host live music events
3. The venue must be accessible to a wide range of audiences
4. The applicant’s ABN be must registered as a Company, Cooperative, Organisation, Partnership or Association (i.e. Sole Trader / Individual not eligible)
5. The applicant must hold Public Liability Insurance with a minimum coverage of $20MIL
6. The applicant must ensure payment and conditions for musicians and contract technicians employed to deliver the event are in line with Live Performance Award2020, including a minimum rate of $250 (plus GST) for a 3 hour call for performers and musicians engaged.
7. Ticketed shows should have appropriate and fair profit-sharing splits in place with contracted artists.
8. The applicant must have fully acquitted any previous grants received from the Moonee Valley City Council
9. The applicant must not have any debt payable to Moonee Valley City Council
10. The venue must be a registered business or not-for-profit establishment
11. Proposals must be a new offering from the venue (i.e. must not be Business as Usual)

For further information and to discuss your proposal, please contact:

Simon Clarke
Project Lead Igniting Creativity
liveandlocal@mvcc.vic.gov.au