Bid to spotlight local talent on major NZ tours

Inspired by Michael’s Rule in Australia, the Music Managers Forum (MMF) Aotearoa is calling for greater inclusion of New Zealand artists in international shows and tours.

Spotlight Aotearoa bids to ensure that every foreign artist performing in the country includes a New Zealand artist among their support acts.

The organisation points out that recent tours by Thom Yorke, Coldplay, Travis Scott, Kaytranada, Metallica and Hozier did not include support slots for local talent, while Pearl Jam, Fisher and Highly Suspect did not announce local supports until the 11th hour.

“In Aotearoa, many international touring acts perform without local support or announce support acts at the last minute,” it says. “This practice sidelines local talent, limiting their exposure to larger audiences and losing opportunities to showcase our diverse voices and culture.”

“Including local artists in international tours is essential to preserving the unique identity of Aotearoa’s music landscape”

Furthermore, the MMF says the examples of Messie’ and Christoph El Truento’s recent support slots for Fred Again and Yasiin Bey, respectively, provided “powerful examples of how a local artist can seamlessly complement an international act while gaining invaluable exposure and experience”.

“Including local artists in international tours is essential to preserving the unique identity of Aotearoa’s music landscape and strengthening our creative sector,” says MMF Aotearoa chair Cushla Aston. “By providing New Zealand artists with a platform to share the stage with global talent, we not only amplify their voices but also retain the economic and cultural benefits of live performances within Aotearoa.”

Australia’s Association of Artist Managers unveiled its proposal for Michael’s Rule earlier this year. The campaign bears the name of legendary artist manager Michael McMartin, who guided the career of Sydney rock band Hoodoo Gurus for more than four decades.

Spotlight Aotearoa shares the same three main tenets as Michael’s Rule, in that every international artist must include a domestic artist among their opening acts; the artist must appear on the same stage as the international artist using reasonable sound and lighting; and the artist must be announced at the same time as the tour so that they benefit from all the marketing and promotion.

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.