A Sound Future 2026-2028

A Sound Future is a new two-year strategy to enable South Australia’s music industry to perform, create and thrive, and audiences across the state to benefit from our rich music culture. It builds on the MDO's previous strategy Supporting Revival 2023 - 2025, acknowledges current challenges and opportunities, and celebrates South Australia’s extraordinary music sector.

The MDO considered a range of consultation and research to inform the development of A Sound Future, including reports from industry associations, Music Australia, and national and state parliamentary inquiries, the work of the Premier’s Live Music Advisory Council and more. These insights informed further targeted consultation by the MDO in late 2025, including a series of roundtable discussions and interviews with cultural leaders, artists, music businesses, industry organisations and a youth roundtable discussion.

Vision

South Australia is a place in which artists and music businesses thrive as part of a connected ecosystem, and in which music enriches our communities, contributes to our economy and celebrates our cultural identity.

Ambitions

  • South Australia’s music industry has strong Aboriginal representation, participation and cultural leadership.
  • South Australia’s world-class artists can build successful careers from our state.
  • Young people are recognised and valued as artists, audiences and businesses, now and into the future.
  • Our venues are accessible, and our music sector is equitable and inclusive.
  • South Australia is enlivened through music, and everyone can participate in and experience music culture.
  • There are clear pathways into the music industry, and professional development is available at all career stages.
  • South Australian music reaches audiences across the world, and our music industry is globally connected.
  • Adelaide, as a UNESCO City of Music, has a thriving live music ecosystem.
  • Organisations and government work collaboratively to collectively drive impact for the sector.

Strategies

  • Prioritise Aboriginal cultural leadership and knowledge.
  • Update the MDO’s funding programs to meet the evolving needs of artists and music businesses.
  • Support young people as artists, audiences and businesses, now and into the future.
  • Boost support for live music venues and festivals.
  • Increase state-wide access to and participation in music.
  • Build capabilities and professional development pathways across the music ecosystem.
  • Connect the South Australian music sector to international networks.
  • Grow the profile of South Australia’s music sector.
  • Collaborate to collectively drive impact for the sector.

The strategies set out in A Sound Future will be delivered through a range of actions by the MDO, in partnership with industry associations, government agencies, artists and businesses, including Music Australia, MusicSA, Australian Music Industry Network (AMIN), The Push, Carclew and Adelaide City of Music (UNESCO). These actions complement and build upon CreateSA’s A Place to Create Delivery Plan 2025–2027.