The panel will advise and support the DCC in implementing the Ōtepoti live music action plan, which represents a commitment to the communities who experience, participate, create, and support live music in the city, now and into the future.
Councillors recently chose representatives from a strong applicant pool to fill five community vacancies on the newly established panel.
The panel’s youth representative is Charlie Brough, who has just finished NCEA level 3 at Taieri College, and intends to study music at the University of Otago next year.
His band, Valetta, placed in the top 10 at the 2024 Smokefree Tangata Beats competition, and the young songwriter has had some of his songs recorded as part of the Play It Strange competition in 2022 and 2024.
The panel’s community representatives are Save Dunedin Live Music founder and sound engineer Dave Bennett, Dunedin Musicians’ Club president and Saurian lead singer Karl Brinsdon, former Look Blue Go Purple bass player Francisca Griffin, Whare Flat Folk Festival director and musician, recording engineer and producer Stephen Stedman, and AWOL Creative director and singer-songwriter Abby Wolfe.
The DCC also confirmed two elected members - Crs Mandy Mayhem and SteveWalker.
Mana whenua are also in the process of nominating a representative to the panel.
Mr Brindson said he was excited about collaborating with the council.
"I’m looking forward to seeing some growth in Dunedin’s music scene and some positive changes going forward.
"The live music scene has been dwindling over the years. Certainly, a lot of the venues I used to play at when I was growing up have vanished.
The scene needs a revival and I’m looking forward to working with council to find alternative venues."
He said it was difficult to say when the sector might see some positive changes.
"This is just the start of the song. Tune in to see how the rest of it goes."
Cr Mayhem said the panel selection balanced both the experienced and emerging voices of "Ōtepoti’s music ecosystem", ensuring the skills and knowledge of the past and present would be carried into the future.
Cr Walker said the panel was an important platform for the voices of the city’s diverse music communities to be heard.
"Like Mandy, I’m looking forward to working closely with a group of talented people who are not only well entrenched in the local music community, but clearly passionate about helping others."
The panel members are not remunerated, and will meet at least four times a year to advise and support the DCC’s implementation of the action plan, monitor its progress, and share developments with their communities and other stakeholders.
