In the second year of RAC Arena’s initiative, emerging West Australian musician, Angie Colman, has been chosen by a judging panel of local and interstate industry professionals to be the recipient of the Limelight music support fund package valued at over $15,000. The judging panel included RAC Arena’s Michael Scott, WAM board member Kristina West, Mackenzie Moor from Select Music Agency, Lemon Tree Music’s Kristie McCarthy, and Josh Terlick from Cut Above Collective.
Launched as part of the Arena’s 10th anniversary celebrations last year, Limelight, presented by RAC Arena and supported by WAM, seeks to support upcoming local musicians by providing financial, performance and promotion opportunities over a 12 month period. New and emerging Australian performers, 18 years or older, were invited to apply and demonstrate the activity they would like to undertake throughout the year, how they planned to use the support fund package, and lay out their expected outcomes to their career as a result.
This year the venue provided even more opportunities to shine a light on local talent by creating two runner up packages valued at $3000 each. These have been awarded to indie musician, Riley Pearce, and rock duo, Those Who Dream.
As the winner of the main prize, Angie Colman will be able to access the support package during the one year period between 1 January to 31 December 2024, including:
- $5,000 financial assistance
- Radio campaign thanks to Nova Entertainment
- $2,500 music equipment thanks to Mega Music and Yamaha
- Inclusion in the WAMFest 2024 line-up
- Promotional support via RAC Arena’s marketing channels
“We are excited to announce Angie Colman as the recipient of our major 2023 Limelight package and can’t wait to see how the fund can assist in taking her career to the next level. We have no doubt she has a bright future ahead in this industry. She’s well on her way already to becoming the next big arena act and we look forward to playing our small part in it.” says RAC Arena’s general manager Michael Scott.
Mr Scott continues, “Congratulations also to Riley Pearce and Those Who Dream on receiving our brand-new runner up prize. We aim to make this initiative bigger and better each year and are proud to be able to offer the additional support for 2024. Giving back to the community we live and work in is at the core of who we are, and we appreciate this opportunity to help grow the vibrant music scene that we have in WA.”
Speaking on behalf of WAM, Strategic Relationships and Development Manager, Georgia Kennedy says, “Hugest of congratulations to Angie Coleman as this year’s Limelight winner, and also to runners up Riley Pearce and Those Who Dream! WA boasts such an incredibly dynamic and abundant talent pool and support through a platform like the Limelight Music Support Fund can make such a huge impact on their careers. WAM is very proud to partner with RAC Arena on this vital and welcome program.”
Angie was thrilled to be chosen as this year’s main prize winner, “I’m so excited and grateful to be the recipient of this year’s Limelight Grant, which will go towards releasing my debut album in 2024. Considering how much incredible talent there is in Perth, I feel extremely proud and grateful for this opportunity. Boorloo has a thriving music scene that produces world class talent and it’s wonderful to feel supported by RAC Arena and WAM and congratulations to the two runner up recipients as well.”
The folk/rock artist goes on to explain, “My wonderful band and I have been playing so many shows and working super hard, and it’s beautiful to feel seen for the dedication I have to this journey. I will use this money towards vinyl pressing for my debut album (to be released late-2024), which will also mean I can put more money and energy into touring and creating. I am co-producing the album and will also be using the Mega Music and Yamaha funding to add to my studio to save on hire costs and be able to self-produce more bodies of work moving forward. I’m honestly so elated. Thank you so much!”
To find out more about RAC Arena’s Limelight initiative, click here.
