Regional Songwriting Contest 2025

Join us as we unearth new and exciting talent from the Central West.

Emerging songwriters are backed by a band of professional musicians from the region and compete for great prizes.

This annual event is a highlight for showcasing the incredible local talent. Come along and enjoy a fabulous night of live entertainment.

INFORMATION FOR SINGER/SONGWRITERS

The Regional Songwriting Contest returns for another year and we are looking to unearth new and exciting talent from the Central West of NSW. This includes any songwriter from the Bathurst, Blayney, Oberon, Lithgow, Mid-Western, Cabonne, Orange, Cowra, Weddin, Forbes, Parkes or Lachlan local government areas.

Some key things to note for entries:

• Eligible songs cannot have been previously professionally recorded or released.
• Songwriters need to provide lyrics and chords (pdf or word file) plus some form of melody (a phone recording is fine, mp3 or m4a, less than 10MB).
• Up to 15 of the top songs will be selected by an industry panel to be performed live on Saturday 9 August 2025 at a gala event in the BMEC Showroom.
• On the night the songs will be backed by a Festival band made up of 5 leading Bathurst musicians plus special guest musicians.
• Songwriters will sing their own songs (maximum of a trio).
• Two winning songwriters, selected by the panel and by popular vote on the night, will receive a weekend studio recording package. There will also be a People’s Choice Award.
• Songs must be received by 11.59pm Thursday 26 June 2025.
• Entries can be uploaded and completed online via the ENTER NOW ONLINE link, or via email with downloadable ENTRY FORM to bmeclocalstages@bathurst.nsw.gov.au.

KEY DATES
Monday 5th May 2025 Entries open – ENTER NOW ONLINE
Thursday 26 June 2025 @ 11:59pm Entries Closed
Monday 7th July Finalists Announced
Saturday 09 August Rehearsal and Regional Songwriting Contest Top 15 Finalists in the BMEC Showroom.