Regional Songwriting Contest 2025

Join us as we unearth new and exciting talent from the Central West!
The annual Regional Songwriting Contest – Finalist Showcase, is a fabulous night of live entertainment, showcasing incredible local talent.

We are delighted to announce the finalists for 2025!

Bronagh Power
Caitlin James
Dom Lenarduzzi
Ellie Peterson
Emily Reynolds
Jess Rumball and Annika Classnitz
Layla Grace
Malia Stirling
Michael Loos
Mo McMorrow
Patrick O’Reilly
Phil Blatch

Joining each songwriter on stage, to provide musical backing, are our band of amazing local musicians:

Andy Nelson

Anna McPhail (Liquid Culture)

James Vanderhel (Pharlap’s Heart, Unsuitables)

Kris Schubert & Lian Wong (Safety of Life at Sea)

Tickets are general admission. Foyer doors open at 6:30pm, Showroom doors open from 7pm. Take a seat of your choosing in the Showroom. There’ll be cabaret style tables, bar stools with tables, plus lounges. Come in from the chill and enjoy a relaxed evening of live music.   

Food Boxes by local pastry chef, Martin Luhovy at FoodWeDo are available to pre-order for an additional $25.

FoodWeDo are a family-owned Pastry Kitchen Cafe, Caterer, Market Stall and Wholesaler in Bathurst. They grow some of the veggies they use, such as leeks and spinach. Their sweet treats are decorated with edible flowers from their raised garden beds and greenhouse. All products are hand made using local ingredients where possible with a focus on quality and freshness. 

(ENTRY NOW CLOSED) INFORMATION FOR SINGER/SONGWRITERS ENTERING THE COMPETITION 

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 12 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.

HOW TO ENTER

• Entries can be uploaded and completed online via the ENTER NOW ONLINE link (competition now closed).
• Or, email a scanned version of the downloadable ENTRY FORM to bmeclocalstages@bathurst.nsw.gov.au.

KEY DATES
Monday 5th May 2025 Entries open.
Thursday 26 June 2025 @ 11:59pm Entries Closed
Monday 7th July Finalists Announced
Saturday 09 August Rehearsal and Regional Songwriting Contest Top 12 Finalists in the BMEC Showroom.