Selection Criteria
1. One place is available for [an] enrolled JMC Academy student(s) or alumni* to be included in the Line-up and perform at Laneway Festival 2026 in Sydney on Sunday 8 February 2026.
2. Artist(s) must be [an] enrolled Music (Songwriting, Performance, Music Prod) student(s) at JMC as of 8th October 2025 or *have graduated (Diploma or Bachelor) within 5 years of this date (Alumni).
3. Note: This may include Music students enrolled in the February 2026 intake at JMC. Both solo artists and bands are encouraged to apply. To be eligible for selection, each music act must comprise a minimum of fifty percent (50%) current JMC students or JMC alumni. In the event of any membership changes prior to the Laneway Festival, the band must continue to meet the minimum requirement of fifty percent (50%) current JMC students or JMC alumni to retain eligibility.
4. To qualify, applicants must submit the following by midnight AEDT time on Sunday 9th November 2025.
a. 2 Audio Tracks
b. A performance video/clip
c. A short statement explaining who you/ your band are and why you think you should receive this opportunity to play at Laneway Festival.
d. Artist/band biography describing the project
i. All music submitted must be original and owned by the performing artist.
ii. Artists and/or acts will be assessed according to the following criteria:
a. Originality of Act and Material
b. Strength of Songwriting and Arranging across all submitted material
c. Stagecraft, performance, and musicianship
d. Representation of JMC Values and Professionalism
5. A selection of 3 artists will be put forward to the Laneway Festival 2026 judging panel who will select the final winner(s).
6. The winner(s) will be announced to the public on/around Friday 12th December 2025 at midday. The winners will be informed prior to the announcement date. The winner(s) must be available to JMC Academy for promotional purposes.
The Prize
7. Artist/s will perform at Laneway Festival 2026 in Sydney and thereby be available on Sunday 8th February 2026 with potential for JMC Academy media dates either side of the performance. Accommodation costs for out of state winners (if any) will be provided by JMC Academy.
8. Flights (if any) will NOT be provided by JMC Academy or Laneway. Artist/s teams are responsible for arranging any extra travel required.
9. Artist/s will be billed as an artist on the Laneway Festival 2026 Sydney line up (1 city only) including promotion on the Sydney page of the Laneway Festival 2026 website and given promotion on Laneway Festival marketing channels.
10. Artist/s will receive access to standard festival backline and production at the Laneway Festival 2026 they’re performing at.
11. Artist/s will receive temporary access to a festival green room, and standard festival hospitality rider at the Laneway Festival 2026 they’re performing at.
Terms and Conditions
1. The winner(s) must engage in JMC Academy promotional and performance opportunities at JMC including but not limited to open days, orientation/O Week, ‘Cassette Award’ performances and judging, and general promotional media opportunities for 12 months.
2. The winner(s) must credit/tag JMC Academy in all social posts pertaining to the win and sharing of related content.
3. The winner(s) must agree in writing to Laneway Festival’s standard Artist Contract terms - provided once the prize winner is selected.
4. The winner(s) will be subject to ANY OTHER terms and conditions also provided by Laneway Festival 2026 in the course of being a Laneway Artist at the Festival.
5. JMC Academy reserves the right to reproduce performance footage and audio for internal and external promotional use for an indeterminate amount of time. If JMC Academy wishes to film the artist, then JMC MAY reproduce performance footage and audio for internal and external promotional use.
You must submit
· 2 audio tracks
· 1 performance video or clip
· A short description explaining who you/your band are
· Why you think you should receive this opportunity to play at Laneway Festival '25
Good to know
· The winner(s) will be announced Friday 12th December 2025
· The winner(s) must be available for promotional activity with JMC