For the fourth year running, JMC Academy is teaming up with Laneway Festival to give one of our own the chance to step out from rehearsal rooms and onto one of Australia’s most iconic festival stages! The iconic opportunity for a JMC Music Student or Alumni to join the Laneway lineup is back for 2026!
Imagine the buzz of the Laneway crowd, the mix of industry insiders and die-hard music fans waiting to discover their new favourite act. That’s what’s on offer in 2026. One JMC artist will join the official lineup, seeing their name listed alongside icons like Chappell Roan, Role Model and The Dare!
This isn’t just a gig, it’s a launchpad. In past years, we’ve seen JMC students and alumni translate this moment into something bigger: bookings, collaborations, media attention and the start of careers that no longer feel like someday dreams. The Laneway Festival slot has become a rite of passage for JMC’s community, a reminder that what’s being created inside JMC’s walls is very much part of the wider music conversation.
So what does it take to rep JMC on the Laneway Festival stage?
Not perfection. Not polish for the sake of it. What our experts and the Laneway programming team are searching for is authenticity: artists who can hold a crowd because they believe in their unique sound, who can walk on stage and make people turn to their friends and say, who is this?
Submissions are open now, and we’re inviting every JMC music student and recent graduate to put their name forward! Whether your world is indie guitars, left-field beats, hook-driven pop or something entirely uncategorisable, this is your chance to be seen, heard, and celebrated on one of the country’s most exciting stages.
We’ll pop the full T’s and C’s of entry //here//, but below are some of the major details:
The need-to-knows:
- All JMC music students, recent alumni, bands or solo acts where at least 50% of the performers are JMC students or alumni (up to 5 years post-grad).
- All styles are accepted, indie, electronic, hip-hop, experimental, rock, or something entirely your own, authenticity is key.
- Original music is a MUST! For most of your set at least! We want to feel your full presence on that stage.
Students interested in entering the JMC Laneway Festival Comp are invited to attend a dedicated 45-minute masterclass designed to support and strengthen their submission. This session will guide participants through key areas of professional practice to help them present their music confidently and clearly.
- Topics covered will include:
- Preparing a high-quality submission
- Artist branding and visual identity
- Social media presence
- Understanding what judges are looking for
- Other key tips for sharpening your submission
This session is open to all JMC music students. It’s a chance to ask questions and feel supported as you prepare your submission.
- A guaranteed performance slot at Laneway Festival’s 2026 Sydney event, as part of the official lineup.
- Exposure in front of festival attendees, music industry personnel and media.
The full Laneway artist experience. Your name on the lineup, backstage access and the JMC crew there to capture the experience. - A chance to network, to get feedback and grow!
- Support from JMC in preparing your act: promotion, mentoring, preparing and optimising your festival set!
The winning act will receive a tailored mentoring program designed to prepare them for this incredible opportunity. Mentoring sessions will cover essential areas of professional practice and artist development, including:
- Rehearsal strategies and performance preparation
- Movement and stage craft
- Developing marketing assets
- Creating technical riders and stage plots
Specialist JMC lecturers will be chosen based on the winning act’s location, requirements and existing skills set.
- Submit your entry: Upload your best tracks, video or live-performance clip, photos, bio, and whatever else shows off your artistry.
- A few lines about what makes you you. Your influences, creative direction and story.
Deadlines matter: entries will close on Sunday, 9th November 2025. Don’t wait until the last minute! - Our judging panel will be made up of folks from Laneway Festival and JMC’s expert music staff. They’ll be assessing submissions based on the following criteria: Originality of Act and Material; Strength of Songwriting and Arranging across all submitted material; Stagecraft, performance, and musicianship; Representation of JMC Values and Professionalism.
So what are you waiting for? This is your shot to bring something unique, something raw, and something you to the Laneway Festival lineup. The winner will be announced ahead of the festival, with support from JMC to get stage-ready and festival-tight. From there, the stage is yours.