LISTEN UP MUSIC

The minds in music matter

Listen Up Music is an award-winning mental health music charity that believes in making a real difference.

We go beyond just raising awareness, focusing on constructive, impactful, and life-altering change. Our vision is to empower every music industry professional to develop and maintain positive mental health.

Through our events and programs, we build community, facilitate storytelling, and promote wellbeing. We’re home to The Songwriting Prize, Illuminate, Spotlight Series, the Pick-Me-Up Podcast, and other initiatives.

Everything is dedicated to the notion that the minds in music matter. Join us and be a part of the change.

What We Do

The Songwriting Prize

Australia’s largest live performance songwriting competition.

Our flagship annual initiative inviting creators to write, submit, and perform original songs that spark meaningful conversations, break down barriers, champion mental wellness, and inspire tangible social change across communities.

A large group of diverse people on stage celebrating, smiling, and raising their hands together. Stage lighting and musical equipment are visible.
Find out more

Community & Programs

Country-wide network of grass-roots mental health arts initiatives.

Interactive programs and workshops bringing artists and communities together to connect, collaborate, and thrive. We equip creators with practical tools, nurture local talent, and turn shared passion into lasting social impact.

Audience members at a comedy show or event, mostly women, watching attentively and clapping, with drinks and snacks on tables around them.
Learn more

Historical Vault

Over a decade of music, podcasts, and performance archives.

A dedicated digital showcase honoring eleven years of original songs, live events, and artist stories. Explore past competition entries, revisit podcast episodes, and experience the music that has powered our movement since 2014.

explore the archive
A large group of people, both men and women, gathered on a stage for a group photo at an event. They are smiling and standing in two rows, with some standing on a platform behind others. The background features a large screen or projector displaying a microphone and headphones, and there is a small orange sign in the front right corner of the stage that reads 'I am here.' Everyone is wearing casual or business casual attire, with some wearing name tags or badges.
Open book with glowing lights in the background, overlaid with a circular logo that features a music note, puzzle pieces, and an electrocardiogram line, with the text 'The Songwriting Prize 2026 The Next Chapter' and 'The Finals'.

The Songwriting Prize

The Songwriting Prize 2026: Regional Finals Complete

Our Regional Finals, held across 10 unique locations in Australia, are now complete. For the first time ever we crowned ten Regional Final Overall Winners, and they each share in a cobined $70,000 prize pool.

We will return in 2027, for Year 12 of the program, as we celebrate even more original live music across all corners of the country. See the 2026 results below, details of when entries open for 2027, and everything TSP-related.

THE SONGWRITING PRIZE DETAILS

Help Us Power Mental Health Action
Through Music

Listen Up Music is powered by a community of passionate artists, supporters, and advocates. Whether you become a member or make a tax-deductible donation, your support directly funds grassroots programs, songwriting initiatives, and community events nationwide.

Become a member
make a donation

The Sound of Our Community

Dive into original tracks written by The Songwriting Prize alumni and story-driven episodes from our official podcast.

Explore how music drives real conversation and connection.

  • Listen Up Music is an award-winning, registered Australian mental health music charity. We go beyond awareness-raising to drive meaningful, positive change in the music industry by building supportive communities, promoting positive mental health, and facilitating storytelling through music.

  • We host live events, educational programs, and community initiatives—such as The Songwriting Prize, Illuminate, the Spotlight Series, and the Pick-Me-Up Podcast—that foster safe, vulnerable spaces for musicians to share their experiences and connect.

  • Yes! Listen Up Music is a registered charity with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status in Australia. All donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • You can support us by making a tax-deductible donation, attending our live events, buying merchandise, volunteering, or partnering with us as a sponsor.

  • The Songwriting Prize is Australia’s largest live performance songwriting competition focusing on mental health. Each year, songwriters respond to a specific theme to share stories and compete across regional live finals.