Industry Advisor & Venue Specialist

Tam Boakes is a cornerstone of the Australian contemporary music industry with over 25 years of experience at the "front line" of venue operation and artist development. As the owner and operator of Jive in Adelaide—a multi-award-winning venue celebrating its 25th anniversary—Tam has curated one of the country's most respected stages for live, original music.

Her leadership extends nationally as the CEO and Chair of the Australian Music Venue Foundation (AMVF), a peak non-profit body dedicated to protecting and nurturing grassroots music venues across Australia. In this role, she advocates for the systemic change and investment required to sustain the nation’s live music ecosystem.

Tam’s career is defined by a deep commitment to developing young audiences and sustainable career pathways for artists. This is demonstrated through her ongoing partnership with Carclew for the Holiday Bands project, which provides emerging musicians with essential performance experience and mentorship. Her diverse background—spanning band management and record labels—allows her to offer holistic, high-level strategic advice that bridges the gap between creative talent and commercial viability.

A passionate advocate for the "big music starts in small venues" philosophy, Tam remains a vital voice in ensuring the South Australian industry remains vibrant, inclusive, and professionalised.