Musician Aidan Sammut has criticized an AI-generated performance at the Sydney Emerging Artists Show, arguing that the opportunity should have gone to a human band instead. Image credit (Instagram)
Musician Aidan Sammut has sparked industry talk after he complained about a live music event designed to promote new artists where AI-generated material was performed. The event has sparked renewed interest in the impact of artificial intelligence on the music industry, as well as concerns about the availability of opportunities for human musicians.According to 702 ABC Sydney, Aidan Sammut was in rehearsal with his bandmates preparing for their gig at a venue in Sydney’s inner west when they learned that one of the artists in the lineup, Afro Charles, had used AI-generated content in their music.“We wondered, ‘How is this going to go? What is the performance actually going to be like?'” Sammut said. “I think the shock and then the shock turned into disgust. Just kind of feeling insulted by the fact that this could actually happen.”The event took place on Wednesday and was designed specifically for small bands trying to establish themselves in the music scene. Sammut expressed his displeasure at being in the same lineup as the AI team. “My biggest issue is that the spot given to an AI artist could have been given to a human band. This event was specifically for small bands trying to get started in the scene,” he told the outlet.
The creator defends the AI music approach
Damien Amamou, creator of Afro Charles, defended his decision to use AI in his music and said its use was clearly exposed on the music business’ social media.
He explained: “There is a leaflet that says we are a three-person band, made up of two characters or two robots and a human. The human is the one who sings the live performance.”Amamoo started his Afro-pop band late last year using an AI-powered music generator platform. Afro Charles consists of three members: Amamoo and two “virtual avatars” whose vocals are generated by artificial intelligence. He described artificial intelligence as a tool similar to traditional tools used in music production.
The platform allows users to adapt their voices and utilize built-in singers in their compositions. Amamoo has drawn comparisons to other technological innovations in music history.
“Nothing is 100 percent new. Remember how hip-hop sampled the sounds of the previous generation to create new music,” he noted, acknowledging that issues of fair use and intellectual property still needed to be resolved.
The event organizer accepts responsibility
The music services company that booked the event issued a statement acknowledging its oversight. “We take full responsibility for not checking the artist’s social media and did not encourage the use of artificial intelligence,” the statement read.
“The organization and venue have never booked people who use AI to create music, and they never will,” they added.
Sammut’s criticisms Artificial intelligence in music
Sammut fundamentally disagreed with Amamoo’s view on the use of AI music generators. “It’s basically based on stealing human art. I think it has a long way to go and a lot of things to address before it becomes an accepted part of the music industry,” he said.The budding musician emphasized that even creating digital music using other tools remains primarily driven by human creativity.
“With drum machines, DJs and electronic dance music, that kind of thing, even though it’s digital, it’s still human creativity that’s driving the work,” he explained. “And to program a good pattern for a drum machine or anything else, you still need a basic understanding of what it takes to create a good beat.”
Concerns about Emerging artists ‘Opportunities
Live performances represent one of the few sources of income available to budding musicians like Sammut. He expressed concern that AI artists would become more common and perhaps reduce paid opportunities for human artists.
“As someone who’s trying to make a career out of performing live and releasing music, it’s really frustrating to see this increasingly put pressure on the music industry as sort of a cheap alternative to actually paying people,” he said.Sammut expressed hope that venues would be more vigilant in the future when booking artists. “I think what I’m worried about now is the possibility of these kinds of things slipping through the cracks,” he noted.
Place response and policy changes
The venue’s license holder explained the confusion surrounding the booking. When Amamoo contacted them, they were told that Afro Charles was a producer with live vocals. “For me, that can mean a lot of things, someone on stage with an instrument,” Rory Summers said.The venue emphasized its desire to remain neutral regarding musical tastes while providing space for diverse artists. “As a venue, we don’t want to be the arbiter of taste. We just want to be a space for people to come and connect.”
“Not all the music played here is my cup of tea,” Summers said.In response to the controversy, the venue donated bar profits from the night to a charity that supports those working in the music industry. Additionally, the venue has now changed its booking process to explicitly ask artists whether AI is being used in their music, ensuring greater transparency at future events.
