Navy bands offered attendees at the Indo Pacific 2025 exposition and conference a relaxing break during a week of deep discussions ranging from recruitment and retention to nuclear-powered submarines.

Across the three days of the event, held throughout the Sydney International Convention Centre, numerous bands filled the venue with their expertly played tones.

The week began with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Parade band performing at the opening ceremony, setting the tone for the evening with their elegant melodies.

The RAN Band Sydney also performed in a number of smaller musical ensembles for attendees.

Inside the Navy Life Experience, the RAN Acoustic ensemble played modern hits for the high-school students, offering a side of Navy not often considered by future recruits.

On the path to the trade floor, the RAN Woodwind trio set the mood for attendees moving between panels, providing a soothing reprieve from the serious conversations and presentations from the week.

Musician Petty Officer Henry Liang said the audience was diverse.

“There’s such a wide range of people walking through," he said. 

"We’ve seen everyone from industry professionals to freshly graduated seamen, the Chief of Navy and Chief of the Defence Force.”

Musician Able Seaman Rachel Thompson said they were always open to speak to people between sets.

“We had so many people stop and chat throughout the week, and some just standing to watch and take in the music,” Able Seaman Thompson said.

Although they may not be talked about as much as other roles in the Navy, after a spectacular performance during the closing ceremony, there was no question that the RAN Band is one of Navy’s best-loved work groups.