Live music venues facing rising costs and falling revenues in regional and metropolitan NSW are getting support from the Minns Labor Government for vital stage, sound, planning and cost cutting works.
Rebuilding the live music scene has been a central part of the government's night-time economy agenda after lockouts, lockdowns and persistent inflation have put hundreds of venues out of business.
The latest $3.8 million funding round will support 33 venues from Bathurst to Bega and Newtown to Cronulla with soundproofing, upgraded audio-visual equipment, planning advice and staging.
This includes a new stream that invests in screen and lighting, in recognition that live music venues are increasingly competing with streaming, social media and other new media so need to provide compelling audiovisual experiences to keep drawing crowds.
Venues benefiting from this support include:
- The Brass Monkey - Cronulla: $121,096 to support upgrades to stage, speakers, backline instruments, ventilation and sound proofing.
- The Press Basement Bar - Tamworth: $68,022 for regular live music programming, speakers and backline instrument upgrades that will improve technical outcomes for artists and audiences.
- The Lansdowne - Chippendale: $150,000 for energy efficiency upgrades including solar panels and battery installation.
- Hoey Moey - Coffs Harbour: $150,000 to upgrade sound system, monitor system, mixer and lighting rig.
- King St Hotel - Newcastle: $500,000 to instal LED video display, new lighting system and film/video cameras.
This third round of venue support combines with a range of measures the Minns Labor Government have introduced through its Vibrancy Reforms to support a revival of the live music scene including:
- Incentives for live music: 596 registered live music venues getting reduced licensing fees and extended trading hours for programming live music. This is quadruple the number since coming into government.
- Special Entertainment Precincts: there are now ten Special Entertainment Precincts in operation, up from one at the time of coming to office. Over 20 more are in preparation.
- Noise complaints: stopped single serial noise complainants from shutting down venues, established 'order of occupancy' consideration and streamlined the complaints system.
Click here to see the full list of recipients.
Minister for Arts, Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said:
"In the last few months we've lost more than five venues in Sydney including Mary's Underground and Moshpit Bar. These are venues that constantly staged and championed live music, which shows how much pressure our venues are under.
"These venues are treasured by their local communities, by artists and music fans. This is about backing them with vital investments they often need but can't afford in the current climate.
"I'm particularly excited about supporting venues with screens and visuals because they help take the live experience to another level, which is so important as gigs compete with other forms of entertainment including screen time at home.
"If we let our music venues fail then our night-time economies and our cultural life will suffer, and we can't afford to let that happen."
Head of Sound NSW Emily Collins said:
"The Venue Upgrade Grants will increase the number of fit-for-purpose live music venues across the state, uplift sector knowledge and expertise and improve audience experience in venues across NSW.
"For performers and artists, it will expand live music offerings, improve equipment and sound quality and enhance performance capabilities - giving artists more creative freedom."
Brass Monkey owner Jed Nakhle said:
"After several incredibly challenging years for the live music industry, most of our revenue has simply been about keeping the doors open and surviving, rather than being able to invest in the venue.
"This grant has given us the opportunity to finally make some much-needed improvements to the Brass Monkey, helping us build a stronger future for the venue, our artists and our community."
The Press Basement Bar director Luke Fielding said:
"The Press Basement Bar in Tamworth NSW is honoured to be a recipient of the Venue Upgrade Grant. This funding is more than just financial support; it represents a commitment to enhancing our community's cultural landscape.
"This upgrade will significantly elevate the sound quality for diverse genres, attracting both local and touring artists. Ultimately, it will boost the demand for live music and enrich the musical scene in Tamworth, creating a vibrant hub for artistic expression and community engagement."
