After near decimation during the lockout era, the NSW live music scene is experiencing a surge in venues offering live music and accessing vibrancy incentives including extended trading hours.
From Cooma to Coogee and Marrickville to Murwillumbah pubs and clubs across the state have joined a record 564 venues accessing the live music incentives. This is quadruple the 133 venues accessing the scheme before the Minns Labor Government came to office in March 2023 and delivered three rounds of vibrancy reforms.
Some venues have seen a dramatic uptick in gigs with 7th Day Brewery in Brookvale increasing annual number of gigs from 80 to 300 (375% increase) and the Coledale RSL going from 72 to 150 annual gigs (208%) increase.
The live music incentives support eligible venues with an 80% discount on liquor licensing fees to reduce costs for businesses looking to host more live music, and an additional two hours of trade on nights they host live music (subject to DA) and an hour on every other night for venues in a Special Entertainment Precinct.
Eligible venues in metropolitan areas, including Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Newcastle and Wollongong, must host at least 10 gigs per month, with more flexible requirements in regional communities.
Of the 564 live music venues registered with Liquor & Gaming NSW, 158 are in regional NSW with recent updates to the Vibrancy Reforms providing even greater support for regional venues.
In addition to the live music incentives the Minns Labor Government have delivered the following benefits for live music venues:
- Removed the final elements of the lockout laws, including the last drinks requirement.
- Reformed noise complain system so single serial noise complaints can no longer lead to the shutdown of a music venue.
- Allowed venues to offer live entertainment without needing development approval in a range of contexts, including outdoors.
- Switched off development consent conditions restricting licensed venues to certain music genres, the type or number of instruments, the number of musicians, the playing of original music and "no entertainment" clauses.
- Introduced the Music Bill 2026 to create a live venue accreditation scheme so music venues can be identified and supported in the most effective way, including with grants and dispute mediation services.
- Delivered capacity-building grant programs, including Venue Upgrade Grants and the Live Performance Venue Program, which have supported 155 live performance venues to become more fit-for-purpose with upgraded sound equipment, soundproofing and marketing to attract new audiences.
Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said:
"We always wanted live music at the centre of the night-time economy revival and I'm very pleased to see that's what is happening.
"From pub rock in the 80s and 90s to the club scene in the 2000s - our state has such a rich history of live music. We're bringing that back as we rebuild the night-time economy from a decade of lockouts and lockdowns.
"To see the number of venues quadruple is a great sign our vibrancy reforms are working, and that there's a great appetite for venues and fans for live music."
Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:
"It's great to see our vibrancy reforms are striking the right chord with venue operators to reinvigorate the live music scene across NSW.
"There's nothing quite like a night out catching a gig at your local with friends, and people in NSW now have four times the opportunity to do just that thanks to the measures this Government has put in place.
"It's pleasing to see the positive impacts for premises, patrons and performers alike, while boosting employment opportunities and the NSW economy."
President of the Live Music Venues Alliance NSW, CEO of Crowbar Tyla Dombroski said:
"The discounted liquor licence fees have a real impact on our annual operating costs - in NSW we're now paying just 8.8% compared to our venue in QLD. The introduction of Special Entertainment Precincts and extended trading for live music also gives us greater flexibility to program a wider range of artists, genres and events.
"After more than a decade of lockouts, restrictions and uncertainty, these reforms represent a real turning point. They're creating opportunities for venues across NSW to rebuild, experiment and grow again - critical not just for operators, but for artists, crews and audiences who rely on a thriving live music ecosystem."
CEO Night Time Industries Association Mick Gibb said:
"Live music can help get someone off the couch and in front of a stage or convince them to cancel the UberEats order and opt for a parmi in a pub instead.
"Making it easier and more appealing for venues to program live music is an important part of strengthening the overall night time economy. As one piece of a bigger puzzle, live music had long been considered too difficult by many operators.
"The Vibrancy Reforms have made it possible for venues of all different shapes and sizes to add live music and performance to their offering. It encourages businesses to innovate and adapt to meet the evolving tastes and demands of patrons."
