More venues across NSW will be able to host more live music, create gigs for local musicians and boost night-time economies due to a funding boost from the Minns Labor Government.
With triple the amount of funding from last year, 39 venues will get a total of $5.1 million from the Venue Upgrade Grants that support operators with the sound proofing, equipment and professional advice they need to host live music without impacting on their neighbours.
This support helps small business struggling with cost pressures, allowing them to expand their offering and give locals more entertainment options that don't incur travel costs.
Recipients include The Eltham Hotel in Eltham, Outback Arts in Coonamble, The Servo in Port Kembla, The Globe in Albury, Red Rattler in Marrickville, Elton Chong in Penrith.
The 2024/25 Venue Upgrade Grants are being delivered across two streams:
- Venue Upgrade Infrastructure Development: $4,950,114 delivered to 30 dedicated live music venues to support sound proofing, energy efficiency upgrades, and the purchase of audio-visual equipment.
- Venue Upgrade Advice & Consultation: $117,366 delivered to 9 venues to support access to best-practice advice from consultants and experts, including guidance on development applications and planning expenses, legal services, licensing consultants, energy efficiency audits, and acoustic reports.
This year's program is an expanded version of the 2023/4 $1.6 million Soundproofing Grant Program, offering greater support for a wider range of venue improvements, in recognition of the cultural and social benefits of live music and its importance in the revival of the NSW night-time economy.
In addition to the venue grants, the NSW Government has supported the live music sector in the following ways:
- Extended trading hours and reduced licencing fees for 479 venues that host live music.
- Introduced greater protections for venues from noise complaints.
- Removed outdated entertainment restrictions from planning consents and liquor licences.
- Supporting local artists to record and tour through $7.7 million of Sound NSW grants.
- Backing local musicians through the new $80,000 NSW Music Prize, $40,000 NSW First Nations Music Prize and $40,000 NSW Breakthrough Artist of the Year award.
- Established Michael's Rule incentives for international acts to book a local support act.
- Supporting music festivals through the $2.25 million Contemporary Music Festival Viability Fund.
For the full list of venues support by the Venue Upgrade grants click here.
Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said:
"Future stars will start out on these stages, these venues are a crucial part of the NSW live music sector.
"Too many venues are under pressure from ageing infrastructure, noise restrictions and rising costs. We're supporting them through those challenges so they can keep bringing communities together, backing local music and driving the night-time economy.
"Last year we focussed on sound proofing grants, this year we've tripled the program and increased the ways we're helping venues get gig ready."
"From regional pubs to city bars and community music venues, this funding will improve the safety, sound quality and experience for artists and audiences alike."
Head of Sound NSW Emily Collins said:
"The Venue Upgrade Grants program is designed to help create world-class music venues that improve experiences for audiences and create life-long music fans, fostering a thriving live music scene across the state.
"From upgrades to lighting and sound systems, accessibility and energy, to improvements in soundproofing, ventilation and air-conditioning, this program is addressing the real-world challenges faced by venue operators - such as outdated sound systems, accessibility issues and urgent building upgrades.
"These upgrades are not just cosmetic; they are the difference between a venue closing or staying open. The Venue Upgrade Grants build on our previous Soundproofing Grants and are about supporting local businesses, artists and audiences, to help strengthen the industry and ensure a sustainable future for live music across NSW."
2024/25 Venue Upgrade Grants recipient, General Manager at The Servo, Port Kembla, James Spink said:
"This Sound NSW funding is an absolute game changer for us - with this support we'll be able to realise our vision for The Servo, transforming the venue into a fully fit-for-purpose live music space. This enables us to support and nurture emerging and diverse artists, both locally and as part of the vital touring network across Australia."
"We'll be able to double our live music programming, unlocking new opportunities for artists, audiences and staff, creating hundreds more gigs, more jobs, increased community engagement and artist development."
"By upgrading our technical and production capabilities, we're going to be bringing a massively elevated audience experience! We are absolutely stoked to say the least!"
2023/24 Soundproofing Grants for Live Music Venues recipient, Senior Program Manager Red Rattler, Kween G said:
"The sound mitigation project at Red Rattler has reduced noise levels dramatically. It's being noticed by venue hirers and performers.
"Our neighbours have stopped complaining about noise and we've been receiving positive responses from artists. We built a backstage area using soundproof walls so that noise no longer bleeds into that room.
"Performers are able to prepare for their show beforehand in a quiet space and get on stage and do their thing."
