- The Crisafulli Government is delivering almost $1 million to fifteen live music venues across Queensland to grow their business and boost gigs for local artists.
- Round two of the Growing Gigs Fund and Live Music Venue Business Grants has delivered increased funding to help bolster Queensland's live music scene.
- Queenslanders have now seen 10 months of delivering genuine support for the live music sector under the Crisafulli Government, after a decade of decline under Labor.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start for Queensland's live music venues with new upgrades and more gigs for local musicians to help businesses boost their bottom line.
Fifteen venues across the State from rural Atherton to coastal Kawana Waters will share in funding of almost $1 million to support new upgrades, develop initiatives, and reduce the cost of hosting live performances.
The financial support will help emerging and established Queensland artists by providing more opportunities to perform at local venues, such as the Sublime Farm and Brewery at Kia Ora in rural Gympie.
Sublime Farm and Brewery has received $30,000 through the Growing Gigs Fund to increase ticketed shows featuring homegrown musicians.
This round of the Live Music Venue Business Grants offers increased funding to enhance the resilience of 13 venues, including The Alley in Yeppoon, utilising $76,643 to build a permanent weather-resistant structure over its outdoor dining and performance area.
Six live music venues received funding through both funds, including Crowbar in Brisbane, which will increase live music events featuring Queensland musicians to provide them with more opportunities to perform alongside national headline acts.
The Crisafulli Government is laying the foundation for a fresh start with a $75.8 million Arts Budget allocated to boosting regional arts experiences, backing the State's screen sector and growing creative experiences for all Queenslanders, after Labor's decade of decline.
The announcement comes as industry professionals gather to explore touring opportunities and the role of regional Queensland venues in fostering a thriving statewide live music scene during the BIGSOUND networking event, 'Queensland on Tour'.
Brisbane's Fortitude Valley has been brought to life with the southern hemisphere's biggest celebration of live music this week, with BIGSOUND celebrating the importance of live music in our communities.
Minister for the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said the live music funding boost recognised the vital role venues play in growing the music industry and connecting communities.
"We're delivering genuine support for our live music sector, after 10 years of decline under Labor," Minister Langbroek said.
"As venues navigate the challenges of increasing costs and changing audience demand, these grants will ensure great homegrown music is accessible for locals and visitors.
"We're committed to growing the careers of our talented music artists, delivering on our 10-year arts and cultural strategy, Queensland's Time to Shine.
"This investment of almost $1 million will help to safeguard the future of live music in Queensland."
Co-owner and managing director of Sublime Farm and Brewery, Richie Eyles, said the Growing Gigs grants are vital for live music to continue in regional Queensland.
"Anyone involved in the music industry over the past few years knows how brutal it has been – venues have closed, businesses have folded, and opportunities have dried up," Mr. Eyles said.
"This grant has given us the confidence and capacity to hold a quarterly mini festival, showcasing incredible talent from across Queensland."
Co-owners of The Alley in Yeppoon, Ben and Leah Crowley, said the Live Music Venue Business grant would allow their venue to host more local and national touring artists, providing employment and boosting the local economy in Central Queensland.
"We have wanted to install a roof over our alleyway since we opened three years ago in order to hold more regular outdoor events – this matched funding from Arts Queensland will enable us to do that," Mr Crowley said.
"This will be a game changer for our venue, our town and region, and we are excited about hosting more quality live music for the people of the Capricorn Coast."
