Labor Will Back 10,000 Gigs In The Creative State
Melbourne is the live music capital of the world, with one venue for every 8,915 residents. That puts us ahead of other major cities renowned for their music scene, including Berlin, New York, London and Austin, Texas.
A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will get more artists back on-stage with a $34 million investment in Victoria’s world-class live music industry – supporting bands to get back where they belong, in front of adoring live audiences on stages and in venues, bars and clubs right across the state.
Supporting thousands of artists and packing venues across the state, we’ll invest $7.5 million to provide up to $1,000 to musicians to perform at live music venues.
This investment will support around 10,000 gigs over the next four years – giving more performers a stage and giving more Victorians the chance to see the live music they love, while packing pubs, clubs and venues across the state.
Our live music industry is recognised across the globe and we’re putting measures in place that’ll ensure it stays that way, with a cultural precinct planning overlay that protects the use of live music venues – ensuring the venues here today, are here to stay.
We’ll supercharge the creation of new venues too, ending the freeze on late-night licences in inner-city councils, including Yarra, Stonnington, Port Phillip and Melbourne’s CBD – allowing our renowned hospitality and live music industry to add to the state’s revered live music venues and cultural hot spots.
Victoria is known for its music festival scene – to keep it that way, Labor will invest $2.5 million for a Live Music Major Events Fund, providing grants of up to $50,000 for music festivals, big and small, across the state.
Delivered after Labor’s 2018 election promise, Always Live will tour the state for another four years, with a re-elected Andrews Labor Government backing the iconic multi-day, state-wide musical festival with a further $20 million – drawing some of the biggest music acts from Australia and the world to Victoria.
And we’ll support the next generation of musicians with $2 million to provide music students with mentoring from professional songwriters and musicians, fostering and recognising creative talent at secondary school.
The live music scene doesn’t stop at the edge of the CBD – our suburbs and regions are home to some of the most talented acts, that’s why a re-elected Andrews Labor Government will ensure at least 25 per cent of music festivals and live music gigs are held in regional Victoria.
We’ll also make sure our live music venues remain live music venues. If re-elected we will introduce a new planning overlay, that will protect the use of a venue for a specific cultural purpose – in this case live music. This will protect our iconic live music from being demolished to make way for high rises.
Over the past two years, we’ve ensured the music industry has been well positioned to get back on their feet with more than $80 million in direct support for venues and performers, part of our more than $850 million in support to the creative sector since the start of the pandemic.
To further assist the industry recover, grow and thrive we’ll establish the Music Industry Advisory Council, which will provide a forum for advice and collaboration between industry, government and community – maximising opportunities to deliver more growth for the Victorian music industry.
We’ll also continue to back artists who face challenges with their mental health with a $2 million donation to Support Act – an important charity safeguarding the mental health and wellbeing of musicians.
You can’t trust Matthew Guy’s Liberals. When last in government they cut more than $20 million from our creative industries, hurting local creatives and costing local jobs.
Victoria has grown into beacon of live music and culture for artists, performers and musicians around the world, drawing thousands of visitors to destinations across the state and only Labor will ensure the industry has the support it needs to continue our reputation as Australia’s live music capital.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“Live music is a vital part of the Victorian economy – we are proud of our vibrant creative scene and we’ll continue to back the artists and venues who entertain us all.”
“We have supported the live music industry to bounce back after the pandemic. Now a re-elected Labor Government will continue to back live music with a $34 million package to ensure it grows and thrives.”
“This is an announcement that’s good for artists, good for audiences and good for venues and further cements our reputation as Australia’s live music capital.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Steve Dimopoulos
“We’re not just talking about it, we’re getting on with delivering more opportunities for musicians and the teams that support them.”
“Victoria is Australia’s live music capital for a reason. Only a Labor Government will keep backing creatives and live music talent to keep them doing what they do best.”