Music Victoria key achievements to date

Changing laws

On 6th October 2010, Music Victoria was a signatory to the Live Music Agreement 2010 which, among other things, removed the link between live music and violence. Victorian venues were then allowed to re-apply for their license conditions without the onerous security measures and compliance.

The Music Victoria CEO, Patrick Donovan, is now a member of the Liquor Control Advisory Council to monitor on-going issues.

The Coalition Government has committed to acknowledging the invaluable contribution made to Victoria by the live music industry by making legislative changes to the objects of the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998. The State Government has created a help desk with dedicated licensing officers to assist licensees who provide live music to navigate the liquor licensing system. Music Victoria is helping the Government set up a Live Music Roundtable to monitor ongoing issues, such as strengthening the Agent of Change Principle (Order of Occupancy where the onus is on the party who has made the recent move, either by introducing music, or moving in next door).

‘Live at the G’

In March and April 2011, Music Victoria partnered with the AFL and Cherry Rock consultants to create the ‘Live at the G’ project, which gave some of Victoria’s most promising bands a chance to gain mass exposure (50,000-80,000 viewers at the ground, and more than one million watching the Channel 7 broadcast). Little Red, Airbourne and Paris Wells performed 20 minute sets immediately before the start of the first three Friday night games of the 2011 football season. The bands’ managers reported a spike in iTunes sales, live ticket sales and increased opportunities. Many young fans also enjoyed the enhanced match day experience. The idea took off, and ‘Live at the G’ will return for the finals series later in 2011, with Music Victoria’s Victorian Music Councillor James Young booking Victorian bands. Many other clubs now also book live music as part of their match day entertainment.

Parking permits for musicians

Musicians were complaining that they were being fined for parking whilst loading in or out at their gigs and so were out of pocket even after getting paid for a show. So in October 2010, Music Victoria approached the City of Yarra about brokering a deal to allow musicians to park in loading bays like any other small business. The Council agreed it was only fair and offered permits to venues which would pass them on to musicians playing on the night to allow musicians to load in and out without fear of being fined. The Council also installed permanent display boards in Smith Street for people to legally paste up posters to promote shows and events. Music Victoria plans on taking this initiative to other councils. The City of Yarra Live Music Working Group is identifying other suitable locations in Yarra for more bill poster boards.

Buskers

Music Victoria represented Melbourne’s buskers during the Melbourne City Council’s recent Street Activity Policy Review. In September 2010, Lord Mayor Robert Doyle announced that the council was considering the introduction of an audition process based on performance merit for all busking permits. Music Victoria argued that that would have prevented many of the more unique and developing artists from busking and adding to the colour of our streets. The council took on board our submission and ruled out blanket auditioning. The audition process will only be for buskers who wish to perform in the high profile Bourke Street Mall location, with a peer busker to be a member of the performance review process. It also agreed to reduce the fees for both busking permits and the sale of merchandise. Music Victoria is advising the council on an upcoming busking competition.