The Melbourne Live Music Census released in April 2018 reported the value of door/ticket revenue generated by live music events at $389.2 million. Ancillary spending by patrons (food/drink/transport etc) attending those events was calculated at $1.03 billion, for a total economic generation of $1.42 billion.
While that was as accurate as possible at the time, it relied in part on 2016 Live Performance Australia data to estimate attendance and spending at major ticketed events (concerts, festivals, theatres) across the live music performance sector. We now have the LPA’s 2017 Ticket and Revenue Survey which reveals that 2017 was a bumper year for the performing arts, for Victoria and live music in particular.
What this latest report reveals is that in calculating the revenue generated for 2017, we should add $277 million to the figure reported in the Census, which increases the value of Melbourne’s live music in 2017 from $1.43 billion to $1.7 billion.
Thanks to all of the artists, venues, industry workers and fans who contribute to our amazing live music industry. Here’s to another bumper year in 2019.
Read the full Melbourne Live Music Census 2017 Postscript here
The Victorian Government in partnership with Music Victoria announces a new women-only leadership program ‘Cultivate’ for industry professionals who wish to take the next step in their career
Music Victoria in partnership with the Victorian Government has announced the commencement of a new leadership program, ‘Cultivate’, aimed at mid-career and established women in the Victorian music industry who wish to further their leadership and management skills. Supported by the Victorian Government, the ‘Cultivate’ program aims to foster the development of some of the state’s key decision makers, business owners, and industry leaders within the music sector, by partnering them up with CEOs, senior role holders and experienced mentors to support and guide the advancement of their careers. Participants will also be engaged in personalised leadership training programs, group masterclasses and networking opportunities.
The ‘Cultivate’ Program is excited to be taking its first ever applicants for their 2019 pilot program intake. The program is open to Victorian residents who identify as a woman and currently hold leadership or management positions at their place of employment within the contemporary music sector. ‘Cultivate’ is a great opportunity for women who are already on the path to influential decision-making roles in music to be mentored by recognised industry leaders and professionals in a similar field. Successful applicants will attend prepared induction and launch sessions, master classes and one-on-one mentorship meetings to identify, plan and implement upskilling opportunities and key developmental areas.
If you're an artist manager, run your own music-based business, or work in a management or leadership position at a venue, festival, label, booking agency, PR company, music organisation, production company, etc and wish to build or strengthen professional networks, expand your knowledge, become an influential industry leader, implement change, and have a positive impact on the contemporary Victorian music sector then apply today!
Applications open now and close COB Monday 14 January 2019
Apply here.
It’s a big win for the City of Port Phillip’s live music community. Earlier this week local council member Andrew Bond announced the unanimous decision to create a new class of parking permit to allow musicians to park in loading zones outside live music venues while they load or unload equipment.
Cr Andrew Bond commented, "Port Phillip and in particular St Kilda is home to many live music venues. This small and simple change from Council to its parking regulations can help minimise one of the least enjoyable elements of being in a band, which is carrying heavy equipment, and drum kits from a distant car park to the venue."
"Live Music is an important part of the vibrant culture of St Kilda and this tiny change will hopefully make this live music culture just that little bit easier to incubate."
Port Phillip is home to prominent music venues such as Memo Music Hall, The Prince, The Fyrefly, Dogs Bar and The Vineyard all of which have had musicians struggle with legal parking close to the venue when trying to load their gear in.
Port Phillip is now the fourth council to implement this solution, but it was a long process in the making; music promoter Nick Haines explains “When I ran (unsuccessfully) for council of October in 2016, this was one of my election pledges so to work with council on the idea, particularly Councillor Bond was very nice. All 8 Councilors voted yes for the idea and it is nice to have a council united on the side of live music.”
St Kilda Live Music Committee president Suzi Dhol said that the original request from council was to provide each venue in the area with permits for bands to put on the dashboard. “The council will be now also be changing the loading zone signs in St Kilda to say ‘Loading Zone and Musicians’, which is very sweet,” Dhol said.
“The fact it was unanimous is a big plus, because to have everyone across the board support live music is a really big positive for us.”
Individual music venues will need to apply for the Musician Loading Permit, with the flexible permits able to be transferred between performers’ vehicles.
Most people don't realise how much money they can save with a Music Victoria membership. We offer discounts on a variety of services you will need for your music career including costs involved with recording, merch and touring. Find out more about the benefits for our members here.
Marketing and promotion |
ORIGINAL |
DISCOUNT |
| Publicity | $2,500 | $2,500 |
| Facebook, Instagram and YouTube advertising | $900 | $900 |
| Community Radio Ads (RRR, PBS, 2SER) | $1,020 | $1,020 |
| Sam Orchard Music video 1 day shoot (2 locations) | $1,200 | $1,080 |
| Rhea Caldwell Photography promotional photos (allow for 5 x retouched & supplied images) | $350 | $315 |
| Plakkit posters - Indoor distribution campaign - Melb CBD (cafes, record stores etc)
Print x 200 A3, Full Colour, 1 Design = $190 |
$430 | $387 |
| Plakkit posters - Outdoor distribution campaign - Melb CBD
Print x 100 A0, Full Colour, 1 Design = $650 |
$950 | $855 |
| Too Far Gone Screenprinting 1 colour print Gildan t-shirts x 220 | $1875.50 | $1688.50 |
| Implant Media Promo CDs X 100 | $149 | $134 |
| Website redesign - mates rates | $500 | $500 |
| Beat Magazine - 1/4 page ad | $330 | $264 |
| The Music - 1/4 page ad | $380 | $304 |
Project / production costs |
||
| Adam Dempsey Mastering for Vinyl and digital (12 songs) | $1,680 | $1,512 |
| Zenith Records Vinyl manufacturing costs (300 x 12" records) | $3,410 | $3,069 |
| Food and drink (recording days) | $300 | $300 |
| World of Music Guitar string sets (2 x $21.95) | $44 | $39.5 |
| 10 days studio hire at The Alamo | $5,500 | $4,950 |
| Postage of vinyl lacquers to vinyl plant - allowance approx | $50 | $50 |
| Instrument insurance ($10,000 cover) with Bluestone Insurance | $364 | $260 |
| Rehearsal studio hire 12 sessions at Bakehouse Studios | $900 | $810 |
Administration |
||
| Promo stock postage, telephone, internet | $220 | $220 |
Salaries, fees and on-costs |
||
| El Perro Productions Producer/Engineer/Mixing fee for 12 songs (Price can vary) | $18,000 | $16,200 |
| Additional guest musician fees (allow 4 guests @ $100/song) | $400 | $400 |
Touring |
||
| Virgin Australia flights (Return flight MEL-SYD x4)
*Potential further savings through Travel Beyond Booking Portal (for multi-date bookings) |
$840 | $840 |
| Domestic excess luggage Virgin Australia 64kg (3 additional pieces) | $310 | $0 |
| Van hire through Blue Groove Industries per week | $1,300 | $1,170 |
In-kind |
||
| Admin (musician’s call + set up - 40 hours @ $40/hour) | $1,600 | $1,600 |
| Graphic design for single/album tour poster art (6 hours at $60/hour) | $360 | $360 |
| Copywriting for bio and press releases (3 hours at $40/hr) | $120 | $120 |
Total Expenditure |
$41,883 |
$37,240 |
*Costs above are approx. and exc. gst
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That's a savings of over $4,500 on your next album release and tour.
It's a no-brainer. BECOME A MEMBER TODAY.