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???? As the recent lockdown continues, Music Victoria would like to hear your story about how it has impacted your career as a music industry worker.
We at Music Victoria are keen to get a sense of who in the music scene has missed out on the Victorian Government's $250 million Circuit Breaker Business Support Package and the real cost of lockdown on our industry before any offset or government support is applied.

Take our short survey here and be heard.

Dear Members and the Music Community,

While many of you may already be across this (because you are so directly impacted by it), I am writing to clarify the present situation for Music in Victoria.

Firstly, New COVIDSafe Settings introduced on Friday 9th April have had little to no positive impact on our industry.

While the first line of the announcement may read that we are back to 100% of total capacity - the devil is in the detail.

We have communicated our industry's grave concerns around these restrictions to the Department of Health (DH), and disappointingly, they have not yet introduced any changes to remedy the situation. We are continuing to have these discussions with them, in order to bring about the changes our live industry needs to be operating at optimum levels.

We want to make the current situation clear to those inside the industry and to those who just care about music more generally.
We share your absolute and total frustration with the current situation and are working to do all that we can to make it change.

Our recent/current work includes:

Here's how you can help:

We're in this together and we're fighting for you.

Simone Schinkel (CEO) and the team at Music Victoria

The Victorian Government has announced further easing to restrictions for seated venues and the return to offices, which came into effect from 11:59pm Friday 9 April. You can read the Minister for Health's full statement on the changes here.

The key change for the creative industries is as follows:

If you have submitted an application to the Public Events Framework (PEF), please note the following:

The following restrictions enacted Friday 26 March are unchanged and will remain in effect:

 

This morning, Acting Premier James Merlino announced that there will be some easing of restrictions that will come into play at 6pm on Friday 26 March.

For the music sector this means:

While there are some things to celebrate here, like the alleviation of dancefloor-specific quotients, we realise there are significant issues still to be addressed. For most non-seated venues the increase to 75% capacity is meaningless so long as the 1 per 2sqm density quotient remains in place. Music Victoria will be meeting with representatives from DHHS and State Government this week to discuss these issues and the ongoing struggles faced by the music sector.

For the full story on the statewide changes to restrictions, click here.

This morning's announcement from Daniel Andrews MP revealed that the 5 day circuit breaker action had the desired impact on COVID19 tracking and tracing, allowing an easing of most of the restrictions in Victoria, getting us back to our COVIDSafe Summer.

From 11:59pm tonight, we will largely return to the previous rules. However, there are some restrictions that impact the music industry, including entertainment venues, with additional limits on crowd sizes will be in place.

Seated Entertainment Venues (indoors and outdoors): Open, for indoor spaces the patron cap is 50% of seated capacity for a maximum of 300 per space. Over 300 patrons must operate under the Public Events Framework. Density quotient of 1 per 2 sqm in foyers, bars, bathrooms etc when using electronic record keeping. In venues not using electronic records a density quotient of 1 per 4 sqm applies. Venues with capacity of greater than 500 patrons must publish a COVIDSafe Plan online. For outdoor spaces the patron cap is 75% of seated capacity. Arrangements for capacity over 1000 are determined on an individual basis under the Public Events Framework.

Indoor non-seated Venues (such as galleries): Open, up to 50 per cent total capacity with maximum patron cap of 300 people per space. Density quotient of 1 per 2sqm when using electronic record keeping. In venues not using electronic record a density quotient of 1 per 4 sqm applies. Venues with capacity of greater than 500 patrons must publish a COVIDSafe Plan online. Over 300 patrons must operate under the Public Events Framework.

Outdoor non-seated entertainment venues (such as Zoos, live museums): Open, patron cap is 75 per cent of occupancy limit. Density quotient of 1 per 2sqm when using electronic record keeping. In venues not using electronic record a density quotient of 1 per 4 sqm applies. Group limits removed. Indoor spaces at outdoor venues open, subject to restrictions relevant to the space (e.g. hospitality or retail). Venues with capacity of greater than 500 patrons must publish a COVIDSafe Plan online. Venues over 1000 must operate under the Public Events Framework.

Nightclubs: Open, standing service permitted. Density quotient of 1 per 4sqm on a dancefloor up to a maximum of 50 people. Density quotient of 1 per 2sqm elsewhere in the venue, with no maximum patron limit. Electronic record keeping required.

Creative arts facilities (eg studios and rehearsal spaces): No patron caps with a density quotient of 1 per 2sqm, subject to use of electronic record keeping.

IMPORTANT: Make sure you keep your masks on - they're required everywhere indoors except at home, including at pubs or music venues.
Masks will also be required outside if you can’t physically distance from others.

Read the full list of restrictions here: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/statement-premier-86

Pictured: Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever perform at Music Victoria Awards 2020
Photo by Martin Philbey

 

UPDATED FEBRUARY 3, 2021

Here's an overview of what the COVIDSafe Summer Restrictions step means for the Victorian cultural sector. For further information please see the Arts and Entertainment Services Sector Guidance from the Victorian Government.

For updated information regarding face masks, click here.

To save you time we've summarised how the new restrictions relate to music:

Audiences

Musicians

Live Music Venues (e.g. pubs/clubs/hospitality)

*density quotients should be calculated per room

Indoor Seated Venues (e.g. theatres/music halls)

Outdoor Venues (e.g. amphitheatres)

Rehearsal and Recording Studios

Festival and Events

For sector guidance for arts and entertainment services businesses within Victoria, click here.

Full Summary of COVIDSafe Summer restrictions from 11:59pm 6 December 2020

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us on info@musicvictoria.com.au

 

See the full statement from the premier below which was delivered on December 6:

2020 has seen us embrace a new vocabulary.

We’ve become experts on “Reff rates” and “roadmaps” – on following the rules and sticking to restrictions.

Week after week, change and change – we adapted, and readapted. But we did it, because it meant keeping our state safe.

Until we have a vaccine – and even then, until we have a widely distributed vaccine – some aspects of these rules and restrictions must continue to be part of our reality.

At the same time, and because of the efforts of every Victorian, we’re able to end this year with far fewer limits on what we can and can’t do.

Our new “COVIDSafe Summer” will be in place until at least the end of January, giving Victorians a bit more certainty about what the next couple of months will look like.

These are the restrictions that will see us through the summer months – and living as normally as we can until we get a greater sense of what the rest of 2021 will look like.

Under the changes, and from tonight at 11:59pm, masks will only be required in a limited number of places: on public transport, in rideshare vehicles and taxis, in some retail settings including indoor shopping centres, supermarkets, department stores and indoor markets.

While masks are no longer mandated in most circumstances, the evidence is clear, wearing a face-covering makes a real difference in slowing the spread of the virus – so masks continue to be recommended indoors or outdoors when distancing can’t be maintained.

As has been previously announced, Victorians will be able to host up to 30 people in their home. Outdoor gatherings in public places – the beach, the park – can increase to 100.

Density limits in our pubs, restaurants and cafes will shift to 1 person per 2sq metres for both indoors and outdoors with no other cap. The use of electronic record keeping – a QR code – will be mandatory.

And for small operations, there’ll be no density limits if the patron number is under 25.

For retail and beauty services, businesses will be able to move to 1 person per 2sq metres – if they also introduce electronic record keeping. For businesses where that’s just not possible, the existing density limits will continue to apply.

The cap for funerals and weddings will also be removed, subject to a new density limit of 1 person per 2sq metres. For those who want to dance on their special day – or maybe even the Nutbush – dancefloors will be able to host up to 50 people, with a density of 1 person per 4sqm.

The same rules will apply to nightclubs. But remember, the health advice still stands: no hugs, no handshakes and if you’re feeling sick, you need to get tested and stay home.

The same new density limits will apply for community facilities, like our libraries, RSLs, and community halls.

In gyms, the density limit will move to 1 per 4sq metres – with exercise classes limited to 50 indoors and 100 outdoors.

And more relaxed restrictions for our entertainment venues will see more Victorians enjoying everything that makes us the cultural capital of Australia.

For those sick of only seeing their colleagues in a square on the screen, we’ll be able to move to a 50 per cent return for office workers by 11 January, after considering the public health advice at the time. For the Victorian public service, up to 25 per cent will be able to return to the office from 11 January, moving up to 50 per cent on 8 February.

Details of further changes will be made available online.

As always, this won’t be everything for everyone. But these are the careful steps we can take as we continue to protect our state and everything we’re built.

Victoria, enjoy your summer.

You’ve earned it.

On Sunday 22 November, Victoria entered into it's Last Step in the Roadmap for reopening. Here's a brief overview of what this step means for the Victorian music sector (Click here for a comprehensive list of current restrictions for the entertainment and culture sector):

Audiences

Musicians

Live Music Venues (e.g. pubs/clubs/hospitality)

The total of indoor and outdoor can’t exceed 300pp and the 200m2 is based on the publicly available space

Indoor Venues (e.g. theatres/music halls)

Outdoor Venues

Rehearsal and Recording Studios

Festival and Events

Full Summary of Last Step restrictions from 11.59pm 22 November 2020 (PDF)

 

See the full statement from the premier below which was delivered on November 22:

Three months ago, Victoria had 4293 active cases. Today we have one.

It’s an incredible achievement. And the clearest evidence there is of our determination to not only get on top of this virus – but to squash it.

Back then, the goal – the hope – was something a little more ‘normal’ for Christmas.

Today, because of the efforts of every Victorian, that’s exactly what we’ve been able to achieve.

For those keen to get on and plan how many seats there’ll be around the table, I won’t waste another second.

Today we can confirm you’ll be able to host up to 30 people in your home for Christmas Day. Babies under 12 months won’t count towards the cap.

This change will come into effect from 11.59pm, 13 December, just in time for catch-ups, and Christmas barbies – and for our Jewish communities, the closing days of Hanukkah.

We’re also able to confirm some more immediate changes.

From 11:59pm tonight, the number of visitors to your home will increase from two to 15 per day.

That can be split across different times – ten for lunch, and five for dinner – as long as people are sticking to a total of 15.

Outdoor gatherings in a public place – the park, the beach – will increase to 50.

For those couples who’ve had to delay their special day, weddings will increase to 150 people. The same number will apply to funerals and religious ceremonies indoors.

There’ll be changes for our hospitality sector too.

For smaller venues, the density limit will change to one person for every two square metres – up to 50 customers. QR code record keeping will be mandatory. For bigger venues, the density limit will stay the same, but the cap will increase to 150. Total venue capacity will also rise to 300.

Cinemas, galleries and museums will also be able to host up to 150 people indoors.

And in good news for community clubs, contact and non-contact sports can begin for adults as well as kids – 150 people indoors with a group size of up to 20 and 500 outdoors with groups of up to 50.

Organisers will also be able to apply to host a public event. Different requirements and rules will need to apply, depending on whether it’s a school fete or a major sporting match.

We’re also able to begin a phased approach for staff heading back to the office. From 30 November, up to 25 per cent of workers will be able to attend onsite.

I want to be clear though – unless you’re one of those people nominated by your employer – you need to keep working from home.

We're also making some changes to the rules around masks.

In short, you’ll still need to wear one when you’re indoors and on public transport – and where you can’t keep your distance.

But if you’re outdoors and you can keep a safe distance, masks will no longer be mandatory.

For example, you’ll still need to keep your mask on if you’re at a busy outdoor market – or in line for a snag at your local Bunnings.

If you’re headed for a quiet stroll around the neighbourhood, you won’t need to wear a mask – but you will need to carry one, in case the situation changes.

I know for some people, they’ll think this is too slow and still too restrictive.

But the point is, masks are a small sacrifice that help keep all of us safe.

And as we’ve been reminded so recently, all it takes is one case before you’ve got a much bigger outbreak.

We’ll have more to say about what a “COVIDSafe Summer” will look like in the next few weeks – and in line with what our public health experts are telling us is safe.

For now, though, I want to thank Victorians.

Getting here was by no means guaranteed. But we did it. You did it.

It’s been a long, hard winter.

Now, it’s time to enjoy the sun.

--The Hon Daniel Andrews MP, Premier

Dear members and subscribers,

It was music to Victoria’s ears when Premier Dan Andrews this week announced ‘’Live Music is back’’.

So what exactly does this mean? It’s a gradual opening, and they are small steps, but if the numbers stay down, we are hopeful that more and more musicians will be able to return to rehearse, record, live stream, and perform - initially to small outdoor audiences, and then increasing to larger outdoor events and indoor shows.

Music Victoria has been consulting with various government departments on the easing of restrictions, and will continue to advocate for the sector in the lead up to the Premier’s next announcement regarding the lifting of restrictions on November 8. We have been also liaising with the Environmental Protection Agency and councils on working closely with the venues and musicians to establish good practice guidelines and messaging to encourage co-operation and minimalise adverse amenity.

Clearly live music is part of the State Government’s plan for the state’s recovery, but it’s important to remember that we have a responsibility to ensure we consider residents and the rest of the community – so consult your council and neighbours, don’t play too late, and put away the Marshall stack and downsize your equipment for the initial outdoor shows performing to small crowds.

Here’s a summary of the new rules:

- Live seated outdoor shows can take place in hospitality venues such as pubs, bars and restaurants in metro Melbourne (50) and regional Victoria (70). Band members must be included in the venue cap.

- Venues don’t have to serve food with the live music

- If you have an existing liquor license and are planning on hosting outdoor events, you need to apply through your council first, and then apply for a Temporary Limited Licence through the VCGLR

- Musicians need to stand 2 metres apart on stage

- Performers need to be 5 metres from the audience

- Band members (except singers and woodwind and brass instrumentalists) must wear a face mask while they perform

- Nightclubs can open for seated service of food or beverages only

- You can live-stream from a venue but only essential people can be on site – ie band members, filming crew and a venue representative with the keys to the building

- You can rehearse and record at studios, but must adhere to 1 per 4 square metre distancing requirements (so smaller bands in the smaller rooms) - ensure you have a COVIDSafe plan

- Set building can take place, but you need to comply with construction guidelines

- You can attend an outdoor music lesson, class or practice with up to ten people

Keep an eye out on Music Victoria and Creative Victoria websites for further updates as they come to hand.
Additional official guidance can be found here and here.

The Premier has just announced the roadmap to COVID Normal for regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne.
Dispiriting news for the live music sector:
Regarding live music, restricted outdoor shows can’t happen until there’s an average of less than five new cases; no indoor shows until there’s no new cases for at least 14 days.
Music Victoria will be pushing for streamed shows and studio work to be one of the permitted industries from September 28 so artists and producers can derive an income.
Read the statement from the Premier: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/statement-from-premier
Roadmap information here: https://www.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-restrictions-roadmaps

Music Victoria are seeking expressions of interest from Victorian music industry experts to join a voluntary panel.

The contemporary music industry is facing its greatest crisis and the impacts of Covid-19 are likely to last well into 2021. The panel is being established to assist Music Victoria in helping the industry chart its way out of the crisis.

We are seeking panellists with entrepreneurial flair, strategic vision and ideas about how the Victorian industry can rebuild better and address previous broken systems.

If you work in the music industry, be it the live or recorded sector, or specialise in areas such as technology or community engagement, we would love to hear from you.

Terms of reference:

The role of the panel will include:

Please send your applications, consisting of a bio and 200 word letter about what you will offer the panel, to James@musicvictoria.com.au by August 28.

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