From 2017 to 2019, there was a 48% growth in the economic contribution made by live music across Victoria ($1.72b to $2.55b), where most of the growth was identified at regional Victoria box offices (12% growth a year in regional, compared to 10.5% growth in metropolitan areas).
In 2019 the data in the census reveals that:
When comparing 2019 with 2020-21, it is inevitable that the census data would show large reductions, including:
“The insights from our census provide a great benchmark. This is the first time we have access to whole-of-state data and findings that will help guide the potential and growth trajectory for our live music industry,” said Schinkel.
“Victoria is renowned for its world-famous live music scene. As such, our priority is to secure support, partnerships, resources and investment that enhance and build the Victorian live music sector to make it even better,” said Schinkel.
Looking at 2023, Simone Schinkel, Music Victoria CEO, said the Victorian live music industry is still in unchartered waters.
“It’s no surprise that we are still managing the ripples of the pandemic. We have a three-year back log of events, and significant government investment bolstering us up. We have not yet settled into a new normal, and it’s going to take ongoing long-term strategic planning, commitment and support to reach the full potential, that we were on track to achieving!
Music Victoria is creating solid partnerships for change, including:
Music Victoria also welcomed the Andrew’s Labor government commitments at the recent election, which align strongly with the recommendations in the census. These include:
“Over the last three years, we seen bands broken up, workers leave the industry, fan networks disperse and venues suffer major losses. We must not underestimate the challenges ahead.
However, given the consistent and significant growth in revenue and attendance between 2014 and 2019, there is every reason to suggest that Victoria’s live music sector can be reinvigorated.
Victoria’s live music recovery requires significant commitment and cooperation, which will be guided by the findings in our census. It will inspire action to make Victorian live music even better,” explained Schinkel.
The census data is available at here.
The Far East Music Festival will take place on the wilderness coast in the small and remote coastal township of Mallacoota in Victoria on the Easter weekend, April 7-9 2023.This fledgling festival, born out of the ashes of a black summer, brings forth the green shoots of recovery and calls out to the healing spirit within us all.
Project partner and Songlines Music Aboriginal Corporation Co-CEO, Robbie Bundle says:
“The entire human family needs nurturing and music is the channel for that. We are living through challenging times, particularly for young people.Their voices need to be heard. They need to be seen and recognised.The beauty of the natural environment in Far East Gippsland has always been personified by the people who reside there, and how they protect the Country they live in–expressed so eloquently over many years through music, art and culture.”
The Festival will feature touring artists along with local and regional acts and an array of activities and workshops to inspire participation and connection—including the return of the legendary percussion street parade, a retro teams board riders comp, nature-based activities, creative workshops, dedicated wellbeing space, food vans and so much more. To find out how to be part of this unique festival experience, check out the full program.
Far East Music Recovery Steering Group said:‘Music and gathering together is healing. Let the gentleness of healing through connection and the truth this speaks to unite us all.’
The Festival will feature touring artists along with local and regional acts and an array of activities and workshops to inspire participation and connection—including the return of the legendary percussion street parade, a retro teams board riders comp, nature-based activities, creative workshops, dedicated wellbeing space, food vans and so much more. To find out how to be part of this unique festival experience, check out the full program.
Far East Music Recovery Steering Group said:‘Music and gathering together is healing. Let the gentleness of healing through connection and the truth this speaks to unite us all.’
This live music workshop will give local musicians, bands, venues and live music businesses the opportunity to participate in discussions about what a thriving live music scene looks like for the local area. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with industry leaders and council representatives.
The event will feature an array of panellists that understand the different challenges that regional communities face in comparison to their metropolitan counter parts. With speakers who will be representing both artists and venues, the event aims to create connections between these and foster relationships to help further the industry in the local area.
If you or anyone you know would like to get a head start on their creative journey, then RSVP now!
Companion Cards: Music Victoria events accept and welcome Companion Cardholders and their Companions. Simply RSVP for two tickets.
Access: If you have any access requirements, email kiwat@musicvictoria.com.au
Demographics & Identity questions: For more information about our demographics and identity questions in the registration process, please head to: musicvictoria.com.au/demographics-and-identity
Music Victoria acknowledges the Traditional Owners, the Wurundjeri People and the Gunditjamara People, on whose unceded land we advocate, support and celebrate on. We pay our deep respects to Elders past and present, and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and communities. We acknowledge them as the first artists, the first musicians, and the first creators of culture. We deeply respect the role that music and songlines play in the continuation of their culture for the past 60,000+ years.
Let’s be real… COVID sucks. But we wanted to give you the chance to reach out and ask us questions. Can you rehearse? When can you tour? Do you need to get vaccinated? When is our freedom day?
Watch the video of our Where To From Here Information Session below where we answer all your questions around the roadmap.
Background:
Business Victoria has opened round two of the Live Performance Support Program (Presenters) for events affected by recent lockdowns and health restrictions. Victorian event presenters, including producers, promoters, venue owners and artists who promote their own shows, are encouraged to apply.
If you’re thinking about applying for the program under the presenter stream, this free online information session is for you.
This session will cover:
• changes from the last round of funding
• program guidelines, including eligibility and how to apply
• funding amounts available ($7000 or $5000 for one event, and a further $5000 for a second event)
• any questions you have.
We received great feedback from our last round of info sessions and we hope these next sessions help many more of you submit funding applications!
Please RSVP your attendance and don’t exclude yourself.
Find out more about the Live Performance Support Program (Presenters) here.
If you’re thinking about applying for the program, this free online information session is for you!
The Victorian government updated this program to assist a wider range of affected event businesses and workers. We’ll go through the program changes, the application process and answer any questions you may have.
Some notable program changes that we’ll cover include:
• possible funding for missed gigs from Lockdown #5 if you missed out on the last round of applications
• explanations around the total support cap of $4000 cap and the $200 -$500 per event cap
• eligibility criteria and deadlines
We received great feedback from our last round of info sessions and we hope these next sessions help many more of you submit funding applications!
Please RSVP your attendance and don’t exclude yourself.
Find out more about the Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers) here.
Background:
Business Victoria has opened round two of the Live Performance Support Program (Presenters) for events affected by recent lockdowns and health restrictions. Victorian event presenters, including producers, promoters, venue owners and artists who promote their own shows, are encouraged to apply.
If you’re thinking about applying for the program under the presenter stream, this free online information session is for you.
This session will cover:
• changes from the last round of funding
• program guidelines, including eligibility and how to apply
• funding amounts available ($7000 or $5000 for one event, and a further $5000 for a second event)
• any questions you have.
We received great feedback from our last round of info sessions and we hope these next sessions help many more of you submit funding applications!
Please RSVP your attendance and don’t exclude yourself.
Find out more about the Live Performance Support Program (Presenters) here.
The Victorian Government is providing more support for live performance events that have been cancelled due to the recent coronavirus restrictions.
The Victorian government updated this program in response to industry feedback and to assist a wider range of affected event businesses and workers.
For eligibility details and to apply, visit business.vic.gov.au. Applications close on Wednesday, 8 September 2021.
If you’re thinking about applying for Business Victoria's Live Performance Support Program Round Two, register for one of our free online information sessions! We'll cover changes from the last round of funding, program guidelines (including eligibility and how to apply) and answer all your questions.
REGISTER FOR THE SUPPLIER STREAM
Session 1: 20 August at 2pm
Session 2 : 3 September at 2pm
REGISTER FOR THE PRESENTER STREAM
Session 1: 20 August at 4pm
Session 2: 3 September at 4pm
To celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the SLAM (Save Live Australia's Music) rally, Music Victoria speaks to those who were there at the frontline about their memories of the time and their observations over the passing years.
It's a little-known fact that Melbourne musician Jade Imagine helped spearhead the 2010 rally to save The Tote. This rally precipitated the huge SLAM rally that followed. Jade fills us in...
1. What was your involvement in the live music lobbying and protests of 2010?
Around the time when we heard that The Tote was going to close, I was living above and running a music rehearsal space on Johnston Street in Collingwood with my bandmate at the time, Sarah Phelan. We could just see The Tote out of our bedroom window (lol yes, our bedroom - we shared a bedroom - divided down the middle by a couple of clothes racks. Anyway that’s off-topic…).
I remember us talking about how rattled we both felt, reflecting on how important this venue had been to 'cut our teeth' playing music and how integral to the DIY scene it was. So we got on Facebook and created an event titled “Save The Tote - Rally” or something to that effect.
We published the event and went on with our day. Later on we checked back to see how the event was going and there were something like 5000 people who’d clicked to attend the rally. Things escalated pretty quickly from there. I remember getting a phone call from Paris Martine saying we should start a discussion with the local police to ensure (and reassure) that it was going to be a peaceful protest.
2. Why did you get involved?
I just didn’t want The Tote to close - I couldn’t picture Melbourne without it! Honestly, never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that things would have come as far as they have. Evidently it was and still is something the entire community felt very strongly about!
3. Do you have any specific memories that you hold dear from that time? What are they?
I remember being ushered inside The Tote whilst the rally was in full force outside. It was just before Bruce Milne made a speech addressing the crowd through a megaphone from the second floor. I remember peering out of the office window upstairs at all the hundreds of people outside. It felt so special to see that many people showing just how much they cared about this single venue.
4. What lasting changes/impact do you think these events had on the live music scene in Melbourne?
Well, for one, keeping the doors open at The Tote for so many more amazing shows to take place. Plus the conception of SLAM; such an incredible organisation to have come out of this event and which has helped to continue the conversation about live music, venues and the challenges that all can face within the music industry.
5. Do you have any further comments whilst reflecting?
Just about how much I respect Quincy and Helen from Bakehouse for seeing an opportunity to take things further and create SLAM (Save Live Australian Music). That was a lot of work for them considering they were running their own business! Pats on backs all round.
To celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the SLAM (Save Live Australia's Music) rally, Music Victoria speaks to those who were there at the frontline about their memories of the time and their observations over the passing years.
Amanda Palmer, the band booker at the Tote in 2010, gives us her account of the events...
1. What was your involvement in the live music lobbying and protests of 2010?
I was the band booker at the Tote when we announced the closure of the venue in January 2010. This announcement led to a week of outpouring of support, spontaneous protests and much media attention in Melbourne and culminated with the ‘Last Drinks’ gig that I put together to see the venue out with a bang. These events were the catalyst for the SLAM group to form and begin planning the SLAM rally. Once the Tote closed, I mostly worked on wrap up of the Tote but I attended initial SLAM meetings and helped in promoting the Fair Go 4 Live Music petition and upcoming SLAM rally.
2. Why did you get involved?
I got involved because I was right in the middle of it. The Tote was closing down, I was losing my dream job, Tote staff were about to become unemployed, Bruce and James were losing their business and we were being directly affected by one-size-fits-all government policy. The Tote is open now, but at the time, we weren’t certain it was going to reopen. The forced closure of the Tote not only meant losing our jobs but it was a direct assault on our lives, culture and community. It was being taken away from us and I was devastated and angry.
3. Do you have any specific memories that you hold dear from that time? What are they?
There are so many! Too many for just one paragraph anyway.
I think some people might just remember that time as being one big party, but as Tote staff, we were all extremely busy. It was hard, emotional, frantic and pressured. I do remember being blown away when I looked out of the window of the Tote booking office seeing a couple of thousand people – who’d mobilised in just a few hours - protesting on the street below. Even though it was too late for the Tote then, these mini protests helped to inspire the larger SLAM protest less than a month later. I remember feeling hopeful marching alongside 20,000 others at the SLAM rally – that this might change things for other venues in similar circumstances. I guess in a way the thing I hold most dearly isn’t really a specific memory, it was more about feeling like I was part of a community that collectively had the power to effect change.
4. What lasting changes/impact do you think these events had on the live music scene in Melbourne?
I think these events shook a lot of people from their complacency of live music and small venues. It helped legitimise live music as one of Melbourne’s economic assets. Before these events we didn’t have SLAM or Music Victoria – they formed because of these events to advocate on behalf of music issues.
I think this being the 10 year anniversary, is as good as any time to say a huge thank you to Helen and Quincy and everyone else at these organisations and behind the scenes for all of the work you have done and all of the work you continue to do. Cheers to all of you.