Vic Music Lovers Campaign To Change State Number Plate To 'The Live Music State'

Two Melbourne residents are so passionate about music and their state that they have launched a campaign to change the state's number plate to 'Victoria — The Live Music State'.

Venue owner and booker James Young and writer Kaye Blum first met at the 2014 Face The Music Conference in Melbourne where Young brought up the idea and was later approached by Blum to consider making it happen. 

Young explained in a press statement he initially thought Blum was kidding about her proposition.

"But then I realised she was totally serious! I was pleased to see that someone was paying attention and was keen to really make this happen."

The concept was brought up after Young witnessed first-hand the ways in which cities around the world express their passion for music and he believes Melbourne should follow suit.

"When I was travelling through Austin, they had bands at the airport, so you knew you were in a music city. Berlin has its own music-themed ‘walk and don’t walk’ symbol at crossings. Melbourne needs a defining feature and our Victorian number plate is it!"

An online petition has now been set up with the hopes that it will garner enough signatures to take to Premier Daniel Andrews, who has promised in the past to commit $22.2 million to the Victorian music industry over four years.

Speaking to theMusic Blum said that Melbourne often gets credit but the state as a whole deserves a bigger wrap. 

"The general term that we keep hearing about our live music scene is focussed on Melbourne as Australia's live music capital," Blum said.

"But naming Victoria as the live music state is more inclusive of regional areas that also contribute enormously to the strength of our amazing music industry."

Having lived in many places around the world for extended periods of time including Sydney and London, Blum said that the live music scene was what made her always want to come back to Victoria. 

"I'm extremely passionate about it and I really believe having this slogan on our number plates will help highlight a really positive message to visitors and make locals really proud to live here."

To sign the petition, head to the campaign website now.