Venue Promoters Call Bullshit On Claims Tinder Is Killing Live Music In Aus

A number of venue promoters from bars and clubs in Australia have spoken out and dismissed Melbourne’s Cherry Bar owner James Young’s claims that dating apps are ruining the appeal of live music in the country.

Speaking exclusively to theMusic, fellow Melbourne promoter Jon Perring of local venue The Tote, questioned the argument that "Tinder is killing off clubs and pubs all over Melbourne and Australia."

"Where's the evidence? Doesn't seem to line up with my experience of the world, unless he knows something I don't know," Perring said.

"The whole market's down a bit at the moment, I think across the board for hospitality. I think everyone is feeling it. People look for reasons but seems a bit simplistic to blame Tinder."

Meanwhile, promoter of Brunswick's Howler bar, Nick Casey believes that Tinder may in fact be helping to raise revenue for music venues.

"If anything, it seems like the only successful thing Tinder has done is raise revenue on slower nights, be it a Monday or a Tuesday," Casey explained.

"To be honest, I cant really say it's made a dint… I don't think its any one industry that's affecting live music sales."

Sydney venue promoter of Frankie's Pizza Bar, Jordan Mcdonald, says there is no denying that Tinder has brought a new influence into clubs and bars, but in no way has it dented the industry.

"It's definitely brought a new dimension into our joints but it hasn't affected numbers through the door, that's for sure," he said.

"If anything you can just spot them from a mile away just sitting there at the bar waiting for their date to arrive."

Mcdonald calmed the waters by insisting that Sydney and Melbourne's nightlife is very different so the effects could be entirely different.

"I can’t speak for [Young's] venue and the climate of fucking night culture and shit in Melbourne has traditionally always been a little bit different to that of Sydney but it's not an effect that we're feeling," Mcdonald said.

"Anyone who needs an app to get their dick sucked I don't want in my bar anyway."

Adding to this, it should be noted that a Live Music Industry report released last week indicated that the country's live music scene is worth $15.7 billion a year, a figure that is more in value than that of other countries, including the US, Canada and the UK.