More Venues & Cheaper Ticket Prices: Findings From The Annual Australian Live Music Census

Winarch Group has shared its annual Australian Live Music Census, finding that the lack of venue options, excess booking fees and expensive concert tickets, long queues and “inadequately” designed music venues are frustrating concertgoers across the country.

According to the study, only a “small portion” of punters believe that the venues and infrastructure around them for live music are sufficient.

In the second annual Australian Live Music Census, conducted for Winarch Group (which recently rebranded) by Pure Profile, 1,001 participants aged 18-24 to 65+ issued responses.

Approximately 6% of the participants surveyed “strongly agreed” that their area has sufficient live music venues. A further 37% of punters “agreed” with the statement, which means that 43% of participants feel they have adequate live music venues in their area. 24% of punters “disagreed” with the statement, and another 7% “strongly disagreed”. The remaining 26% of participants responded neutrally.

While many punters don’t believe their area has adequate live music infrastructure, live music remains incredibly popular among those surveyed.

33% of punters said they’re “very likely” to attend a live music event in the next six months; 31% are “somewhat likely,” and 21% are “unsure” of their live music plans. Just 15% of those surveyed have “minimal intention” of going to a gig within the next year.

Detailing peoples’ live music attendance habits, 32% of punters said they attend a gig once every few years, while 68% shared that they attend shows more regularly. Some of those stats include attending gigs 1-3 times a year (31%), 4-11 times a year (15%), 1-2 times a month (11%), 3-4 times a month (6%), once a week (4%), and more than once a week (1%).

When asked, “What would encourage you to see more live music?” 74% of respondents said cheaper ticket prices would get them through the door more often. Booking fees are also a concern, with 41% of participants describing them as an issue.

50% of respondents, meanwhile, said that having venues closer to their homes would get them to more shows; people outside the capital cities strongly agreed with that sentiment. Aside from proximity to venues, punters also seek ease of travel, with 32% of respondents stating that they’d go to gigs more often with better transport options. Inadequate transport is a common concern for those aged 18-24, with 48% of that age group listing it as a concern.

Regionally, the punters most frustrated by the lack of transport options came from Tasmania (83%), followed by regional Western Australia (50%), regional NSW (41%), regional Queensland (35%), regional Victoria (30%), and regional South Australia (27%).

When punters were at the gig, they responded that toilet queues were the biggest frustration (59%), with women listing it as a bigger concern than men (67% to 50%).

Many participants also indicated that they’re not seeing many gigs from local artists.

22% of respondents admitted they never attended shows by Australian artists or bands. Meanwhile, 53% see a local act between one and three times a year, and 11% go more frequently (four to 11 times per year).

While there are some negatives there, sentiment about live music in Australia is overwhelmingly positive.

54% of respondents agreed with the statement: “The memories I make at live music events will last a lifetime.” Another 23% “strongly agreed.”

In terms of what participants are enjoying, 60% are going to indoor ticketed venues, 56% attend free shows, 39% enjoy outdoor ticketed events, 33% attend one-day music festivals, and 14% attend multi-day music festivals.

Pop music is the most popular genre amongst participants (57%), followed by rock (54%), musical theatre (34%), country (31%), hip-hop (25%), jazz/blues (23%), classical (23%), folk and traditional (21%), EDM (17%), and punk/metal (13%).

Winarch Group Founder Paul Lambess said of this year’s Australian  Live Music Census: “Understanding the priorities, perceptions and preferences of Australians when it comes to live music is key to ensuring we have a thriving local industry.

“The Winarch Group Australian Live Music Census paints a picture of an Australia that knows what it wants – more purpose-built live music venues, fewer issues with accessibility and transport, and the opportunity to create more lifetime memories.”

Lambess added, “We need more people acting on this positive intent and sentiment and getting out there and seeing more shows across the capital cities and our arts-loving regions. The data in this second annual Winarch Group Australian Live Music Census will help inform venue owners, promoters, policymakers and key stakeholders to ensure they’re prioritising what people want and need from this culture-defining industry.”