There's A New Industry Body Representing Live Music Businesses

Today sees the launch of the Australian Live Music Business Council (ALMBC), a new industry body to represent "the interests of small to medium Australian music enterprises and the thousands of live music jobs they underpin". 

"ALMBC is a national music industry association led by Australian business owners to benefit the long-term sustainability and value of Australian contemporary music," reads a statement from the group. 

"The ALMBC provides focused advocacy for thousands of Australian owned small businesses and sole traders that support Australian music in public performance places, and create tens of thousands of Australian jobs in the creative economy."

The council is currently headed up by an interim board, with Select Music's Stephen Wade holding the interim chair position. Wade is joined by members of Architects of Entertainment, ALH Group, EMC, Oztix, Untitled Group and more on the steering committee. 

“COVID has shown just how important a collective approach is in times of crisis and the Australian Live Music Business Council fills that gap, providing for the first time, a platform to help galvanise our passion to work in this amazing industry," said Wade.

"The formation of the ALMBC now gives a coordinated voice to the thousands of small and medium businesses working at the coalface of Australia’s essential night economy, representing the long-tail of shows, venues and events that underpin Australian commerce and culture.”

“These businesses are the real engine room of the live music economy, and with revenue dropping to zero for many, they face significant commercial challenges for the foreseeable future," he continued. 

“We acknowledge the Federal Government’s recognition that the creative economy has been hit hard by COVID-19. Whilst we have questions about the composition and administration of JobMaker, funding alone is not the only commercial barrier our sector faces. 

"As just one example, we are extremely concerned about whether our members will be able to secure insurance coverage for upcoming live shows, something that could be a real showstopper when the industry is just starting to get back on the road."

"Australia's live music scene is abundant in amazing artists, bands and DJs and behind every one of them is an incredible amount of people power that promotes and supports their careers," added steering committee member Jane Slingo. 

"ALMBC provides advocacy for the small to medium enterprises that have lacked representation during a time when our collective voice needs to be heard the most. This part of the music sector is made up of thousands of passionate people and it's our hope that they can direct some of this energy to an organisation designed to safeguard their commercial future."

Artist Amy Shark has also thrown her support behind the launch of ALMBC, saying “The ALMBC is an exciting initiative. 

"It’s great to see an organisation supporting vital roles that are really essential to nurture and keep artist careers like mine on the road," said Shark. 

"If the venue doesn’t exist, the tickets don’t exist, the food van doesn’t exist, the security doesn’t exist and the marketing doesn’t exist, so I wholeheartedly support the foundation of this new organisation, especially knowing it will be representing Australian companies and Australian jobs.”

Membership is open to Australian businesses operating in the live music sector. 

ALMBC will be waiving joining fees for the first six months, encouraging businesses and sole traders who would like to be a part to head along to their website here.

See the full list of steering committee members below. 

Australian Live Music Business Council Steering Committee

Alex Paioff, Fraser Johnson, Co-Founders, MITP Agency – Digital Marketing Agency / Live Music Venue Owners (WA)

Brian ‘Smash’ Chladil, Stuart Field, Directors/Co-Founders, Oztix – Ticketing (National)

Craig Lock, Director, 5/4 Entertainment – Live Venues/Promoter/Manager (SA)

Fred Leone, Artist and Producer, Project Manager Wunungu Awara  (QLD)

Haydn Johnston, Co-Founder, Architects of Entertainment – Production (NSW)

Jane Slingo, Director, Electronic Music Conference – DJs/Electronic Music/Manager (NSW)

Nick Greco, Director/Co-Founder, Untitled Group – Promoter/Manager/Agent (VIC)

Ross Mcpherson, Director/Co-Founder, Macro Music – Promoter/Manager/Live Venues (WA)

Sharlene Harris, Group National Entertainment Manager, ALH – Live Venues (National)

Stephen Wade, CEO Select Music – Booking Agency (NSW)