New Survey Finds Almost 80% Of Live Music Businesses Could Close In Months Without Support

A new survey has found Australian live music businesses will be fighting for survival within six months unless trading conditions for live music improves as JobKeeper payments cease this weekend. 

On the back of its member survey, National industry body, the Australian Live Music Business Council (ALMBC), has called on all state and territory Governments  to ease COVID-enforced restrictions on live music venues. 

Meanwhile, the ALBMC has also launched the Gig Ready Dashboard website which provides ongoing updates for venue and border restrictions around Australia.

Findings from the survey included: 

• Almost 70% of live music businesses have seen their revenue drop by 75-100% since lockdowns began. Many have had little to no income at all
• 77% of businesses will only survive the next six months unless trading conditions improve. 45% report it may only be three months before they are forced to close
• Restrictions on venue capacities present the greatest barrier to profitability for the live industry as it recovers - closely followed by the loss of wage support, interstate border closures and a lack of certainty and confidence across the industry.
• The uncertainty of the past year has negatively impacted the mental health of almost 93% of live music business owners and workers

“The perception that live music is back disguises the devastating reality facing our industry,” ALMBC Executive General Manager, Craig Spann, said.

“Those shows that are being presented are hampered by restrictions and crowd limits making them unprofitable and unsustainable, with many venues running at well under half their usual capacity for the indefinite future.

“Meanwhile, national tours have not been feasible since March last year. Snap lockdowns and wildly varied quarantine conditions have robbed the industry of confidence while also losing revenue and increasing costs – losses are significant and are putting our industry even further behind as we try to recover.

“Our hands are tied with Government policy preventing us from getting back to work supporting our employees and the thousands of small businesses around the country that are integral to the industry.”

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To combat snap border closures and allow artists to crew to continue travelling interstate, the ALMBC has proposed the implementation of the Essential Live Music Industry Worker Permit.

Those who are approved for a permit would "liaise directly with relevant health authorities to notify of travel and adhere to clear guidelines – developed in partnership with health authorities – to eliminate contact with the broader community and audiences" if a border closure is triggered.

“With next to no community transmission, we are confident that we can work with authorities to protect the community in our venues while looking after the future of our industry,” Spann said.

“All we ask is that Government at all levels work with us and listen to the deep concerns of our members.”