Aussie Music Festival Pays All Acts In Full After COVID-forced Cancellation

In some positive news for local artists amidst the COVID pandemic, it has been confirmed that despite its cancellation, all musicians featured on the 2020 Brunswick Music Festival line-up were paid their fees in full.

The annual Melbourne festival kicked off on 9 March and was scheduled to run through to 22 March, however due to the coronavirus outbreak the 2020 festival was called off on 16 March, resulting in the cancellation of 15 shows. 

Moreland City Council have confirmed to The Music that because artist fees were already accounted for within Council’s festival program budget, all acts on the line-up were paid in full. 

“Moreland Council recognises the importance of a thriving arts and cultural sector as being the lifeblood of our local community, with a range of benefits including economic, health and wellbeing and building social cohesion," Moreland Mayor, Cr Lambros Tapinos, told The Music.

“We wanted to support the artists and contractors that work so hard preparing for the festival. We wanted to ensure that this work was deservedly remunerated to those who make the festival happen and we hope to continue this much-loved event in 2021 and beyond.

“Our focus has been to provide the best support where we can to our community during the COVID-19 crisis, including support for individuals, businesses and in this case artists, so we can get through this pandemic together.”