Government To Invest Over $1 Million In Bid To Revive Sydney's Live Music Scene

The NSW Government will inject $1.5 million into the state’s night-time economy in an effort to revive its live music and entertainment scenes.

Seven precincts will take a share of a one-off $500,000 grant, which will assist in organising street festivals, events, arts and entertainment, with selected areas also able to take advantage of a new pop-up liquor licence trial.

The state government has introduced the new licence in an effort to “help diversify the social, cultural and business offerings in the night-time economy”.

The Activate Sydney@Night initiative will include Darlinghurst, Haymarket and George Street, Parramatta, Liverpool, Newtown, Opera House to Walsh Bay, and Pyrmont.

“Sydney is one of the great world cities and has a long tradition of music and entertainment that’s to be celebrated,” Minister for Racing Paul Toole said.

“We’ve developed a package with two major elements. Firstly, we’re focusing on increasing audiences for night-time activities across Sydney and NSW, and secondly we’re cutting red tape and introducing innovative trading arrangements to enable businesses to thrive.”

A $1 million Music NOW fund has also bee unveiled, which will “support the presentation of contemporary acts and increase participation in live music events across the State”.

“Helping stage gigs, festivals and other music events in NSW will not only support a sustainable music sector but also help to contribute to a vibrant night-time economy,” Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said.

“Whether it’s a one-off gig, outdoor event or series of club nights, we’re eager to enable more opportunities for contemporary music across our cities and State. I encourage venues, promoters and musicians to come forward to apply for this opportunity.”

Meanwhile, the State Government is looking to overhaul other licences that limit what type of music venues can host, and an expert advisory panel is being established to help reduce red tape for licensed businesses in NSW.

With Labor yesterday outlining their plan to tackle NSW’s live music crisis, Shadow Minister for Music and the Night Time Economy John Graham hit back at today’s announcement.

“The bipartisan parliamentary Music Inquiry set out a plan to save the NSW music scene. The NSW Government announcement today failed to endorse or act on it,” Graham said.

“One million dollars extra for music still leaves the total NSW spending on contemporary music less than 20% of Victoria’s spending.

“The NSW Government has a three-month blitz to remove bans on live music. The government will not say how many of the 669 restrictions its blitz has removed. These restrictions still cover live music, disco, DJs, drumming, four piece bands, singer songwriters, the bass guitar, vinyl records, bands facing in a direction other than south and mirror balls.”