Jimmy Barnes ProfileMusic legend Jimmy Barnes performed outside Parliament House last night in a bid to raise awareness of the hardships those in the music industry face.
As ABC reports, Barnes performed an acoustic version of his classic hit, Flame Trees, in a parliamentary courtyard in front of politicians, staff members and industry figures, while fellow Aussie musicians Josh Pyke and Baby Animals singer Suze DeMarchi also played at the gig.
"Musicians struggle for most of their careers," Barnes said after his performance.
"There needs to be more funding around the arts, for music, for rock music. I've seen a lot of great musicians, a lot of great songwriters, come and starve to death and disappear."
Government backbencher and one of the organisers of last night's gig, Ewen Jones, called on the government to recognise the country's music industry, after claiming that 78% of artists make less than $10,000 a year.
"We have to do better than that," Jones said.
"You won't find a more creative, a more innovative industry than music. This is perfect for our agenda."
Jones also revealed his hopes of holding a music festival of sorts on Capital Hill.
"I want to rock the house," he said.
"I think this is the people's music. I want the Queens Terrace cafe on the verandah out there looking down the drive to the War Memorial with electric guitars nice and loud ... that says the people are in the house."
