Meet The Man Who Is Going To Revive St Kilda's Live Music Scene

With local council elections set to go ahead throughout Victoria this month, St Kilda local and founding member of the St Kilda Live Music Community, Nick Haines, is throwing his hat in the ring to fight to save the city's music scene. 

Haines will run as an independent candidate for Lake Ward in the City of Port Phillip and having lived in St Kilda for the last 20 years, the music promoter says there has been a "nine year hole in the creative economy" in the area since the demise of beloved venue The Palace, as well as "delayed action on the St Kilda Triangle site".

"I don’t want to be living in an area where a single complainant can close down a record store, live music venue or a bookshop, and that’s what’s been happening in St Kilda," Haines said in a statement. 

"That leaves our existing venues slugging it out to keep live music… alive. I believe that Council needs to work with live venues, not against them. Live music needs a friend on council, and I will be its best friend."

Some of the initiatives Haines aims to work on include helping music venues with soundproofing issues, fostering an environment for musicians who want to play in the area, working with larger venues to attract big name international and national acts to the City of Port Phillip and introducing walking tours to celebrate the city's musical history. 

"The City of Port Phillip has gone from being an epicentre of new, original live music to a backwater," Haines' statement continues.

"Whether this was on purpose or due to neglect, the fact is it has happened and I will work to redress this. Live music encourages visitors to the area and employs locals, as well as giving locals entertainment in their own suburb. It’s a win/win situation for everyone."

The election is to take place on Saturday, 22 October. For details on how to vote, including more information on Haines' background, click here.