Melbourne Council Festivals Criticised For Exploiting Artists, Venues

Council-run Melbourne festivals have come under scrutiny this week for exploiting Melbourne artists and venues without adequately adding anything to the scene.

An open letter Nate Nott, co-owner of the esteemed Polyester Records record store and published on Lifted Brow, asks whether Melbourne Music Week, with its City Of Melbourne budget of $944,510 and Yarra council’s Leaps And Bounds, with $147,500, are relevant.

Nott says that both these events rely on the strength of the artists, venues, record labels and promoters for their shows, but “The problem is that neither of these two new festivals yet have a solid or reliable brand. It is the bands, the record labels, the promoters and the venues whose identities are being exploited. It is the bands, the record labels, the promoters and the venues that are taking large financial risks – much as they do every other time they put on a gig. And it is the bands, the record labels, the promoters and the venues who at the end of the festival go home, as always, with little more than taxi fare in their pockets.”

He added, “Meanwhile, what about the people of the councils and the governments? They stand up proud and proclaim loud and wide that they support the arts – and, in a sense, they do. But in a real economic sense, it is they who see the financial benefits flow into their municipalities, and thus it is they who get to keep collecting their regular and ample salaries.”

Yarra’s Mayor Jackie Fristacky told theMusic.com.au today that there was “no need to reinvent what already exists” in a defence of the festival.

“The aim of the Leaps & Bounds Live Music Festival is to support live music in Yarra by predominantly working with existing venues and those involved in music making,” she said.

“A big part of that is putting a spotlight on the great music scene that is in Yarra all year around, including record stores, a tour of iconic and historic locations, as well as number of sector development workshops on industry-specific topics.

“I understand that there is a discussion in the industry nationally at the moment about the proliferation of festivals and the impact they are having on some music scenes. Leaps & Bounds differs in that it keeps the focus on already established pubs, clubs and other venues and is part of Council's role supporting local businesses.”

A representative from Melbourne Council has so far been unable to respond to theMusic.com.au.

While supportive of the festivals, Nott's letter questions the point of both festivals. Nott asks why Leaps & Bounds, which “still suffers from a fundamental aimlessness”, feels the need to involve every venue in the Yarra district and why the “fantastic” Living Legends Series and Smith Street Dreaming “suffered from average promotion”.

"This year the Leaps and Bounds Live Music Festival was also planned to coincide with the International AIDS Conference in Melbourne, with the conference organisers identifying Yarra as the conference's Social Hub," said Mayor Fristacky. "Hence the Festival was a major part of social activities for the many thousands of delegates from overseas and interstate. 

"The Festival’s ‘brand’, for want of a better term, is Yarra venues putting on local acts and the people who go out to see live music 365 days a year. People who go out all the time might wonder what all the fuss is about, but Leaps & Bounds is about setting aside ten days in the depths of winter to celebrate what we already have. There is no need to reinvent what already exists, which is why there is no dedicated festival hub as such, or elaborate marketing hook."

He also takes aim at Melbourne Music Week’s purpose-built venues – 2011’s Kubik Melbourne, 2012’s Where?House and 2013’s The Residence at Birrarung Marr – which all required significant investment.

They “have all been aesthetically spectacular, but have been questionable as performance spaces; they have not operated as legitimate drawcards for new crowds.”

He adds, “One element on which councils and governments should be looking to capitalise is the interest of interstate and international music fans, if for nothing else than to make touring outside of Victoria a little easier for local bands.

“At the moment neither festival offers a unique showcase that someone interstate or overseas would consider worth travelling for. While each is still building up their brands up they should be making full use of the internet: perhaps online streaming of some festival events would work at getting the word out about the genuinely exciting things that are happening in Melbourne’s music world.”