‘They Will Not Survive’: New Qld Music Alliance Demands More Venue Support

Gold Coast’s live entertainment industry is rallying together and demanding that ongoing COVID-related restrictions around venues be amended before it’s too late.

Musicians, crew, industry workers and venue owners have united to form the Independent Entertainment Industry Alliance, a group calling for more certainty for the industry and providing recommendations to the Queensland Government that would allow venues to return to full capacity and safe touring to take place.

The IEIA hosted its first meeting at beloved Queensland venue Mo’s Desert Clubhouse in June with around 40 people within the industry in attendance.

“Our main goal right now is to lobby for an end to capacity restrictions for small to medium licensed venues and events,” IEIA co-founder Chloe Popa, who also oversees the Gold Coast Music Awards, told The Music.

“These venues, and in turn many music industry-based businesses, simply will not survive if crippling restrictions continue to be imposed on them. 

“Our music venues have cult-like followings with patrons who are more like family to them than customers, people attending gigs at their local favourite are complying with required protocols that are keeping our community safe. 

“If 26,000 strangers can apparently safely attend an event, then we want to ensure that 250 people can support live music and attend a gig.”

The IEIA is also rallying for “a border pass system for creative industry workers who rely on touring as a significant part of their income”, which is something the Australian Live Music Business Council (ALMBC) is working towards bringing to life.

“We're currently reaching out to relevant governing bodies for the music industry, to ensure that our concerns are being heard and included in discussions at the State Government level,” Popa said.

“We want to add weight to the activity already being undertaken by these organisations and strengthen the message they are tabling on our industries behalf.

Popa noted that if “one element of [the music industry] is struggling, we all are”.

“If venues are cancelling or not booking gigs, musicians have no opportunity to perform and earn an income, sound techs and roadies are out of work, aligned food and beverage providers are impacted as well. The list goes on,” she said.

“While we are seeing a prolific amount of high-quality music still being produced, we’re concerned about the long-term impacts across the industry. Not only financially, but mental health is a real concern for many people connected to the live music and entertainment sector right now.

“There’s no certainty, gigs are cancelled last minute and that might mean the loss of a week (or more) income for some people.”

READ MORE:

• Sound Advice: How You Can Help Artists & Venues Right Now
• 'A Dangerous Predicament': Why Aus Music Industry Desperately Needs A Roadmap Out Of COVID
• Aus Music Industry Calls For Longterm COVID Plan Amid New Govt Funding Announcement
• New Study Finds 95% Of People Would Be Impacted If Live Events Don't Return This Year