'It Is Inevitable': Major Live Venue Owners Say Spaces Will Fall If Action Isn't Taken

NSW live music venue owners and operators have fronted parliament today, urging immediate assistance to ensure the industry survives the current COVID pandemic.

Today’s hearing on the impact of the pandemic on the live music industry included venue operators who oversee prominent venues in the state.

Century Venues Chief Operating Officer Sam Nardo, who runs venues such as Enmore Theatre, Factory Theatre, Metro Theatre and Max Watt’s, stated that if something doesn’t change in the next six-nine months 85% of venues will go under.

“It is inevitable. There are many factors as to why that's the case,” Nardo said.

“We have a huge reliance on borders being open and acts being able to tour, but also the operating costs of the venue. Those two things together mean it's just not viable to operate and plan."

Nardo added that paying rent will be "one of the biggest challenges we'll all be facing in the short months ahead".

Oxford Arts Factory CEO and Founder Mark Gerber noted that if current restrictions continue, his venue, which can only run at 17% capacity at the moment, “is facing a very grim future, one of possible closure and running into receivership if we can't trade as normal”.

Crowbar Sydney General Manage and Director Tyla Dombroski said that they were “booking shows through to the end of this year and into 2021, but some of these events we're rebooking for the fifth and sixth time”.

“A lot of the agents or artists are unsure when capacities will be getting back to our closer regular capacities,” Dombroski said.

She also noted that “a lot of venues” will be forced to close in the next six to nine months if there isn't some sort of support, while commenting on the fact that stadiums are benefiting from eased restrictions already.

"We've seen the recent increase for stadiums to 50% capacity with less than 1.5 metre spacing between seats,” she said.

“We have to wonder why, with such smaller capacities and easier-to-manage crowds, we can't also be considered with the reduction of these regulations."