Other Cities To Also Protest Radio National Funding Cuts, While Melb Upgrades Venue

As musicians and industry figures rally against ABC's forthcoming funding cuts to Radio National, Melbourne's busking protest has gathered steam and upgraded to a larger venue.

The busking protest — which was announced on Wednesday and due to be held outside the ABC Studios in Southbank today — will now be held at the Federation Square Urban Garden Amphitheatre. 

Organisers have also confirmed performances from the likes of Deborah Conway & Willie Zygier (playing their song Everybody's Begging), Jeff Lang (playing Warren Zevon’s Mohammed's Radio) and Charles Jenkins (playing Elvis Costello's Radio Radio). Saxophonist Paul Williamson will provide the finale, inviting all supporters and musicians to raise their instruments in the air.

Meanwhile, other cities are also staging their own protests, with Sydneysiders protesting outside the ABC Ultimo office yesterday. Adelaide, Hobart and Perth are all staging protests today, while Brisbane will be holding theirs on 8 December. 

The protests arrive off the back of news that ABC are set to axe all but one of Radio National's music programming, leaving only flagship show The Music Show on air.

MELBOURNE - (NEW LOCATION) 

Saturday 3 December, 12-1pm, Federation Square – Urban Garden Amphitheatre (next to Alfred Deakin building on Flinders Street opposite St Paul’s Cathedral.

ADELAIDE 

Saturday 3 December, 4-6pm, Steps of Parliament of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide

HOBART 

Saturday 3 December, 12 -1pm, Salamanca Lawns (opposite Grape)

PERTH 

Saturday 3 December,12-1pm, ABC Studios, 30 Fielder Street East Perth

BRISBANE 

Thursday 8 December, 2pm, ABC Studios, 114 Grey Street South Brisbane