Local Muso Blasts Mike Baird In New Song: 'This City Is Dying, If Not Already Dead'

It's fair to say that a large percentage of people living in Sydney are not a big fan of NSW Premier Mike Baird right now given his firm stance on the city's lockout laws and you can now add local musician Dane Laboyrie to that list, after the artist released a new song and clip this week targeting Baird and the legislation, brilliantly called Rock Out With Your Lockout. 

The catchy-as-hell tune's music video sees Laboyrie venturing through some of the once-vibrant hot spots of Sydney that are now hugely vacant of any people, while taking digs at the current Premier and the former, Barry O'Farrell (How does your Penfolds taste?").

Speaking to theMusic, the talented trumpet player who has performed with the likes of Taylor Swift, says he would love for Baird to watch the video which he filmed over the last few weeks. 

"I don’t dislike Mike Baird as a person – I don’t even know him - but I do dislike the policies he is pushing with disregard for the greater consequences on Sydney culture," Laboyrie explains.

"I am just one of many thousands of people who have been directly affected by the lockout laws, after countless live music venues, bars and clubs have had to close. 

"No matter what his 'statistics' end up saying, I am a full time musician who has been coming to the CBD most nights of the week for many years and it is obvious to anyone that the city’s culture is dying – if not already dead. Just look at the streets in my video - It was filmed in Kings Cross, George Street, Oxford street and all over the CBD. This is not what a buzzing ‘international city’ looks like." 

Laboyrie acknowledges that musicians are just one of many who have been affected by the laws, after a number of popular hot spots in the CBD, specifically Kings Cross, have been forced to close down in the last 12 months. 

While a full review of the lockout laws is expected to be delivered in August, Laboyrie hopes to see massive changes to the legislation.

"I’m not going to pretend I have all the answers but I do think other options could be explored before cementing laws into place," he says.

"As someone who often walks around the city at night, I fully back the need to reduce violence in any way we can as we all want to feel safe. But, I don’t think these laws would necessarily have stopped any of the tragic and senseless deaths which have occluded outside venues, long before the 1.30am curfew.

"I would love to see politicians sit down with musicians, venue owners and other people who work nocturnally in Sydney, to brainstorm together ways to make our streets safer without sacrificing Sydney’s once fun and vibrant identity. I hope this song can be a conversation starter, and bring life back to the streets again."

Watch the full music video below and check out Laboyrie's website here.