Vic Music Venues Issue SOS To State Govt: 'Live Music Venues Are Open, But We Are Not Ok'

Over 100 live music venues across Victoria have joined forces to urge the State Government to ease capacity restrictions as the cutoff date JobKeeper quickly approaches.

Corner Hotel, The Espy, The Forum and The Tote are just a few of the iconic venues that have signed an Open Letter from Save Our Scene to the Victorian Government that urges restrictions be removed before venues across the state are forced to close their doors.

"Don't be fooled — Victoria's live music venues are open, but we are not ok,” the letter reads.

“Our live music venues reopened three months ago restricted to less than 30% of regular capacities, with the support of JobKeeper. Now JobKeeper is ending, the bills are piling up, and we cannot trade out of it. 

“We call on the Victorian Government to urgently provide a clear and balanced roadmap for easing restrictions so that the live music industry can begin to trade sustainably.”

While the Open Letter applauds the Victorian Government’s $15 million Live Music Venues Program from last year, it states that “the majority of venues are still severely debt laden from nine months of closure and have only been able to reopen at such low capacities with the support of JobKeeper”.

The letter also emphasises that “live music matters as much as the tennis”.

“Music is who we are. It is a cornerstone of Victoria’s identity as the ‘creative state’, it is something that we are known for around the world, and it is a huge economic driver.

“From Victoria's small clubs to our iconic band rooms, our venues are the places where you go to listen, dance, share and celebrate music. Our stages nurture emerging artists and host Australia's and the world’s biggest touring acts.

"Victoria's live music venues have an audience of 110,000+ every Saturday night — more than an AFL grand final. The industry generates tens of thousands of jobs, from musicians and DJs to bookers, promoters, publicists, venue operators, hospitality and bar staff, technicians, security staff and a vast network of ancillary suppliers and contractors.

"Music venues are the critical infrastructure of this industry. If our venues disappear, the live music economy will disappear, and our cultural heritage will go with it. Australian artists will have fewer places to perform, to grow, to find fans. 

“Our music venues can not survive without Victorian Government intervention. So please, protect our music venues. Support our artists. Save our scene."

For more details, head to the Save Our Scene website.