Vic Govt Announces More Music Funding Amid Surprise City Performances

The Victorian Government has today announced additional funding for music via new grants that will allow artists to record, play, create music videos and more as the city continues to come alive with pop-up performances.

The latest round of its Music Works funding program will benefit artists and businesses across the state, with 77 projects activating close to 7,000 music industry professionals, all thanks to grants totalling almost $1.7 million.

The new funding has been allocated in an effort to help artists “reconnect with audiences, pursue new business opportunities, advance their careers and recover from the impacts of the pandemic”.

Among the recipients is Alice Skye, who will use the money for her third album after today performing a pop-up gig outside Hamer Hall as part of the state government’s On The Road Again initiative.

The $9 million initiative has featured some of the biggest names in Aus music, such as Daryl Braithwaite, Gordi, Vika & Linda, Tones & I and more, performing pop-up sets across the city with stacks more to come, including a performance from Kaitt tomorrow.

The busking program will see close to 700 performances total, while On The Road Again expands to the suburbs later this year as it continues to deliver events across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

“Through On The Road Again we’re filling Melbourne’s city streets with music from some of Victoria’s most captivating talent, providing even more reasons to rediscover our nation’s cultural capital,” Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson said.

“These paid gigs partnered with vital support for venues and the latest Music Works grants are ensuring Victoria’s celebrated live music industry can continue to reactivate and thrive.”

City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Cr Sally Capp added: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the Victorian Government to bring the buzz to Melbourne, showcasing our city’s spectacular live music scene with surprise gigs by some of our best and brightest performers.

"Music is central to Melbourne’s identity, and we’ll continue to work with the industry to support and promote performers, producers and venues as they bounce back.”

For a full list of Music Works grant recipients click here, and for more details on upcoming performances via On The Road, click here. Busking performances will be revealed the day before they happen via the What’s On Melbourne Instagram.