Live music venues in NSW unite as part of Save Our Stages campaign

October 8, 2020

Over 60 NSW venues are calling for urgent assistance from the NSW Government to ensure the "ongoing survival" of the live music industry in the state.

Uniting as part of the ‘Save Our Stages’ campaign, venues including the Enmore Theatre, The Lansdowne Hotel, The Metro, Crowbar, Oxford Art Factory, The Red Rattler and Anita’s Theatre are lending their names to the campaign, which is calling on the NSW Government to work with MusicNSW and other industry representatives to deliver a targeted financial stimulus package for the sector.

As reported by the NME, campaign organisers say that from a survey of 47 venues in the NSW, over $70 million in earnings has been lost since Coronavirus-related restrictions on mass gatherings and venues were implemented back in March.

An open letter to the NSW Government from the campaign’s representatives states “live music in NSW is under threat. Unless there is immediate government intervention, we risk losing 85% of the state’s live music venues within the next 12 months. With the biggest music industry in the country, NSW is home to some of Australia’s greatest artists and performers, biggest crowds and world-class stages.

“Our music creates a sense of pride, gives us a voice, introduces us to new ideas, new friends, new hope. Live music is our lifeblood and our lifeline in times of crisis. But now live music in NSW is on the verge of collapse.

“Live performance is essential to an artist’s career development and makes up around 70 per cent of their music income. Without stages to play on, artistic careers in NSW will become almost impossible to maintain, and an industry which employs 23,000 people and contributes $3.6billion to NSW’s economy will crumble.”

The letter says the NSW Government “has yet to act” comparing its inaction to financial support for live venues committed by the Governments in Queensland and Victoria.

The Save Our Stages campaign’s organisers are asking NSW residents to show their support by signing a petition.

Click here to view the petition.

For more information go to www.sosnsw.org/

25th September 2020 - NSW Government relaxes restrictions for cinemas, events, sport and theatre

24th September 2020 - Australia joins international initiative to highlight the live events sector urgently needs Government support

20th September 2020 - Live music venues to benefit industry from $13 million Victorian Government support package

10th September 2020 - Entertainment and events industry leaders say New Zealand Government is letting the sector ‘slowly die’

22nd July 2020 - Live Entertainment Industry Forum applauds Australian Government’s JobKeeper extension

25th June 2020 - Arts and entertainment funding package welcomed by Live performance industry

12th June 2020 - Live Entertainment Industry Forum welcomes potential easing of restrictions on outdoor sport and entertainment venues

9th June 2020 - Industry stakeholders unite to restart sport and entertainment

4th June 2020 - Live Performance Australia’s $345 million plan to restart and rebuild the entertainment industry

12th August 2020 - Australia’s Chief Medical Officer says ‘high risk’ live music events are still a long way off

11th August 2020 - Federal Government announces guidelines on live music restart funding

7th July 2020 - Creative Victoria launches new grant program to help music venues during lockdown

10th June 2020 - Australian music industry issues ‘SOS’ to Government

28th March 2020 - Major entertainment promoters call for Australian Government support through Coronavirus crisis

27th June 2020 - ASM Global releases operational plans for the reopening of its arenas, stadia, theatres and convention centres

30th April 2020 - ASM Global to launch environmental hygiene program

28th October 2019 - Billboard reports strong performance by ASM Global’s Australian arenas

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