The first State of the Scene report, to be released this week, confirms NSW is Australia’s music powerhouse. With 55 dedicated live music venues, 453 regular and ongoing venues, 56 large-scale multipurpose venues, and 231 venues that offer live music as an ancillary function, the report confirms there are now 795 live venues across NSW.
This report provides an important baseline for the sector and for the NSW Government to continue to build upon.
The State of the Scene report acted as the first-ever census of live music in NSW, using feedback from 750 industry participants and 550 members of the public who attend live music gigs.
Feedback from industry in the development of the inaugural State of the Scene report also revealed several barriers to growth for the sector, including:
- a high-cost environment impacting financial viability of live music venues, including cost-of-living pressure for audiences;
- regulatory red tape reducing operating capacity of venues;
- expensive pricing and security environments for venue operators;
- changing audience behaviors and fragmented media landscape;
- complex government policy and grant schemes;
- lack of mid-career growth opportunities and reduction in youth live music spaces and all ages events;
- access and inclusivity; and
- public transportation.
The 2024-25 Budget will build on the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to building better, more vibrant communities, with more than $45.4 million in funding for strategic support for artists and live venues through funding to Sound NSW and the Office of the 24-Hour Commissioner.
The Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner will receive $26.9 million to empower the night-time economy industry and local councils through regulatory reform, grants programs, precinct-based initiatives, digital tools, and other support to help create diverse, safe, and vibrant communities across NSW.
This will enable the Office to support communities and businesses across the state - those that make our cities lively and exciting, employ people, and contribute to a culturally rich, diverse, inclusive, and innovative nightlife.
Sound NSW will continue to build and support the role that the contemporary music industry plays in the night-time economy, with $18.5 million to deliver programs that drive audience and international market development, strengthen the live music ecosystem, and champion NSW artists and stories.
Combined, these investments will make it fairer and easier for businesses, artists, and communities to develop and support their music cultures and night-time precincts.
That means less red tape, reduced risk of getting shut down by unfair complaints, and removing hidden costs to give certainty and to encourage communities and businesses to innovate.
This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to build better communities for NSW. To ensure we have vibrant, well-connected neighborhoods.
A plan to build a better NSW.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Music and the Night-Time Economy, John Graham:
“We have never known the full number of venues or had a clear picture of their economic impact of live music in NSW. Now we want to grow that number.
“What this shows is not only the number of venues that offer live music across the state, but the different types of venues and the important roles they play in their community, as well as the enormous social, economic impacts and jobs the industry provides.
“Without knowing this detail, it’s impossible to grow. This data will allow Government to better respond to industry and audience needs, and target bringing more venues online which may currently have the capacity to offer live music but aren’t doing so.
“Contemporary music and the night-time economy are pivotal threads in the creative and economic fabric of our society. That is why we’re investing over $45 million into both music and the night-time economy in the 2024-25 Budget.”
About the Office of the 24-Hour Commissioner
- In November 2023, the NSW Parliament passed the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner Act 2023, making the role a permanent, statutory appointment.
- The Act specifically outlines the remit of the Commissioner as statewide, placing a renewed focus on how the Office can adapt and expand its programs and initiatives to key urban centers across Greater Sydney, Wollongong, Central Coast, Newcastle, and regional NSW.
- The Office will deliver a refreshed 24-Hour Economy Strategy and support councils and businesses through capacity-building workshops, mentoring, and grant opportunities to enhance and manage their unique nightlife precincts.
About Sound NSW
- Established in 2023, Sound NSW is a dedicated office within the NSW Government committed to the growth, development, and promotion of contemporary music in NSW.
- In 2023-24, Sound NSW has delivered direct support to the industry through target initiatives to help soundproof venues, support NSW touring artists with touring, recording, and promotion, as well as supporting artist managers and critical support bodies.
- The data and stakeholder feedback will be used to inform the NSW Government’s work to support industry and artists, including the development and implementation of the NSW Government’s 10-year Contemporary Music Strategy, due for release later this year.
About Liquor & Gaming Reforms
- The NSW Government’s Vibrancy Reforms have increased the incentives for extended trading hours to host live music and will prevent single noise complainants from shutting down venues.
- Under the former government, NSW lost more than half its music venues, with just 133 venues registered to participate in incentives with Liquor & Gaming NSW as live music and performance venues across the state in March 2023. Since then, 157 pubs, clubs, and other live venues have joined the list, more than doubling the number of establishments that qualify for the extended trading incentives in return for staging live music and backing local musicians.
- The Liquor & Gaming NSW list will continue to be an important source of information for the NSW Government, but this census provides a comprehensive view of the music ecosystem, including capturing live music venues that do not hold a liquor license, that assists in our ultimate goal – to grow music in NSW.
