22 live music venues across Queensland receive Government funding

The Queensland Government’s Round 2 funding of $2.3 million to 22 live music venues will support smaller Brisbane venues such as The Junk Bar, as well as larger venues like The Fortitude Music Hall, The Zoo and regional venues on the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Toowoomba.

The State Government is investing nearly $11 million for the live music sector including funding to 37 venues, in their ongoing response to the COVID-19 health directives.

Queensland Minister for the Arts, Leeanne Enoch said the important rollout of immediate Government funding through round 2 of the Live Music Support Program is helping to ease the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on Queensland’s live music industry.

Minister Enoch advised “we are working closely with the live music industry, including QMusic as Queensland’s contemporary music peak body, to continue addressing the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.”

QMusic Chief Executive, Kris Stewart advised “having a live music industry for audiences to return to post-COVID will only happen if we retain the venues where musicians can perform, and this funding injection by Arts Queensland to these successful venues could well be the factor that allows them to remain viable.”

Minister Enoch continued “our Government recently amped up investment in our live music industry, with funding of $7 million in the 2021-22 budget.

“Live music venues were quickly able to access this support through Round 2 of the Live Music Support program, off-setting venue costs, and supporting programming and artist fees.

“This investment acknowledges the important role live music venues play in discovering, developing and showcasing Queensland talent and creating employment opportunities for musicians, technicians, venue staff and other enterprises within the broader industry.

“We have committed to more than $79 million worth of initiatives to support the arts and cultural sector through COVID-19, including a $22.5 million Recovery Package.

Minister Enoch added “our live music industry supports strong economic outcomes in Queensland with Brisbane’s music industry alone worth an estimated $428 million to our local economy.

“We are working closely with the live music industry, including QMusic as Queensland’s contemporary music peak body, to continue addressing the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.”

The Arts and Cultural Recovery Package is an important down-payment on Creative Together 2020 - 2030, the State Government’s 10-year Roadmap a Queensland that is renewed and transformed by arts, culture and creativity.

For more information, go to https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/

Live Music Support program - Round 2 funding outcomes as of September 2021.

• Elsewhere Pty Ltd, Surfers Paradise - $99,155

• Brooklyn Standard, Brisbane - $100,000

• The Triffid, Newstead - $100,000

• Woolly Mammoth, Fortitude Valley - $60,000

• Slackers Pty Ltd, Fortitude Valley - $67,226

• The Brightside, Fortitude Valley - $180,000

• NightQuarter, Sunshine Coast - $300,000

• The Met Hotel, Toowoomba - $32,300

• Mrs J. Rabbits Speakeasy, Woolloongabba - $40,467

• Miami Marketta, Miami - $150,000

• The Flamin’ Galah, Brisbane - $119,000

• Fortitude Music Hall, Fortitude Valley - $300,000

• Tomcat Bar, Fortitude Valley - $60,000

• Brisbane Jazz Club, Kangaroo Point - $100,000

• Suzie Wongs Good Time Bar, Fortitude Valley - $100,000

• The Junk Bar, Ashgrove - $37,050

• Solbar, Maroochydore - $100,000

• The Zoo, Fortitude Valley - $60,000

• Banshees Bar & Artspace, Ipswich - $22,507

• The Bearded Lady, West End - $39,861

• The Tivoli Theatre, Fortitude Valley - $300,000

• Bar Wunder, Toowoomba - $30,800

Image top: Suzie Wongs Good Time Bar, Fortitude Valley received $100,000; Image above: Banshees Bar & Artspace, Ipswich received $22,507.