Live Music Fund to support Gold Coast venues, promoters and musicians

The Gold Coast live music sector is to be given a boost via the Live Music Fund which will support venues, independent local promoters, and Gold Coast based professional musicians navigate the current industry challenges.

The City of Gold Coast’s Live Music Fund was established by the Invest Gold Coast Music Office and program guidelines were developed based on direction from the Music Action Plan and Future Music initiatives memo.

Established Gold Coast musicians, venues and promoters can apply for support through Live Music Fund to help with business costs rather than being project focused. More than half must be spent on the Gold Coast.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate noted “the music industry provides more than $600 million in direct and indirect economic impact to the Gold Coast, while helping to keep our city vibrant and thriving.

“The Live Music Fund is a part of our commitment to promote and grow the city’s music industry through supporting grassroots live music via Gold Coast-based venues, musicians, and independent promoters.

“This fund builds on the support provided to musicians through our nationally recognised Music Action Plan 2021 and other City funding programs such as the Arts Development Fund.”  

Successful applicants can use the fund for business costs such as insurance, marketing and promotional materials, travel, rental equipment, and supplies.  

Professional musicians and local independent promoters can apply to receive between $5,000 and $10,000 in grants while live music venues can apply for grants between $10,000 and $15,000 with venue grants to be matched by operators.

Applications are open now and will close on 22nd November.

In the past four years, the City has contributed to the music industry with:

• 20 live music venues receiving direct financial support

• More than 28,000 people accessing networking and training

• 47 musicians and music professional securing funding

In the most recent City conducted arts participation survey (March 2023) 98% of Gold Coast residents stated that they attend one or more live music events in a year.  

For more information visit www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/About-our-city/Arts-culture/Arts-culture-initiatives/Live-music