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

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/