Record year for Australian live performance industry

Live Performance Australia's Ticket Attendance & Revenue Survey shows that the 2010 was a record year for the Australian live performance industry, with the generation of $1.3 billion in revenue from 17.2 million show attendances.

Live Performance Australia (LPA) Chief Executive Evelyn Richardson said overall, revenue grew 22.6% to $1.3 billion, while attendances grew 13.5% to 17.2 million paid and unpaid tickets.

Richardson explained that "the inclusion of Moshtix and the Darwin Entertainment Centre in this year's Ticketing Survey gave a more comprehensive overview of industry trends, revenue and attendance.

"In particular, we now have a much better picture of Single Category Festivals (music festivals)."

Similarly, Non-Classical Music events in smaller venues such as pubs and clubs are better represented this year.

LPA, the peak body for Australia's live performance industry and presenter of this evening's Helpmann Awards, released the survey, which shows record revenue growth for the sector, today (1st August). It follows the 2009 Ticketing Survey wherein the LPA predicted an upswing in growth figures for the next year.

Richardson said the stand-out sectors were non-classical (contemporary) Music ,up 43.1% for revenue and up 50.1% for attendance; musical theatre up 13% for attendance and 6.3% for revenue, and circus and physical theatre up 15.1% for revenue and 34.1% attendance.

Richardson added "these sectors in particular benefited from strong international touring activity largely due to Australia's buoyant economy.

"Comedy, in its second year as a separate Survey category, performed consistently with attendance up by 3.1%, due to a combination of the strength of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and similar local events, and national tours by international comedians," said Richardson.

The data from State breakdowns shows that New South Wales and Victoria combined capture 69.1% of revenue market share.

"The strong revenue and attendance figures reflect Australians' appetite for live performance and in particular the festival and music sectors. We are looking forward to acknowledging the industry's artistic excellence and diversity at tonight's 11th annual Helpmann Awards," concluded Richardson.

LPA is the trading name of the Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA).

Click here to view the Ticket Attendance & Revenue Survey 2010.

17th June 2010 - LPA: “LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND PERFORMING ARTS CONTRIBUTES $1.1 BILLION TO THE AUSTRALIAN ECONOMY”