Targeted Federal Government funding to support festivals and live music venues

The Australian Government, through ‘Revive Live’ is providing grants of $7.7 million to 110 organisations including 61 festival-based activities and 49 live music venues.

Established in the 2024-25 Budget, Revive Live aligns with the Government’s National Cultural Policy, Revive, which recognises the Australian music sector as a vibrant part of the nation’s arts and cultural landscape.

The $7.7 million targeted funding is aimed at helping festivals and venues continue operating under challenging conditions.

The program is providing critical support to the sector, with grants helping recipients to adapt to market pressures and improve the sustainability of their operations as the sector continues to face challenges across the country.

The funding also has a strong focus on activities that improve accessibility at venues or festivals so that more people with disabilities can participate as a performer, arts worker, or audience member.

The grants announced this week will support live music in regional, remote and metropolitan areas across the country, reflecting a diverse range of genres, organisations and audiences including First Nations, LGBTQI+, and all age events.

Among the successful applicants are:

• Gympie Music Muster in Queensland – receiving $60,000 to showcase First Nations Artists and Emerging Artists at the 2025 event.

• Party in the Paddock in Tasmania - supporting local and national artists, the four-day festival will receive $168,121 to increase accessibility.

• The Howler in Victoria – the iconic Brunswick venue will receive more than $60,000 for sound system and facility upgrades and marketing for the future.

Federal Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the funding was being delivered at a crucial time for the industry and noted “It’s no secret that the live music industry has been facing many challenges.

“Revive Live will alleviate some of the additional costs that festivals and venues are facing right now ensuring artists are paid, venues stay open and audiences can continue to enjoy live music into the future.”

Through Revive, the Government last year established Music Australia within Creative Australia, with new funding of more than $69 million to support and promote the Australian contemporary music industry to increase discoverability and develop markets and audiences.

More information about Revive Live including successful applicants can be found here.

Image. Credit: Gympie Music Muster