POWERING UP VICTORIA’S WORLD FAMOUS LIVE MUSIC INDUSTRY
The Allan Labor Government is making sure Victoria remains the live music capital of Australia, investing in gigs and festivals that light up our music industry.
Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks has announced a $3.9 million boost for music festivals, musicians, and live music venues that will share in the funding, alongside programs for emerging regional musicians, culturally and linguistically diverse artists, event producers and young performers.
The first round of 10,000 Gigs: The Victorian Gig Fund will fund 144 venues across the state to stage paid gigs by local artists – giving venues a leg up and emerging artists the chance to perform live.
Across Macedon, Major Tom’s in Kyneton and The Cosmopolitan in Trentham are successful recipients. Also part of the package, $1 million of Music Works grants will support 92 music projects involving 600 music industry professionals – giving both emerging and established artists the opportunity to take the next step in their careers.
Over the past 9 years, the program has invested almost $13 million in more than 800 projects. Live music venues awarded grants include iconic Melbourne venues such as The Tote, The Jazzlab, Mamma Chen’s and Laundry, with regional venues like Ballarat’s Volta, Barwon Heads Hotel and Theatre Royal in Castlemaine all part of the mix, along with suburban venues like District 14 in Narre Warren.
The Labor Government’s Live Music Festivals Fund will see 22 festivals in Victoria receiving grants of up to $50,000 to help them stage new or existing events.
Festival recipients include fan favourites Port Fairy Folk Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival and Riverboats Festival, alongside the return of Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues, and new events including GROUNDED to be held at Dookie Quarry, and Yass Queens Park, a queer- focused festival in Moonee Ponds.
As part of the package, the GRID Series artist development program is back in Geelong for a second year helping local emerging musicians build and establish their careers, while The Push All Ages Grants will support live music venues, booking agents, artists, promoters and community organisations across Victoria to stage events for all ages.
Multicultural Arts Victoria will present its third iteration of its NEWPRINT program, offering professional development opportunities for artists and creative workers from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Victoria's live music industry is one of the state's most vital creative sectors, and this boost will support the jobs of event organisers, artists, venue owners, staff, and crews. This investment ensures that Victoria remains Australia's music heartland, with festivals that not only entertain but also sustain our creative workforce.
The first rounds of the Live Music Festivals Fund and Victorian Gig Fund are being delivered by Music Victoria on behalf of the Labor Government. These latest grants are part of a $35.4 million package delivered in the Victorian Budget 2023/24 to support Victoria’s live music industry at all levels and in all parts of the state.
For a full list of recipients visit creative.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas
“Congratulations to two of Macedon’s favourite locals, Major Tom’s and The Cosmo. Live music showcases the best our community has to offer and I encourage people from across Macedon and beyond to support these fantastic events.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks
"Through 10,000 Gigs: The Victorian Gig Fund, the Allan Labor Government is supporting our live music venues across the state to stage paid gigs by Victorian artists and bands in the year ahead."
"I visited Major Tom's in Kyneton recently alongside local MP Mary-Anne Thomas to hear firsthand about the gigs they have coming up and the impact the Victorian Gig Fund support will have on this business."
“It’s a win for venues who are facing a challenging environment at the moment, a win for artists who will more paid performance opportunities – and a win for music lovers here in Kyneton and across Victoria.”
“We’re continuing to back our state’s live music industry at all levels, with funding for festivals and venues to stage great events and live performances, support for established artists and industry workers, and to help emerging musicians get their start in the industry.”
“While the live music sector continues to face challenges across the country, this investment will help strengthen our local industry – a vital creative sector for our state.”
