Sydney, 6 February 2022: The Night Time Industries Association welcomes the NSW Government’s plans to provide one-off $50,000 grants to support pubs and clubs introducing live music as an alternative revenue stream. The NTIA is urging the Government to ensure the Transition Taskforce consults live music operators and the performance industry on how this scheme should be rolled out and introduce practical support for venues putting on live music for the first time.
Night Time Industries Association CEO Mick Gibb says that getting more live music into more venues is a great step forward for the night time economy. However, to have the desired impact, longer term support and industry development will be needed to help pubs and clubs make the transition to host live music.
“This is welcome news for night time industries and the public keen to see more live music across NSW. Whether you’re in Sydney’s Inner West or far western NSW, a pub gig has a special place in our music scene.
“Our Youth Advisory Council has made it clear to us that entertainment and performance are the makers of a great night out. We also know there’s a huge economic benefit to neighbouring restaurants, bars and businesses when live music becomes part of the community.
“This is a welcome initiative, and NTIA would encourage the Government to broaden this support to existing venues that don’t have gaming to introduce live music into their offering also.
“The key to making this grant program work will be the longer term industry development and support initiatives that educate venues putting on gigs for the first time. There’s an enormous opportunity here, but we need to get it right.
“Consulting with artists and industry experts will be a crucial step to help venues navigate the do’s and don’ts of live music. There are practical considerations to putting on live performance which first time venues will need help and guidance to work through.
“It’s important that this grant program isn’t a ‘set and forget’ initiative and that it ties in with broader arts and cultural policies to build the capacity and capability of artists, musicians and venue operators.
“We look forward to seeing more detail on how this policy will be rolled out.”
