A controversial US-based live music company being investigated by the US Department of Justice is behind a Victorian government plan to construct a new venue in Melbourne, raising concerns from local industry figures about athe minister for industry support and recovery, Ben Carroll, announced the state government would spend $5 million constructingthat would help with “activating underused parts of the CBD”.
Live Nation costed the venue at about $20 million and was seeking a financial contribution of $5 million from the state government. According to the documents, the proposal was supported by Development Victoria, the government’s major projects arm.While the proposal for the performance space was led by Live Nation, the documents say the venture “may need to be market-tested for value, as other players in the industry may also wish to be considered in achieving these outcomes”.
The Victorian government did not answer questions about Live Nation’s involvement in the proposal, but a spokesperson said: “The Andrews Labor government has allocated $5 million, in partnership with the City of Melbourne, to create a pop-up live performance venue which will attract new audiences and activate underused parts of the CBD.
Paul Sloan, a booking agent whose clients include Nick Cave and Amyl and the Sniffers, said that while the government had identified the importance of live music, handing over a new venue to Live Nation would be a mistake.“It makes absolutely no sense that they would fund a Saudi-backed multinational that is being called out globally for inflating event prices and reducing competition,” he said.
oz_f paulsakkal Remember SLAM-save live Australian music, a new proposal like this is great as long as there is an Australian music content quota, as Melbourne is the live music capital of Australia, surely there is some existing Australian-owned expertise & operators out in the ether….
oz_f paulsakkal Corruption is Victoria’s middle name
oz_f paulsakkal Welcome to Dan town
oz_f paulsakkal typical dan government. no checks and balances. just a lazy tender process to the best bidder for whats in it for me outcome.