The future of Australia's live music industry is being questioned at a federal government inquiry after a challenging year of venues closing and major festivals cancelling events.
"There's evidence that the benefits of live music — economic, cultural, and social, including for health and wellbeing — can be significant and keenly felt in regional and remote Australia," said Dr Green. "If you're paying 120 pounds to see Taylor Swift and it becomes 121 , that doesn't change it. If you're suddenly finding a new way to put 2, 3, 4, 5 million pounds back into the foundations of live music, that is transformational."Deputy director of Arts Queensland Kirsten Herring also suggested using local music at large-scale community events, like sport, to allow up-and-coming artists a greater chance to be discovered.
"We have what we call iceberg careers. For a start, the general public doesn't understand what it is we do, the amount of hours that we practice, or what goes on behind the scenes. They see the fun stuff.She told the inquiry music graduates were among the most educated and dynamic people in the country, and that losing people with a creative education could affect other industries.
He told the inquiry the food-and-beverage business model for small venues wasn't sustainable any more.He said the closure of these venues left a gap in the performing market that could be insurmountable to smaller artists.All the parties giving evidence at the inquiry said there needed to be a better understanding of the industry and its current struggles through more research.
"We see funding for many other areas that are worthy and important … there should be some strong advocacy for the power of live music. At a time when we have the most digitally connected community, we are the most disconnected people.