Money is being injected into the Australian music scene to keep it alive through multiple funding programs.
Two of the major funds at the moment are the Contemporary Music Fund by the NSW Government and the Australian Governments Revive Live program.
The Contemporary Music Fund has recently allocated a combined A$2.25 million emergency funding to Bluesfest in Byron Bay, Lost Paradise on the Central Coast, Your and Owls in Wollongong, Listen Out and Field Day in Sydney.
The fund is in response to a slew of cancelled festivals including Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival, Spilt Milk and Groovin’ the Moo.
“The post covid era has been a financial nightmare for music festivals in NSW,” Music and Night-time Economy Minister John Graham said.
“The government needed to step in to save the furniture, and the feedback is that this fund has helped some of these festivals survive.”
The NSW government hopes that injecting $500,000 into each festival will encourage people to buy more tickets, help local regional economies, and keep the Australian music industry alive.
“We can’t afford to lose that cultural experience because the festivals can’t afford to pay their rising bills,” Graham said.
“The festival circuit is a vital part of the live music industry which employs almost 15,000 people. It’s too important to lose, that’s why we’re backing festivals with emergency funding and reforms that bring down their costs.”
The Revive Live program also aims to provide critical support to Australian-owned live music venues and festivals showcasing Australian talent.
Recently, the Australian Government announced an additional $16.4 million for the program, which has been met with open arms by APRA AMCOS, who assist artists with music licensing.
“This investment is a welcome and vital boost for Australian music. It recognises the role of live music and festivals not only as powerful cultural experiences, but as essential stages for discovering and showcasing the next generation of Australian artists,” Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS said
"It builds on the momentum of last month’s federal budget, which made clear that music is not just a creative pursuit, it’s a national asset driving jobs, tourism, export and local communities.
“Strengthening access to stages and audiences across the country will help ensure more great Australian music is heard, valued and celebrated, at home and around the world.”
The funding announcement comes a week after 20 leading music organisations released Vote Music 2025, a united platform ahead of the federal election that outlines key steps the government can take towards ensuring the future of Australian music.
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