More than 100 venues across Australia will benefit from round one of the Live Music Australia program that is designed to assist in the national recovery of the live music sector from the impacts of COVID-19.
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP today announced the successful recipients of 88 grants, totalling more than $2.5 million, to support the immediate needs of the Australian live music industry.
The program is funding venues in every state and territory, from pubs in the remote outback, to clubs and theatres in major capital cities.
In congratulating the successful applicants, Minister Fletcher said the grants would help small to medium venues bring more home‑grown live music to Australian communities.
"These grants will fund upgrades to venues and equipment, help develop a venue's capacity to present live music professionally, and support restarting performances post COVID-19 restrictions," Minister Fletcher said.
"This funding will support the development, growth and innovation of Australian contemporary live music by increasing performance opportunities to showcase the diverse talent of Australian artists."
In August, the Government announced the opening of the Live Music Australia program, which will deliver funding of $5 million annually over four years. The funding will:
- Enable businesses to build/rebuild their capacity for programming activity, as restrictions are lifted and venues reopen;
- Increase performance opportunities for original contemporary music by Australia artists; and
- Support partnerships, collaboration and networks across the Australian live music industry.
Round two of the program is now open for applications. Round two will again provide support to small to medium venues, as they begin to reopen and resume the regular performance of original Australian live music. Applications for round two will close on 18 February 2021.
The Australian Government invests around $750 million in the arts and cultural sector each year through a diverse range of programs. This program is part of the $30.9 million Australian Music Industry Package announced in March 2019.
For the list of round one recipients and information on how to apply for round two, visit: www.grants.gov.au or www.arts.gov.au
The successful projects for round one of the Live Music Australia program are:
Organisation name |
Activity description |
Funding |
Australian Capital Territory |
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Capital Brewing Co Pty Ltd |
Transformation of the Capital Brewery into a full-time live music venue with a program of original, live gigs from the finest musicians from the Canberra region and across Australia. |
$34,910 |
NTF Industries |
Infrastructure upgrade at Sideway, Canberra, increasing live music performances. |
$23,049 |
New South Wales |
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Albury Hotel Pty Ltd |
Equipment upgrades for live music events at Kinross Woolshed, Albury. |
$20,744 |
Beach Hotel Byron Bay Pty Ltd |
Upgrades to live music equipment, to extend performance zones in the venue, to increase performance of Australian original live music. |
$25,000 |
Bent on Food |
Installation of a professional entertainment space at Bent on Food to enable more live music and improve regional touring circuits. |
$24,802 |
Blue Mountains City Council trading as Blue Mountains Theatre |
Installation of audio speakers for quality sound production and relaunch of the venue, and presentation of Wanderlust Concert Series 2021. |
$37,869 |
Boogie Woogie Beach House & Flow Bar |
Improved infrastructure to deliver higher quality music performances. |
$24,200 |
Bowcliff Pty Ltd trading as Bridge Hotel |
Support for new equipment at The Bridge Hotel, Rozelle. |
$25,000 |
Byron Youth Service Inc |
Supporting the refurbishment of the Green Room at Byron Youth Activity Centre to enable it to continue as a sustainable and iconic youth music performance venue. |
$22,700 |
Century Venues The Concourse Pty Ltd |
Equipment upgrades to support the establishment of The Concourse as a contemporary live music venue in Northern Sydney. |
$39,910 |
City Recital Hall Limited |
Equipment upgrade for City Recital Hall, Sydney to support amplified music programming. |
$25,000 |
Crowbar NSW Pty Ltd |
2021 artist programming for Crowbar Sydney to aid the return of regular live music activity. |
$26,000 |
Cultural Arts Collective |
Support for the Cultural Arts Collective's showcase of diverse multicultural artists and music genres, in a family friendly venue in Inner West Sydney. |
$53,900 |
Dubbo Hotel Pty Ltd trading as Garden Hotel Dubbo |
Support for the Garden Hotel's power upgrade to develop a sustainable live music venue base and increase performance opportunities in regional Australia. |
$25,000 |
Global Circus Pty Ltd trading as Camelot Lounge |
Speaker upgrades for the Camelot Lounge and Django at Camelot, to improve the experience for musicians and patrons alike. |
$24,804 |
Hdr Hospitality Pty Ltd trading as The Victoria Hotel |
Support for Little Albert's at The Victoria Hotel in Bathurst to upgrade its venue and train staff in sound mixing. |
$25,000 |
K R Bajracharya & K Gurung |
Venue upgrades and support for a live music program at Smokey Horse, Braidwood, showcasing emerging and established performers. |
$26,016 |
Marrickville Bowling and Recreation Club Ltd |
Marrickville Bowling Club showcasing a program of live music. |
$18,600 |
Mary's Group Australia Pty Ltd |
Support for a weekly concert series at The Lansdowne Hotel, featuring live performances by local and touring Australian artists. |
$46,575 |
Metro Theatre Sydney Pty Ltd |
Re-opening its doors with the 'Revive The Metro 2021' Program, and purchase of a new PA. |
$65,000 |
Rowney Nominees Pty Ltd trading as Broadway Hotel Parkes |
Support for the purchase of stage, audio and light equipment to deliver performances by local musicians in Parkes. |
$11,660 |
Since I Left You Pty Ltd |
Equipment and programming support for live music events at SILY in the Sydney CBD. |
$20,000 |
The Gaelic Club Ltd |
Enhance the Gaelic Club live folk music venue in central Sydney, through upgraded sound system, stage and lighting. |
$14,000 |
The Trustee for The Douglas Trust trading as the Longyard Hotel |
Support for live music programming as part of the Longyard Hotel's Summer Music Sessions in Tamworth, NSW. |
$28,000 |
Town Hall Hotel Newtown |
Improved lighting and installation of a mobility ramp to enhance live music performances at the Townie in Newtown. |
$20,111 |
Tumut River Brewing Pty Ltd |
Support for new PA, sound attenuation and training to grow Tumut River Brewing Company's live music presence. |
$12,716 |
Upper Lansdowne Memorial Hall |
Support for purchase of PA and lighting at the Upper Lansdowne Hall, NSW Mid-Coast region, to enable outdoor concerts and an expanded live music program. |
$11,610 |
Wagga Wagga City Council |
Purchase of sound and lighting equipment to increase outdoor music performances in the Wagga Cultural Precinct. |
$17,954 |
Northern Territory |
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Blacken Pty Ltd |
Live music program expansion to sustain, support and strengthen the Central Australian music scene. |
$34,900 |
Happy Yess Community Arts Incorporated |
12 month tech mentor program to provide paid on the job experience to local tech graduates. Delivered by Happy Yess, Darwin, Northern Territory. |
$27,516 |
The Trustee for The Wilkinson Family Trust trading as the Epilogue Lounge |
Support for the Epilogue Lounge "Live On The Rooftop" series presenting live music in Alice Springs. |
$36,000 |
Queensland |
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Brisbane Powerhouse |
Support for music programming in the iconic Brisbane Powerhouse building. |
$37,500 |
Cairns Regional Council Tanks Arts Centre |
Programming assistance to reactivate the live original Australian music program at the Tanks Art Centre, Cairns. |
$50,000 |
Cooroy RSL & Citizens Club Inc |
Purchase of a portable stage for Cooroy RSL to support weekly live music showcasing local original musicians. |
$16,818 |
Easy Speakers Pty Ltd |
Increase in performance space and onstage rigging for the Black Bear Lodge in Fortitude Valley. |
$11,838 |
Fraser Coast Regional Council |
Program to deliver live musical experiences across Fraser Coast including smaller communities. |
$33,570 |
Imperial Hotel Eumundi |
Support for a live music series at the Imperial Hotel in Eumundi, Queensland. |
$30,000 |
PPJ (QLD) Pty Ltd |
The Goat Cafe and Bar audio production upgrade and installation, plus music program to develop Rockhampton in the east coast touring circuit. |
$56,000 |
Scenic Rim Brewery Pty Ltd |
Renovation of existing deck at Scenic Rim Brewery, Mt. Alford creating disabled access to an all-weather live music stage. |
$6,945 |
Sol Bar Live Pty Ltd |
New production equipment and venue upgrade to enhance performer and attendee experience at Solbar, Coolum, on the Sunshine Coast. |
$22,285 |
Surat & District Development Association Inc |
Programming support for regular live performances by Australian artists in Surat, outback Queensland. |
$5,800 |
Tamborine Hotel Investments Pty Ltd trading as the Bearded Dragon Hotel |
Support for PA upgrade and young artist programming at the Bearded Dragon, Tamborine. |
$46,285 |
The Met Hotel |
Purchase of equipment to increase the sound quality of live music performances and cater for more established artists at The Met Hotel, Toowoomba. |
$24,918 |
The Tivoli Theatre |
Support for programming costs for The Tivoli's Open Season - Fall Program. |
$50,000 |
The Trustee for Knight Pub Trust trading as Julia Creek Hotel |
Upgrade of outdoor entertainment area to present live music acts in the outback. |
$25,000 |
Two Smoking Barrels Pty Ltd |
Funding to enable the Woolly Mammoth in Brisbane to deliver diverse live music programming and venue improvements post COVID-19. |
$57,101 |
South Australia |
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City of Playford - Northern Sound System |
Northern Sound System showcases live music program in Elizabeth, South Australia. |
$34,000 |
Jive |
Supporting a recovery and return to live music at Jive in Adelaide. |
$30,000 |
Lion Arts Factory |
Lion Arts Factory to present high calibre program of domestic talent to bring live music to Adelaide post-COVID. |
$39,000 |
Rhino Room Pty Ltd |
Funding to enable the Rhino Room to showcase 26 shows in the post-COVID era. |
$19,000 |
Sevenhill Hotel |
Support for live music performances at the historic Sevenhill Hotel in the Clare Valley. |
$3,000 |
The Barn at Wombat Flat |
Funding the Barn at Wombat Flat to support venue upgrade and programming of live music performances in regional South Australia. |
$27,897 |
Wheatsheaf Pty Ltd |
Assistance to reinstate and strengthen original Australian live music programming at The Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide. |
$37,400 |
Tasmania |
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Hobart Brewing Company |
Support for Red Shed Live, series of concerts showcasing local, original and regional bands of diverse genres in Hobart. |
$16,800 |
Parkham Community Inc |
Purchase of sound and lighting equipment for local musicians using Parkham Hall and upgrade of venue's electrical system. |
$13,528 |
Rektango |
Funding to support equipment upgrades at Rektango, Hobart to improve presentation of live music performances. |
$12,500 |
The Chook & The Gorilla's Magical Booze Barn Adventures Pty Ltd |
Support for The Brisbane Hotel in Hobart to provide higher quality live music performances. |
$22,000 |
The Grand Poobah Bar |
Funding for equipment to support musical performances of artists from across Tasmania. |
$30,000 |
Barkmill Tavern & Bakery Pty Ltd |
Upgrade of current music system to begin delivering live acoustic sessions with Tasmanian artists at the Bark Mill Tavern in Swansea, Tasmania. |
$7,666 |
Victoria |
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Cactus Studio Pty Ltd |
Upgrades to equipment and support for performance costs at the Cactus Room in Thornbury. |
$16,000 |
Charge Impulse Pty Ltd trading as Colour Nightclub |
Venue upgrade, live music programming and professional development at Colour Nightclub, Carlton. |
$39,100 |
Famous Four Pty Ltd |
Upgrade of equipment and infrastructure at New Guernica, Melbourne to present quality live music safely. |
$40,000 |
Furze Brothers Pty Ltd |
Support for programming and presentation of original live music at The Bridge Hotel, The Theatre Royal and The Taproom post-COVID restrictions. |
$47,820 |
Ian S McLean |
Support for infrastructure improvements and professional development at Bakehouse Studios, Melbourne. |
$39,660 |
Jesuit Social Services Ltd |
Infrastructure support for The Artful Dodgers to present more original and diverse young voices through more Melbourne Megaphone Music Showcases. |
$25,000 |
Live Nation Australia Venues Pty Ltd |
The purchase and installation of a curtain in auditorium to increase flexibility in venue capacity and accommodate a larger variety of events. |
$31,092 |
Loop 23 Pty Ltd |
Support for Loop in Melbourne to support purchase of equipment, artist fees and marketing to host quality eclectic live music performances. |
$25,400 |
Merton Holdings Pty Ltd trading as Swamplands Bar |
Support for original music performances at Swamplands Bar, Thornbury. |
$23,340 |
Miss Mills Touring Pty Ltd |
Support for programming costs as part of the John Curtin Hotel's 'Back to the Pub' initiative. |
$50,000 |
Night Cat Holdings trading as The Night Cat |
Support for live music programming at the Night Cat post-COVID restrictions. |
$30,000 |
No Retreat Pty Ltd trading as The Retreat Hotel |
Funding for audio equipment and staff training to support live music at the Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. |
$21,485 |
Nomata Pty Ltd |
Upgrade the PA system in the Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy to provide quality Australian original live music. |
$15,000 |
Paris Cat Pty Ltd as trustee for the Paris Cat Trust |
Funding for original artists and bands to perform at Melbourne's Paris Cat Jazz Club throughout 2021. |
$25,000 |
Richmond Henty Hotel Pty Ltd trading as Quality Hotel Bentinck (The Macs Hotel Portland) |
Support for Macs Hotel in Portland, Victoria, to upgrade and install a new sound system and train in-house staff. |
$48,691 |
Sophie Baring |
Upgrades at The Yorkshire Hotel to enable more live music events. |
$27,545 |
The Trustee for S.C.U Co Unit Trust |
Support for reduced capacity COVID-safe shows in 2021 at 170 Russell in Melbourne. |
$30,000 |
The trustee for the Pineapple Unit Trust trading as Laundry Bar |
Support for Laundry Bar's regeneration program curated in collaboration with local labels, cultures and communities. |
$30,000 |
The trustee for Varjhi Trust trading as Labour in Vain |
Support for live music programming at The Labour in Vain in Fitzroy, Melbourne. |
$30,000 |
Yah Yahs |
Support for infrastructure and soundproofing upgrades at Yah Yahs, Melbourne. |
$24,223 |
Western Australia |
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Ausway Nominees Pty Ltd trading as Mojos |
Mojo's purchase of new production equipment will support emerging and established artists of the Australian music industry in Fremantle. |
$25,805 |
Freo Social Hall Pty Ltd trading as Freo.Social |
Support for 'Sidebar Showcases' in Fremantle, regular weekly event for emerging artists to perform for audiences and industry. |
$24,000 |
Lucky Bay Brewing |
Supporting Lucky Bay Brewing to create a live music performance space, Esperance WA. |
$18,700 |
Ronnie Nights |
Support for purchase of equipment at Ronnie Nights will see Fremantle's entertainment sector retain another quality live music venue. |
$35,000 |
Six Degrees of Separation |
Develop and promote new original music showcase 'The Revelator' at Six Degrees, Albany, to continue to give regional musicians opportunities to perform original works publicly. |
$22,800 |
The River Hotel |
Increasing the production capacity and improving soundproofing measures for live music venue in South West WA. |
$35,933 |
Whalebone Brewing Company Pty Ltd |
Support for Whalebone Brewing Company to host more live music and provide performance opportunities along the North West WA touring circuit. |
$50,000 |
Good Things in Life Pty Ltd trading as the Settlers Tavern |
Support for live gigs at Settlers Tavern in Margaret River, including stage lighting upgrades and promotion activities. |
$43,625 |
Jazz Fremantle |
Jazz Fremantle - Promotion of young Australian jazz musicians. |
$10,000 |
