So far 2020 has done a lot of things to put this wonderful industry on edge, but the way everyone has rallied to save and fight for it has been inspiring to see.
That fight continues and today 61 independent live music venues across New South Wales have joined forces to launch an online petition calling on the NSW Government to provide immediate support to save the state’s live music industry.
Save Our Stages is calling on the NSW Government to work with MusicNSW and industry representatives to devise a stimulus package that will ensure the ongoing survival of live music venues.
CEO and Founder of the Oxford Art Factory, Mark Gerber, said: “The Queensland and Victorian Governments have committed millions of dollars in support to their venues, we now look to the NSW Government to show their support.
“Without NSW Government intervention, many of our favourite venues will soon be forced to close and with them, tens of thousands of jobs will be lost.”
COVID safety measures, social distancing restrictions, reduced capacities and higher overheads have put pressures on the lean profit models of live music venues. This in turn means the artists and communities who depend on live music for their existence are really struggling and need help.
Tyla Dombroski, Co-Owner of Crowbar Sydney said, “Live music venues help to bring people together and provide an essential space for music, culture and community to flourish. We must do everything we can to protect and save our local venues before they disappear forever.” To help protect our local music venues, support our artists and save live music in NSW, sign the petition at: www.sosnsw.org.
