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🇦🇺 Australia /Culture & Society

Struggling music venues get government aid as DIY shows draw crowds

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Traditional music venues like Lazybones Lounge are struggling with dwindling alcohol sales and rising costs, making their business models unsustainable.
  • The New South Wales government is providing $3.8 million in grants to 33 struggling venues for upgrades like soundproofing and new equipment.
  • Meanwhile, "DIY" music events in unconventional spaces like skate parks and backyards are attracting large crowds, offering an alternative to traditional venues.

Live music venues are facing an existential crisis as traditional business models crumble under the weight of rising costs and declining alcohol sales. Craig Pieterson, owner of Lazybones Lounge in Marrickville, has hosted nearly 70 musicians weekly for over 13 years but finds the venue's financial footing precarious.

Everyone's doing it tough. I make more money on the door occasionally than I do over the bar and we've never seen that.

— Craig PietersonOwner of Lazybones Lounge, describing the financial challenges facing traditional music venues.

"Everyone's doing it tough. I make more money on the door occasionally than I do over the bar and we've never seen that," Pieterson stated, highlighting a shift where ticket sales are becoming more crucial than bar revenue. He noted that while audiences remain engaged with music, the lack of sufficient bar spend to offset operational expenses, particularly bills, is crippling the industry.

We're investing in the core music venues, venues that are playing five or six nights a week. They're the ones employing musicians.

— John GrahamNew South Wales Minister for Music and Night-time Economy, explaining the purpose of government grants.

In response, the New South Wales government has allocated $3.8 million through a grant program to support 33 struggling venues across the state. These funds are earmarked for essential upgrades such as soundproofing, new equipment, lighting, and LED screens, aimed at enhancing the audiovisual experience to compete with digital entertainment platforms.

For me to be better at providing a product that is of high-end world class, that's the only way I'd be able to achieve it.

— Craig PietersonPieterson on the importance of venue upgrades to remain competitive.

Concurrently, a burgeoning scene of "DIY" (Do It Yourself) music events is drawing significant crowds. These performances take place in unconventional locations like skate parks, backyards, warehouses, and boxing gyms. Organizers often rely on word-of-mouth or social media for promotion, and these events typically do not serve alcohol, focusing instead on creativity and audience engagement within unique settings.

When it's just DIY with artists, there's a bit of an understanding of the need to be spontaneous and it's really special.

— EJ SonAn organizer of DIY music events, commenting on the unique nature of these gatherings.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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