Australian Music Industry Crisis: Advocacy Body Sounds Alarm In Marginal Seats

Viktoria Ivanova

5 min read

Post on May 29, 2025

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The Dire State of the Australian Music Industry

The Australian music industry is in a perilous state, suffering from a confluence of factors that threaten its very survival. The challenges faced are multifaceted and require a comprehensive approach to address them effectively.

Declining Live Music Venues

The number of live music venues across Australia is dwindling at an alarming rate. This decline directly impacts artists' ability to perform, connect with audiences, and earn a living. Several key factors contribute to this worrying trend:

• Rising rents and property values: The escalating cost of commercial real estate in many Australian cities is forcing many smaller, independent venues to close their doors, unable to compete with rising rents and property taxes.
• Lack of government support for venue infrastructure and maintenance: Insufficient government funding for essential upgrades and maintenance leaves many venues struggling to meet safety standards and maintain their operational viability. This lack of support disproportionately impacts smaller, independent venues.
• Increased competition from larger, corporate entertainment options: The rise of large-scale entertainment complexes and corporate-owned venues presents increased competition, further squeezing the margins of smaller, independent operators.

Underfunded Artists & Musicians

Many Australian musicians and artists struggle to earn a living wage, despite their talent and dedication. This financial instability leads to burnout, forcing talented individuals to abandon their artistic pursuits. The underlying issues contributing to this include:

• Inadequate funding opportunities for album production, touring, and marketing: Securing funding for crucial aspects of a musical career, such as album recording, national and international tours, and effective marketing campaigns, remains a significant challenge for most Australian artists.
• High costs associated with instruments, equipment, and studio time: The expenses associated with maintaining instruments, purchasing high-quality recording equipment, and accessing professional studio time are substantial barriers to entry and career advancement for many musicians.
• Lack of access to affordable healthcare and mental health support: The unstable nature of a musical career often leaves artists without access to adequate and affordable healthcare, including crucial mental health support, leading to significant personal and professional struggles.

Lingering Effects of the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic dealt a devastating blow to the Australian live music sector, from which many businesses and artists are still struggling to recover. The long-term effects continue to significantly impact the industry:

• Prolonged venue closures leading to significant financial losses: Extended periods of lockdown and venue closures resulted in catastrophic financial losses for countless businesses, leaving many permanently unable to recover.
• Cancellation of tours and festivals resulted in lost income: The cancellation of countless tours and festivals across the country deprived artists of crucial income streams, impacting their ability to maintain their careers and livelihoods.
• Government support packages were insufficient for many: While some government assistance was provided, many artists and venues found that the support packages were inadequate to offset their substantial losses.

The Advocacy Body's Call to Action in Marginal Seats

Recognizing the severity of the crisis, leading advocacy bodies are intensifying their lobbying efforts, focusing strategically on politicians representing marginal seats. This targeted approach recognizes the significant influence these politicians hold and their heightened sensitivity to public pressure.

Targeting Marginal Seats for Maximum Impact

By concentrating their campaigns on marginal seats, advocacy groups aim to maximize their impact on policy decisions. This strategy is based on the understanding that:

• These seats are more likely to be swayed by public pressure: Politicians in marginal seats are more responsive to public opinion and community concerns, making them more receptive to advocacy efforts.
• Targeted campaigns are being launched in these electorates: Advocacy groups are running focused campaigns in marginal electorates, directly engaging with voters and highlighting the crucial need for increased support for the music industry.
• Direct engagement with local musicians and community members: Building strong relationships with local musicians and community members provides crucial grassroots support and amplifies the message on the ground.

Key Policy Demands

Advocates are pushing for a range of specific policy changes to address the critical issues facing the industry:

• Increased government funding for arts and culture programs: A substantial increase in funding is necessary to support arts and culture programs across the country.
• Tax breaks and incentives for musicians and live music venues: Tax relief and financial incentives can alleviate the burden of high operational costs and encourage investment in the industry.
• National strategy to support the growth and sustainability of the music industry: A cohesive national strategy is required to create a sustainable and thriving music ecosystem.
• Development of affordable rehearsal and recording spaces: Access to affordable and high-quality rehearsal and recording spaces is essential for artists at all levels.

Engaging the Public and Media

Raising public awareness and garnering media attention is crucial to build momentum for change. Strategies employed include:

• Highlighting the economic and cultural importance of the music industry: Emphasizing the significant contribution of the music industry to the Australian economy and cultural landscape is key to garnering support.
• Showcasing success stories and challenging negative perceptions: Sharing positive stories of success and challenging common misconceptions about the industry can build public support and understanding.
• Using social media to amplify the message and engage with potential voters: Social media provides a powerful tool for disseminating information, mobilizing supporters, and engaging directly with voters.

Conclusion

The Australian music industry is facing a severe crisis, jeopardizing the livelihoods of countless artists and the cultural richness of the nation. The advocacy body's strategic focus on marginal seats is a vital step towards achieving necessary change. Without significant government intervention, the industry faces a bleak future. We must act now to protect this vital sector. Contact your local MP and urge them to prioritize funding and support for musicians and live music venues. The future of Australian music depends on it. Let's work together to overcome this Australian music industry crisis and secure a thriving future for Australian artists.